The results of his investigation only partially confirmed this hypothesis. Where and how groups recruit is a function of the level of commitment demanded by the group. Groups that do not make great demands on members recruit heavily from the natural social networks. High demand groups, on the other hand, recruit almost exclusively outside natural social networks. Belonging to groups is a natural human activity.
People belong to religious groups for essentially the same reasons they belong to other groups.
Conversion is generally understood as an emotionally charged experience that leads to a dramatic reorganization of the convert's life. In reality, conversion varies enormously in terms of the intensity of the experience and the degree to which it actually alters the life of the convert. Conversion is one, but not the only reason people join religious groups. Social scientists have offered a number of theories to explain why people join religious groups. Most of these explanations could apply equally well to explain why people join lots of other kinds of groups.