Citation

Jindra IW. Sociol. Relig. 2011; 72(3): 275-302.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Association for the Sociology of Religion)

DOI

10.1093/socrel/srq089

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Even though considerable literature on conversions exists, there is a lack of literature comparing conversion processes in different religious groups. This paper is based upon an analysis of 50 conversion narratives to various religious groups using the narrative interview process of German sociologist Fritz Schütze. Narrative interviews are used to map the entire biography of a person, and its relation to the conversion experience. The interviews are analyzed using "constant comparison" according to "grounded theory." Based on this analysis, I propose that we consider personal biography, push and pull factors, religious content, life course agency, network influence, and the relationship between all these factors when interpreting conversion processes.