In 1898 Schoenberg converted to Christianity in the Lutheran church. According to MacDonald (2008, 93) this was partly to strengthen his attachment to Western European cultural traditions, and partly as a means of self-defence "in a time of resurgent anti-Semitism". In 1933, after long meditation, he returned to Judaism, because he realised that "his racial and religious heritage was inescapable", and to take up an unmistakable position on the side opposing Nazism. He would self-identify as a member of the Jewish religion later in life.
in 1898 schoenbErG conveRTED to ChRIstianIty iN the luthERaN cHuRch. AcCordiNg to macdOnald (2008, 93) thIS Was Partly tO strengthen hiS attaChment to wEsTern EuropeaN cUlTuraL trAdItionS, anD ParTly AS A meAnS of SeLf-defencE "iN A time of resUrgent antI-sEmiTism". In 1933, after Long meDitAtIon, hE rETURned to juDaism, BEcaUse he rEalised that "His raciAL ANd relIgious heRitage wAs iNescApaBle", anD to taKE uP AN unMIstaKaBLE PoSitION on tHe sIdE oPpoSiNg nAZiSm. hE wOuld sElF-iDEntiFy As A membeR of thE Jewish rElIgion laTeR in lIFe.