Sociology
N. Jaberian; A. Rabiei; H. Mohaddesi; M.J. Zahedi Mazandarani
Abstract
The current study is an attempt to analyze the attitudinal developments that have occurred in the social transactions of the members of the so-called Psymentology spiritual group. The study is a descriptive one and has been conducted according to the principles of the Grounded Theory on fourteen current ...
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The current study is an attempt to analyze the attitudinal developments that have occurred in the social transactions of the members of the so-called Psymentology spiritual group. The study is a descriptive one and has been conducted according to the principles of the Grounded Theory on fourteen current (active and non-active) and former members of the group. Results of analyses showed the changes occurred to the members of the two groups are not similar and are sometimes contradictory. In other words, the ideology that member have gotten through participation in the group and their spiritual experiences are not similar for the two groups; in other words, the current members evaluate such ideology as positive, while the former members have contrasting views. Cognitive and attitudinal changes among the members have been classified into four groups, each one with specific consequences. Identifying the hidden aspects of oneself, perceiving oneness in the universe and being united with it, believing in the consciousness of the existence and handing over all issues to it, and believing in the existence of non-organic beings.
Sociology
N. Jaberian; A. Rabiei; H Mohaddesi Gilvaiei; M.J. Zahedi Mazandarani
Abstract
The conversion of a large number of people to the emerging spiritual sect (hereafter mentioned as “the M sect” in the current study) indicates a socio-cultural trend and the current study attempts to identify its causes and effective factors. Qualitative methodology in the form of Grounded ...
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The conversion of a large number of people to the emerging spiritual sect (hereafter mentioned as “the M sect” in the current study) indicates a socio-cultural trend and the current study attempts to identify its causes and effective factors. Qualitative methodology in the form of Grounded Theory has been applied. Data were collected through distributing a semi-structured questionnaire in an in-depth interview from fourteen participants. Findings constitute a two-step paradigm model where the dimensions and major elements include: A) preliminary conditions: stresses of religious life in the modern age, lack of acceptability in the traditional religious culture, emotional detachment; B) causal conditions: spiritual needs, epistemic crisis, physical or mental illnesses; C1) The central phenomenon and context: the feeling of distress with regard to intensity, continuity, and diversity; D1) Strategy: reference to traditional religious texts, medical treatment, psychotherapy, counseling, exercise; E1) intervening conditions: lack of acceptability in the religious culture; F1) Result: inefficient or partially efficient of strategy and continuity of the feeling of distress; C2) the feeling of distress with desperation; D2) choosing the spiritual method proposed by M; E2) value system, religious socialization and lack of congruence with the religious culture, the congruence of the sect with the general culture, having fresh viewpoints and the acceptability of explanations provided by the sect, objective reports on the effectiveness of the practices in the sect, open membership, and the quality and quantity of the network of relations with members in the sect; F2) Conversion that has instrumental and ultimate interpretations.
