Why Do People Join Odd Religious Groups?

Why do people join religious groups? The answer is that people join groups and remain in them for a variety of reasons. People in general, and Christians in particular, are often mystified at why people could belong to groups that seem to us to teach odd and even unacceptable things. So it is important for us to understand why people commit themselves to these things in order to to interact effectively with them. Here are few factors to consider:

A Thirst for Truth
Lots and lots of people want to know the meaning of life. People ask questions like:
• Does the universe have any purpose to it?
• Does human life have any meaning?
• Why should I get out of bed tomorrow morning and go about the business of the day?
A major reason why people affiliate with groups and isms is that they claim to offer certain unique and profound truths.

People may become convinced that the religion has a corner on this type of truth in various ways. They may buy into a “sales pitch” by someone from a religious organization, or they may be satisfied through a personal investigation of the group’s teachings, or maybe by the example and encouragement of friends who are already part of the group.

For example, some groups are famous for sending folks to your door offering to present their teachings. The presentation will usually revolve around the concept that they have a special insight into the true message of Jesus that other groups do not. This point may be made in a very winsome and persuasive manner, but what they are saying is that they (and only they) have the true gospel, and that it is not available anywhere else.

Many times people will say that they were attracted to a particular group because its basic message somehow resonated with them. Those who were raised within a religion are usually taught its basic ideas and practices from childhood and then reinforced throughout life by means of spiritual disciplines and group activities. Members are often retained within the organization through direct or subtle warnings that eternal blessing will be lost should they reject the group and its message.

Dynamic Leadership
Founders of movements are almost always portrayed as personally charismatic, confident of their mission, visionary and highly skilled at communication. They may be seen as prophetic figures, or as those with special insight. Typically a cult of personality grows up around the founder. Their words, actions and lifestyle become sacred and beyond criticism. When they die, their memory is revered, their life is idealized and their teachings are enshrined as doctrine. Muhammad is a prime example of this. He is deeply revered within Islam, and to question or reject his teachings amounts to a rejection of God himself in the minds of his followers.

Leaders on a local level are chosen from those who are skilled at motivating people and carrying out the program of the organization. They are often personable and are expected to live exemplary lives as defined by the organization. So people join a group at least partly because they are convinced that the leadership is onto something very special.

A Worthy Lifestyle
Because of the universal human need for meaning in life, people flounder under a routine that seems ultimately pointless. A major function of religions is to give people a system for living a fulfilling life. The goal may be stated in various ways:
• Come and be part of our group because we have the truth
• Walk with us on the path that leads to heaven
• Help us make the world a better place by living a correct lifestyle
Combining these motivations for exclusive membership, personal salvation and meaningful impact in the world are a powerful combination in attracting people to various groups.

Self-Improvement
Religious groups who help people improve their personal lives foster a high degree of loyalty among their members. For example, if an organization can provide a way for people to break some addictive habit or change a negative behavior, they will automatically gain a following among people who desire those types of changes in their lives.

I recall touring a major Buddhist center several years ago where the guide was a convert to Buddhism out of a nominal Christian background. When asked what it was that attracted him to this form of Buddhism, he replied that he had had a terrible problem with frustration and anger. Learning Buddhist teachings and meditation had allowed him to deal with that anger in a significant way. To him, joining this new religion was a major liberating experience. He remarked that even his non-Buddhist wife had noticed that he was much calmer since he was (in his words) “buddha-ized”.

Participation in Community
Belonging to a caring group of people is a nearly universal human need. Except for the relatively rare person who is a true individualist, people are attracted to the prospect of being part of a special group. Many groups emphasize the idea that they are a people who have such a special relationship to the truth, or who are doing things properly, or perhaps a people who are uniquely blessed. To join the group means participation in this special community.

More than this, religions offer their members a context in which they are wanted and valued; in which they are contributing members; and in which they may have a specific function considered necessary by the group. All of that brings an enormous sense of fulfillment. Once in the group, members are highly motivated to remain faithful in order to continue to receive whatever benefits the group offers. Think about it--to be faced with rejection by family and friends and exclusion from group life is a powerful deterrent to questioning what is taught or violating sacred codes of behavior.

Familiar Routine
The safety of a predictable cycle of life can offer a welcome refuge in a changing and seemingly chaotic world. Many groups provide this type of prescribed life cycle including regular holidays, community traditions and a routine of worship and practice. To some people, these types of things bring order and a sense of well being to their lives.

For many Christians, church on Sunday mornings with a family dinner afterward is a highlight of the week. Other religions do much the same sort of thing. Jews have holidays like Passover and Hanukkah; Muslims have the annual observance of Ramadan. Even the Communists have their annual May Day Celebration. Many people find that a religious routine of life is immensely helpful and comforting.

Finally, you may have noticed as I have discussed each of these factors that all of them apply equally to those within the Christian faith. People choose to become Christians or to remain within Christian churches because of these very same types of motivating factors. This certainly raises the question of why anyone should believe that Christianity is any different. In other words, who is to say that Christians are right when we claim that the historic Christian gospel is uniquely the truth?

The good news is that, most of the time, explaining the good news to people in real situations is done very simply anyway. Beyond any arguments or evidence we may have to share, the real convincing is done by God himself. The most important thing Christians can bring to the process is authenticity. Just be a real Christian. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to possess a persuasive personality. You don’t even have to be perfect. Just be real and love people. Jesus gave us the key when he said that people will know that we are truly is followers by our love. Michael Bogart