Deconversion

Qualitative and Quantitative Results from Cross-Cultural Research in Germany and the United States of America
1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-3-525-60439-7
Verlag: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Buch, Deutsch, Englisch, Band Band 005, 262 Seiten, mit zahlreichen Tabellen und Grafiken, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 237 mm, Gewicht: 545 g

Reihe: Research in Contemporary Religion

This book presents case studies and empirical data of a phenomenon which increasingly gains popularity in Western societies: deconversion. There is, the authors argue, no better word than deconversion to describe processes of disengagement from religious orientations because these have much in common with conversion. Termination of membership may eventually be the final step of deconversion, but it involves biographical and psychological dynamics which can and need to be reconstructed by qualitative approaches and analyzed by quantitative instruments.In the Bielefeld-based Cross-Cultural Study on Deconversion disengagement processes from a variety of religious backgrounds in the USA and in Germany were examined, ranging from well-established religious organizations to new religious and fundamentalist groups. Nearly 1,200 persons participated in thestudy and were interviewed from 2002 to 2005. In the focus of the study are 100 deconverts from the USA and from Germany who were examined with narrative interviews, faith development interviews and an extensive questionnaire. For case study elaboration, the study followed a research design with an innovative triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data. Four chapters, corresponding to four types of deconversion, present 21 case studies. The highlights of the research project are new data on spirituality – the deconverts in particular appear to prefer a 'more spiritual than religious' self-identification – and in-depth analyses of a variety of deconversion narratives with special focus on personality factors, motivation, attitudes, religious development, psychological well-being and growth, religious fundamentalism and right-wing authoritarianism. The results of this project which was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft are of special relevance for counselling and pastoral care, for religious education and for people concerned with administration and management of religious groups and churches, but also for a wider audience interested in contemporary changes in the religious fields in the USA and Germany.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Streib, Heinz

Hood, Ralph W.

Keller, Barbara

Csöff, Rosina-Martha

Silver, Christopher F.

Weitere Mitwirkende

Richardson, James T.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Religionspsychologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christentum/Christliche Theologie Allgemein Christentum und Gesellschaft, Kirche und Politik
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Religionssoziologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionssoziologie und -psychologie, Spiritualität, Mystik

Über Autor(innen)

Silver, Christopher F.
Christopher F. Silver, PhD is an assistant professor in learning and leadership and an instructor in psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Streib, Heinz
Prof. Dr. Heinz Streib ist Seniorprofessor für Forschung an der Universität Bielefeld und Leiter der Forschungsstelle Biographische Religionsforschung.

Csöff, Rosina-Martha
Rosina-Martha Csöff ist Diplom-Soziologin und wissenschaftliche Assistentin an der Evangelischen Fachhochschule Ludwigsburg-Reutlingen.

Hood, Ralph W.
Ralph W. Hood, Jr., PhD is professor of psychology and LeRoy A. Martin Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Keller, Barbara
Dr. Barbara Keller is a senior researcher in the Research Center for Biographical Studies in Contemporary Religion at Bielefeld University and a licensed psychoanalyst in Cologne.