宗教追尋者和非追尋者改宗行為模式的比較：一個新興宗教團體信眾資料的分析

Comparison of Conversion Patterns between the Religious Seekers and the Non-Seekers: A Study of a New Religious Group in Taiwan

本文是以一個台灣密宗團體的信眾訪談資料來了解宗教追尋者和一般普通信眾的改宗行為模式之異同。首先，回顧改宗理論和其他相關理論。然後提出本研究篩選宗教追尋者的準則，以及測量信眾改宗程度的方法。本研究主要發現如下：大多數的宗教追尋者在20歲之前曾遭受巨大人生創傷（以父母傷亡或父母離婚為主），皈依前一年也有各類人生問題發生；主要以非人際網絡方式主動尋來；相當看重平日自身修行，但為陌生人助念卻不熱衷；自覺生活的改變是以追求「修行開悟求了生脫死」為最多。相對地，一般信眾大部分在20歲以前未遭遇巨大人生創傷，皈依前一年也未有任何人生危機；主要經人際網絡接觸此團體；參與助念比例相當高是此團體的助念主力；自覺生活改變是以「自我成長」為最多。皈依前未遭遇任何危機的普通信眾，有部分是後來人生發生一些危機，而開始認真修，還有一部分是經由宗教組織社會化過程而逐漸融入此團體。最後，本文針對台灣本土改宗現象提出一些省思。

The author compares the conversion patterns between the religious seekers and the non-seekers, using the interview data of a new religious group in Taiwan. First of all, the conversion theory and the attachment theory in the West are reviewed. Then, the criteria for separating the seekers and the non-seekers are developed for this study. The main findings are: a) most of seekers suffered from the death or the divorce of their parents before the age of 20, were recruited outside personal network, focused on selected religious practices relative to self-improvement, found themselves to be transformed toward the goal of religious enlightenment and spirit liberation; b) most of non-seekers seldom encountered serious life problems before, contacted the group through personal network, did most of required religious practices, found themselves achieve the goal of self-growth after joining the group. In conclusion, the author also addresses some issues relative to Taiwanese conversion.