本研究旨在探究臺灣基督徒的改宗經驗,包括改變信仰的原因、歷程,以及所涉及之轉化。臺灣的傳統宗教與基督教之間存在許多文化層次上的差異,由於契合性的不足,這個外來信仰帶來許多潛在的衝突,也使得改宗基督徒具有文化跨越的意涵。然而,過去關於改宗的研究多從社會學取徑著手,鮮少以改宗基督徒為主體,探討其轉變信仰的經驗、歷程以及轉化的內涵。本研究以半結構的方式進行深度訪談,研究對象為五位來自不同教派的第一代基督徒,以他們的經驗敘說為基礎,探究在地信徒的改宗與轉化歷程。本研究以Mezirow的轉化學習(transformative learning)為主要的理論視角,分析基督徒的改宗心理與觀點轉化。研究結果顯示,對宗教文化抱持存疑未解的狀態是改宗行為的潛在因素;基督教的思維體系使得改宗者得以重構、反思過往的負向經驗;此外,人際關係的牽動亦是個體改變信仰的原因。就改宗的歷程而言,對生命的反思是促使觀點轉變的重要因素;個體既有世界觀的衝擊與宗教團體的介入時機是改宗行為發生的重要脈絡;最後,坦然面對自我的信仰選擇與家族信仰的衝突是讓改宗者完成轉化的關鍵。最後,本研究顯示,依據改宗者的信仰狀態,其轉化過程可分為四個階段:「生在本地」、「接觸異鄉」、「兩地游移」、「心繫異鄉」。
The study aims to explore the experiences of Taiwanese Christians’ conversion, i.e., the reason why they wanted to adopt a minor religion under dominating Taiwanese cultural context, and the process of their transformative learning. There are many conflicting concepts between Christianity and the Chinese Folk Religion which constitute as a part of Taiwanese culture. Therefore, conversion can be seen as a cross-cultural behavior. However, most of the conversion researches in Taiwan have focused on sociological perspectives and were relatively short of psychological aspects. This study is a qualitative research in which five first-generation Christians from different denominations were interviewed. The Mezirow’s Transformative Learning is the main formal theory and analytic framework. The results showed that the prevailed practices of following the traditional rituals without knowing the reason was the underlying factor that triggered conversion behaviors. However, the new religious thought gave individuals a chance to search a better meaning of experience. In addition, social network also prompted the conversion. Secondly, the process of conversion included reflection of life meaning, social support, and facing the conflict from being a Christian within the family which played a crucial role for individual transformation. Finally, based on the different conditions during the process of religious change, four stages of conversion were illustrated.