S01E49 - Navigating (De)Conversion While Maintaining Social Relations Across Different Religions in Flanders (Belgium)

This academic research article investigates how individuals in Flanders, Belgium, manage their social relationships during the process of changing or leaving their religious faith. By analyzing interviews with 43 participants from Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and secular backgrounds, the authors explore how (de)converts use strategic communication to anticipate or mitigate negative reactions from family and friends. Many participants reported selective sharing or leading "double lives" to preserve harmony, particularly within closed communities or families where religion and cultural identity are deeply intertwined. The study reveals that societal stigmas significantly influence these transitions, as those moving toward Islam often face fears of radicalization while those converting to Christianity encounter secular indifference or mockery. Ultimately, the text highlights that religious mobility is not just a private shift in belief but a complex negotiation of social belonging and external expectations.

Lore Van Praag, Kaya Klaver, Gert Verschraegen, Patrick Loobuyck, Navigating (De)Conversion While Maintaining Social Relations Across Different Religions in Flanders (Belgium), Sociology of Religion, Volume 87, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 268–291, https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srae043