Mars, Titus Ivo (2023) Conversion in Detention. Bachelor thesis, Bachelor Godsdienstwetenschap.
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22-23 BA-RW thesis I. Mars (s4080122).pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (490kB) |
Abstract
In the analysis of how Christian prison chaplains in the Netherlands narrate the conversion of detainees, several findings have come forward. First and foremost, the Christian chaplains explain conversion as a process rather than a single event. Conversion is a continuous search for God, which is started by one’s interest and then continues throughout one’s life. The chaplains describe how the detainee builds a relationship with God during this process. They do so by learning more and more about him, through Bible study and through conversations with the chaplain. The process of conversion is characterised by change on several levels. Firstly, one changes from within, as they gain new beliefs and a new worldview. Secondly, one changes their behaviour, as a result of their process of conversion. The prison chaplains narrate conversion in a truly positive manner. The change in worldview provides meaning for a detainee, which is very much needed in the crisis situation that detention encompasses. Furthermore, the change in behaviour serves both the detainee as well as the people around them. Additionally, the chaplains themselves also experience feelings of happiness because of the steps that a detainee makes in their conversion process. However, conversion is not seen as a goal of the work as a prison chaplain. While it is experienced very positively when a detainee converts, the chaplains do not explain this as some sort of accomplishment of their work When narrating conversion, the chaplains attribute great meaning to conversion. During the process of conversion, a detainee finds that their life receives a new purpose. This purpose is a life with God. The renewed purpose serves as a source of strength, to endure the time spent in detention. Many elements of the way in which the Christian prison chaplains in the Netherlands narrate conversion are in accordance with the material provided by scholars in academic literature. However, some elements are different from or absent in the descriptions of scholars. A prime example is the finding that the chaplains narrate conversion as always being a process. While some scholars agree on this, others pose that conversion can be a single event as well. This finding poses questions as to whether ‘sudden conversion’ can be researched as an isolated event. Another important finding is ‘tranquillity’ as a characteristic of detention and a factor of conversion. In future researches, one could examine the role of tranquillity in conversion. Furthermore, it would be interesting to research whether tranquillity has historically always been a factor in conversion, or whether this is more a phenomenon of the modern age.
| Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) | ||||||||
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| Degree programme: | Bachelor Godsdienstwetenschap | ||||||||
| Academic year: | 2022-2023 | ||||||||
| Date of delivery: | 30 Nov 2023 14:22 | ||||||||
| Last modified: | 30 Nov 2023 14:22 | ||||||||
| URI: | https://ggw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/745 |
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