"UNRAVELLING" EXPLORING THE EXPERIENCE AND MEANING OF SPIRITUAL DECONSTRUCTION
Date
2021-08-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0002-2202-0390
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience and meaning of spiritual deconstruction for post-evangelicals or fundamentalist Christians, what influenced this experience and how this experience impacted their lives (identity, faith, family, community etc.). Although there have been studies on disaffiliation and deconversion, there had been no phenomenological studies on the experience of deconstruction for former dedicated post-evangelicals. Six adults who experienced spiritual deconstruction were interviewed. Through Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), five main themes were identified: Spiritual Devotion, Internalizing and Conforming, The Unraveling, Leaving: Attempt at Reform and Loss and Finding a New Way. These themes revealed the complex experience of unravelling one’s faith. Findings provide a valuable contribution to the limited literature on spiritual deconstruction, meaning and identity . Understanding this experience will aid future mental health practitioners and people process what is a significant and often times difficult life transition. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.
Description
Keywords
Deconstruction, Disaffiliation, Deconversion, Faith Shift, evangelical, fundamentalist, spiritual identity
Citation
Degree
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Department
Educational Psychology and Special Education
Program
School and Counselling Psychology