k 2012

You have to be born again : converting through narrative

CIGÁN, Jakub

Basic information

Original name

You have to be born again : converting through narrative

Authors

CIGÁN, Jakub (703 Slovakia, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Ends and beginnings. The 11th Annual Conference of the EASR. The Special Conference of the IAHR, Stockholm, 23-26 August 2012, 2012

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Prezentace na konferencích

Field of Study

60304 Religious studies

Country of publisher

Sweden

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14210/12:00061572

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords in English

religious conversion; narrative; commitment signalling; emotions; autobiographical memory

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 14/1/2019 15:24, Mgr. Jakub Cigán, Ph.D.

Abstract

V originále

Religious conversion is traditionally perceived as a new beginning for individual. It refers to change of one's beliefs and behavior and we usually learn about this process from convert's testimonies. These accounts might be, though, the part of conversion process as such. Neophytes gradually learn how to express own experience and past appropriately by listening to others' stories and reading Bible at specific courses or particular camps designed to adopt such a story by outsiders and then perceive themselves through these stories. Newcomers then tell their story in a front of other members demonstrating and legitimizing their membership in a group. This "witnessing" is perceived as an evidence of a "born again" experience, after which neophyte is accepted by the group. Witnessing, as a collective practice, is not designated just for this occasion, but it is a part of regular group practices such as a prayer meetings. What cognitive and social processes are in a game? What is the role of these conversion narratives in terms of group dynamics? Paper will probe these questions through an ongoing fieldwork in Christian Protestant group in Czech Republic.

Links

EE2.3.20.0048, research and development project
Name: Laboratoř pro experimentální výzkum náboženství