The influence of religious conversion on the identity of individuals with criminal past

The bachelor thesis focuses on the problem of religious conversion by the individuals having the criminal past. The aim was to find out how the narratives about their identities can be changed and how is the process of religious conversion. The thesis also deals with the fact if there are some common elements within the process of conversion. The theoretical part of the bachelor thesis introduces the psychology of religion, the concept of identity and religious conversion. The model of religious conversion by Malcolm L. Rigsby is described more in details as it is used further in the analysis. The empirical part describes the analysis of the texts themselves. The research was carried out qualitatively using the narrative analysis method of twenty-four stories. The examined testimonies were written by people with criminal past who have converted and have become a part of some religious group. The results suggest their identities have been changed as well as the values, the way of expression or their social environment. During the process of religious conversion there are some common elements that are described more in details in the empirical part of the thesis. Key words: religious conversion, psychology of religion, pathological behavior, criminal lifestyle, model of religious conversio