Joining Soka Gakkai in Cuba: affiliation patterns and factors influencing conversion careers

Why do Cubans convert to Soka Gakkai (SGI)? What factors influence their religious choice? Based on fieldwork conducted in Havana, three main affiliation patterns are identified: the pursuit of practical benefits, spiritual quests and the irreligious paths. At the micro level, these are explained by...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rodriguez Plasencia, Girardo (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2015
In: Social compass
Year: 2015, Volume: 62, Issue: 2, Pages: 159-171
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Sōka-Gakkai / Cuba / Buddhism
IxTheo Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
KBR Latin America
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:Why do Cubans convert to Soka Gakkai (SGI)? What factors influence their religious choice? Based on fieldwork conducted in Havana, three main affiliation patterns are identified: the pursuit of practical benefits, spiritual quests and the irreligious paths. At the micro level, these are explained by the converts’ perceived congruence between their own (non-)religious worldview and SGI. Next, at the meso level, it is shown that a major institutional factor is SGI’s capacity to supply simultaneously a utilitarian religious perspective, an alternative spirituality and a non-theistic humanistic message. Finally, individual and institutional factors are linked to the socio-cultural context.
ISSN:0037-7686
Contains:In: Social compass
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0037768615571687