Searching for Heaven in the Real World
A Sociological Discussion of Conversion in the Arab World
1st Edition
Published on 12. July 2013
169 pages
978-1-908355-35-5 (ISBN)
Description
While adjusting to a new identity is akin to adjusting to a new set of skin, even more difficult is realising that this new skin may not be as comfortable or as pleasant as the old one. In Searching for Heaven in the Real World, Kathryn Kraft explores the breadth of psychological and societal issues faced by Arab Muslims after making a decision to adopt a faith in Christ or Christianity, investigating some of the most surprising and significant challenges new believers face.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Kathryn Ann Kraft
Searching for Heaven in the Real World
A Sociological Discussion of Conversion in the Arab World
Book
11/2012
Regnum Books International
€34.86
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Kathryn Kraft has lived and worked in various Arab countries since 2001. She has a MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the American University of Beirut, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Bristol, England. She has worked in a variety of fields including research, peace and reconciliation, emergency relief and social development. In all her work, she has sought to find and tell great stories.
Content
- Cover
- Title page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Background to the Topic
- A Word on Terminology, Sociology and Conversion
- Background: Why Do People Convert?
- Context
- Summary of Methodology
- Organisation of Chapters
- The Perfect Researcher
- Insiders and Outsiders
- Reflexivity: My Identity
- Cooperative Advocacy
- Relationship with the Field
- Analysis and Critique
- Tawhid: Perfect Unity
- Doctrine and History of Tawhid
- Tawhid of Life
- Tawhid of Society
- Converts and Tawhid
- Umma: Perfect Community
- Umma is a Type of Tawhid
- Social Unity over the Individual
- Breakdown of the Umma
- Freedom of Belief and Apostasy
- Expectations of the New Umma
- A Perfect Dream
- Christianity is a Known Element
- The Attraction, not the Motivation
- Westerners and Western Money: Missionaries and the Dream
- Do No Harm
- Anomie
- Disappointment
- A Perfect Believer
- Relating to Fellow Believers
- Relating to the Community of One's Birth
- Striving to be the Perfect Believer but Labelled a Deviant
- A Believer Honouring the Family? Don't Ask Don't Tell
- Demonstrating the Character of a Good Believer
- A Perfect Identity
- Some Theories of Identity
- Why Identity Matters
- Adhesive Identities
- Influences on Identity Development
- Adaptation Processes
- Conclusion
- Second-Generation Converts
- Whose Risk? Whose Dream?
- Bibliography
- Index
