THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF RELIGIOUS CONVERSION

The presented article primarily focuses on the theoretical foundations of religious conversion from psychological, sociological, and theological perspectives. Religious conversion is described as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon involving profound changes in a person’s religious beliefs. This change is not merely understood as the transition from one religion to another, but as a transformation within the individual’s spiritual and religious experience. At the beginning of the article, the historical context of psychology’s approach to religion and religious conversion is outlined, with specific reference to the contributions of William James and Starbuck in this field. It is also emphasized that in Western sources, the term “conversion” can refer not only to religious or spiritual transformation but also to political and social changes. In Islamic thought, the phenomenon is expressed through terms such as ihtida, hidayah, irtidad, and tawbah. The article presents and compares two main theoretical approaches: the passive and the active perspectives. According to the passive approach, the individual is not a conscious agent in the process of religious change but is influenced by divine will, subconscious processes, and social environment. This view is supported by thinkers like Leuba, Freud, and Berger. In contrast, the active approach suggests that the individual undergoes religious transformation consciously and intentionally. Roger Straus and Rambo are leading figures in this perspective. Rambo describes conversion as a multi-stage process, progressing from context to the affirmation of results.