Religious conversion and cultural trauma

Abstract

Using the lens of cultural trauma, this paper aims to understand the emotional impacts associated with opposition to religious conversion. Following a theoretical discussion of the concept of cultural trauma, the paper analyses comments from eight in-depth interviews of converts to Christianity who have been Christians for at least five years and reside in Bangalore, India, several of whom were minors at the time of conversion. The findings reveal that religious converts face distress and trauma within interpersonal relationships with parents, relatives, friends, and community, which are impacted by their decision to convert.