A New Model of Religious Conversion

Ines W. Jindra

ISBN 10: 9004264981 / ISBN 13: 9789004264984

Published by Koninklijke Brill BV Jun 2014, 2014

About this Item

Neuware - Based on the analysis of 52 conversion narratives to various religious groups, A New Model of Religious Conversion utilizes case studies for comparison of converts' backgrounds, network influence, and conversion narratives. The author convincingly illustrates a 'fit' between the converts' background and the religion they convert to, such as between disorganized family backgrounds and highly structured religions. Conversely, those from highly structured backgrounds often convert to more 'open' groups. The book also makes it clear that not all conversions are influenced by networks or align themselves with a social constructivist view of a conversion as an 'account.' Taking converts' trajectories seriously, the author makes a strong case for the application of biographical sociology to the study of conversion and (American) sociology overall.

Seller Inventory # 9789004264984

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A New Model of Religious Conversion
• Publisher: Koninklijke Brill BV Jun 2014
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9004264981
• ISBN 13: 9789004264984
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 235W x 155H x 14D millimeters 235 millimeters width by 155 millimeters height by 14 millimeters depth
• Weight: 514 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Based on the analysis of 52 conversion narratives to various religious groups, A New Model of Religious Conversion utilizes case studies for comparison of converts' backgrounds, network influence, and conversion narratives. The author convincingly illustrates a "fit" between the converts' background and the religion they convert to, such as between disorganized family backgrounds and highly structured religions. Conversely, those from highly structured backgrounds often convert to more "open" groups. The book also makes it clear that not all conversions are influenced by networks or align themselves with a social constructivist view of a conversion as an "account." Taking converts' trajectories seriously, the author makes a strong case for the application of biographical sociology to the study of conversion and (American) sociology overall.

About the Author

Ines W. Jindra, Ph.D. (2005), is currently a Visiting Scholar at the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. She has published articles on religious conversion and religious development, and most recently on religious conversion from a sociological perspective. Besides religion, she is interested in qualitative research methods, biographies, poverty, and urban issues.