The Communication of Conversion and the Christian Patriot Movement: Proselytization Within the Far Right

This study examines how the Christian Patriot Movement attempts to convert and maintain new members. The study adopted a two pronged system of analysis, including both rhetorical and qualitative. Data for the study was gathered by interviewing Militia members, Identity Christian Members, and Fundamentalist Church members. The results indicate that converts speak of fantasy themes when conversing about their conversion experience as well as maintaining their faith. The existence of fantasy themes within the conversion experience led the researcher to create a model of conversion that contains four components: 1) Indoctrination, 2) Cognition, 3) Adoption of the fantasy in the converts lifestyle, and 4) Maintenance. Further implications and suggestions for future study are also discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Communication

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication

Year

1996

Author dc:creator

• Robertson, Terry

Contributors dc:contributor

• Randy Dillon

• Communication

Statement dc:rights

• © Terry Robertson

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1020

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2021