DefSufi

After several years of mulling over the idea, and several attempts at outlines and questionnaires, I have decided to write a book. And I can use some help.

What I have in the works is a book about religious conversion. It's NOT a how-to, or a you-should, but more of a reasons why people convert, how their friends and loved ones handle it, why it goes well when it does and why it goes badly when it does. I have it sketched out tentatively as a 3-part work: 1 for converts, 1 for their families et al, and 1 for ministers.

I would like some volunteers to take part in the data gathering. I have a questionnaire set up that asks about what religion you grew up in, how devout you were, what did you convert to, when and why... that sort of thing. Any contact info I ask for is ONLY for follow-up, and any identifying info will be stripped out. If you have family members that would like to take the family portion of the data gather, that would be more than fabulous. And if your minister/rabbi/imam/priest or other leader would like to take part as well, very cool! (The minister's portion isn't about you, it's more a general idea of how they approach conversion.)

The reason I think this project is a good idea is that, as a convert (and a multiple one at that), there have been very smooth transitions, and VERY bumpy ones. When I was a minister myself, I heard more horror stories about conversion than I did about great ones. There are a lot of dynamics in changing religions, and the convert themself is only one out of several. The way they all interact can make for a dream or a nightmare.

Like I said above, it's NOT a book about how to convert, or why anyone should. Personally, when someone talks to me about wanting to convert from one faith to another I usually try to discourage them. It's not that I have anything against moving from one path to another (like I said, I'm a repeat offender!) but often it seems people think they should convert to something else because they feel stuck, they don't understand their "native" faith and haven't been able to find answers, or they object to one or more tenants and decide they can't remain... and then often find one or more tenants in their new faith that bother them as much, or even more. So I usually encourage giving full involvement to one's faith path before deciding to switch to another, because you still take yourself with you when you convert!

 If this sounds like something you'd like to take part in, drop me a line through the email thingy here at the blog. I'll give you more of the details at that point, and if it still sounds good, then I'll send the questionnaire.

Hope to hear from you!

Blessings,

DefSufi