Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
This thesis is focussed on the relational aspects of the conversion process: how conversion may change the relationship with close others (for example, parents, god) and how relationships with...Show moreThis thesis is focussed on the relational aspects of the conversion process: how conversion may change the relationship with close others (for example, parents, god) and how relationships with close others may affect how the conversion proceeds. In addition to a literature study, there is an exploratory survey study among female converts to Islam.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
Comparing the effects of rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction from both religion-based and non-religion-based rehabilitation programs, specifically concerning relapse rates. The focus...Show moreComparing the effects of rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction from both religion-based and non-religion-based rehabilitation programs, specifically concerning relapse rates. The focus of religion-based programs will be Christian and all programs will be from the United States of America. Surrounding this is the “war on drugs” culture President Nixon waged in the 1970s and which has not been won yet; if anything, it has worsened in the last few decades. Concurrently, the laws regarding drug abuse have become harsher. The relationship between religion and health is fundamental to the discussion, and five specific relationships as defined by Hood, Hill, and Spilka will be applied to three selected studies. Hood et al’s relationships portray the core concepts of “self-control,” “coping,” and “emotion regulation” which are needed to deal with addiction and which rehabilitation is designed to provide tools to help with. The studies will cover a spectrum of religious rehabilitation, non-religious rehabilitation, and the “grey area” between. Pertinent questions for analysing these studies will be outlined and the results and their implications will be compared before ideas for further research are given.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
This qualitative and comparative research looks at the similarities and differences in the conversion processes of converts to Islam and converts to Christianity, and if the similarities in the...Show moreThis qualitative and comparative research looks at the similarities and differences in the conversion processes of converts to Islam and converts to Christianity, and if the similarities in the conversion processes are either more attributable to the religious tradition or the gender of the converts.Show less
This paper attempts to analyse a few important variables concerning the often suggested relation of religiosity and pro-social behaviour. Focusing mainly on the effects of intergroup dynamics and...Show moreThis paper attempts to analyse a few important variables concerning the often suggested relation of religiosity and pro-social behaviour. Focusing mainly on the effects of intergroup dynamics and moral hypocrisy, we conclude there not to be significant evidence for a correlation between religiousness and pro social behaviour.Show less
This study examines the role of spirituality and religion in daily life of people with psychopathology. Attention is paid on the influence of spirituality and religion on their mental health. I...Show moreThis study examines the role of spirituality and religion in daily life of people with psychopathology. Attention is paid on the influence of spirituality and religion on their mental health. I distinguish between the positive and the negative influences of spirituality and religion on the mental health of people with psychopathology. Furthermore, the attitudes of psychiatrists regarding spirituality and religion are examined. These attitudes are placed in the broader framework of the paradigm shift, that is coming up nowadays. This means the development of the new psycho-spiritual paradigm. In the old bio-psycho-social paradigm, everything must be rational. All spirituality was viewed as pathological. In the new paradigm, spirituality is recognized as essential human. According to this paradigm, spirituality and religion should be taken into account in the treatment of people with psychopathology. I argue that the development of the new psycho-spiritual paradigm is a desirable one.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
Subjective well-being as the object of science in positive psychology, connects the fields of science and morality (virtues) with each other. This development immediately raises the question of to...Show moreSubjective well-being as the object of science in positive psychology, connects the fields of science and morality (virtues) with each other. This development immediately raises the question of to what degree the Western conceptualization of happiness and related virtues introduced by positive psychology can be generalized and applied outside the western context. The concept of happiness in the Islamic tradition when no longer connected to any ontological, historical and cultural collective context can easily be transformed in meaning according to the contemporary socio-political and economic ideologies in a certain society. Therefore, in order to effectively benefit from the richness of Islamic religious wisdom, I think it is important to also have a perception of happiness within Islam’s own cultural, yet especially theological framework. This thesis attempts to examine, the underlying value system of humanistic, but mainly positive psychology related to happiness and presents an Islamic outlook on human potential and the associated objectives and values that the Quran regards as determinants of human happiness. The research question of this thesis reads: “What are the fundamental differences when the Western perspective on happiness in positive psychology is compared with the perspective on happiness from a Quranic understanding?”Show less
