Surviving and Thriving in a Hostile Religious Culture Thesis

(2014). Surviving and Thriving in a Hostile Religious Culture . 10.25148/etd.FI14110747

thesis or dissertation chair

authors

  • Mitchell, Michelle

abstract

  • The present study explored a minority oppositional religious culture, which continued practicing despite overt hostilities to their practices. The qualitative research project utilized interviews and observations of the Gardnerian Wiccans in Broward County, Florida. The narrative data were transcribed, coded, and categorized into three themes related to the following research questions: Why would individuals create a secretive religion? Given they had to practice in secret, what about this religion had people seeking out information and joining Covens? What would keep this group together despite opposition from dominant culture? As a microcosm for religious conflict in society, the study showed differences in the culture’s religious paradigm structure as a major factor for religious conflict.

publication date

  • November 14, 2014

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)