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'Losing my religion': Managing identity in a post-Jehovah's Witness world
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 16:02 authored by Nicholas HookwayNicholas Hookway, Daphne HabibisDaphne HabibisWhat is it like to be socialised into the self-contained Christian fundamentalist world of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and to move towards disinheriting that tradition during adolescence? This article considers this question by looking at how a group of young, Australian Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs), who were born into the religion, make the journey from membership to dissent. The interview data suggest that for these young respondents the roots of disaffiliation lie in disagreement with specific JW practices and the freedom and hedonistic attractions offered by the secular world. It shows how disaffiliation was staged as a dynamic struggle for self as the ex-JWs swung between the secular attractions of freedom and hedonism, and the certainty and comfort of the religious community. Further, the article suggests that parental socialisation and the differences between those born into such movements and converts are important factors in understanding reasons for disaffiliation.
History
Publication title
Journal of SociologyVolume
51Issue
4Pagination
843-856ISSN
1440-7833Department/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
SagePlace of publication
UKRights statement
Copyright 2013 the authorsRepository Status
- Restricted