Conversion To Islam by Ali Kose

Author:Ali Kose [Kose, Ali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781136168451
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2012-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

D Social influence and the conversion process model

1 The convert as a social type

Social influence theories suggest that the range of perspectives used by close associates affects the persuasiveness of a new view of reality. Increased contact with a devout follower of the new faith increases the likelihood of conversion (Ullman, 1989: 81). Nevertheless, an individual must already be oriented towards a religious quest at the time of social contact (Heirich, 1977: 673). If the individual is not already a religious seeker, or if he is attached to a religion, such contact may not be sufficient for conversion.

Studies of conversion on new religious movements seem to have applied two theoretical approaches in order to ascertain what is most influential in the conversion process. The first is the deprivation-ideological appeal point of view (Balch and Taylor, 1977; Anthony, et al, 1977; Richardson and Stewart, 1977; Baer, 1978) which hypothesises that people are deprived (socially, psychologically, physically, etc.) and ideologically predisposed to accept a cult or a sect’s message. This approach claims that people do not join a group unless something has bothered them, and thus cults and sects tend to recruit people who suffer from some variety of deprivation. Lofland and Stark (1965: 864), for example, hypothesised that people must experience enduring and acutely felt tensions before they will join a cult. The second approach may be called the social networks point of view (Stark and Bainbridge, 1980a; Snow and Machalek, 1983; Long and Hadden, 1983) which emphasises that interpersonal bonds between members of a group and potential recruits are the essential element in the process. The first approach claims that groups reward the members and make deprivations more bearable. The second approach puts interpersonal relations at the centre of the recruitment process and argues that membership spreads through social networks. The ‘social network’ theory does not completely deny deprivation theory. It states that deprivations and social problems are facilitating factors of conversion, but the crucial step in joining a group is the development of strong social ties with group members (see Stark and Bainbridge, 1980a: 1380).

Although both approaches emphasise the different nature of elements and factors in the conversion process there is nothing contradictory about them. Even those who question the centrality of deprivation admit that it must at least be included as a condition ‘enabling’ or ‘facilitating’ conversion. This research suggests that both seem obvious requirements of any adequate theory. As the accounts of the interviewees portray, the potential convert may have ethical, psychic, or social deprivation in their background and at the same time they may have a social relationship with a Muslim associate. The study of conversion to Ananda Marga by Nordquist (1978: 87), in fact, lends support to the proposition that both approaches are important. Nordquist’s questionnaire study of 28 Ananda members revealed that they were overwhelmingly characterised by ‘social withdrawal or introversion’ prior to joining Ananda. Presumably, one of the deprivations that caused these people to seek a religious answer was social isolation. Yet, Nordquist

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