Is there some type of general human tendency against conversion?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I kind of get that there is. These are rather common attitudes from what I've observed (more low level and subconscious, and usually more implied than expressed explictly of course):

-Any church/group/movement that is predominately made up of converts is a cult.
-People who do convert are likely to be crazy, overly zealous or just "odd" in a way (usually not thought of toward people who effectively convert to "None" but only if they maintain some sort of "identity" of whatever they were raised in. If they reject that too it's "odd".)
-People who convert are some sort of low level traitors to their former group, an attitude often held by people who don't belong to that group (often out of a sort of political correctness. White Moderate Heroes who are not Buddhist, Muslim or Jewish often sort of seem to feel like it's important to still "respect" those traditions and view proselytizing toward people from them negatively...meaning that people from them who still convert entirely of their own choice are still sort of bad in a way. Plus turning their backs on you know, "OMG CULTURE" and all that.)

So I guess what I wonder is, why exactly is this? BTW I'm not thinking of just the Western world here, take a look at how people in places like India freak out over this stuff for example.

[fezzyfestoon]

I think people stay with the religion they were raised under in most cases or at least stick with one for a long time mostly out of a mental desire for consistency. Nobody wants to admit they were wrong about anything, especially about something so public and demanding of extreme dedication. So, yeah, in a way.

[Blue3]

I think it's nurture, not nature.

Most people here see it as no big deal, almost no difference, to change denominations. Most don't even see it as a conversion.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I think people stay with the religion they were raised under in most cases or at least stick with one for a long time mostly out of a mental desire for consistency. Nobody wants to admit they were wrong about anything, especially about something so public and demanding of extreme dedication. So, yeah, in a way.

I don't think it would have much to do with this, since people who convert didn't pick what they were raised in so it's not like they were ever knowingly wrong. I've never met any ex-Catholic who is like "OMG I can't believe I ever followed the Pope!" because they never did. Also as noted this often applies to people who leave non-Christian religions even by people who don't follow those. So I suspect it might have something to do more with opposing people leaving their "correct" group.

I think it's nurture, not nature.

Most people here see it as no big deal, almost no difference, to change denominations. Most don't even see it as a conversion.

Yes, but based on what some people are saying that isn't the case in Europe even today.

[patrick1]

I think people stay with the religion they were raised under in most cases or at least stick with one for a long time mostly out of a mental desire for consistency. Nobody wants to admit they were wrong about anything, especially about something so public and demanding of extreme dedication. So, yeah, in a way.

I don't think it would have much to do with this, since people who convert didn't pick what they were raised in so it's not like they were ever knowingly wrong. I've never met any ex-Catholic who is like "OMG I can't believe I ever followed the Pope!" because they never did. Also as noted this often applies to people who leave non-Christian religions even by people who don't follow those. So I suspect it might have something to do more with opposing people leaving their "correct" group.

I think it's nurture, not nature.

Most people here see it as no big deal, almost no difference, to change denominations. Most don't even see it as a conversion.

Yes, but based on what some people are saying that isn't the case in Europe even today.

BRTD, maybe you shouldnt try to create these grand unifying theories on what are personal and individual decisions if you don't like all sorts of exceptions to them?

Some hold traditions dear, other intentionally buck convention. Some wear a kabbala bracelet while others have a sincere spiritual journey.

[Torie]

Some "conversions" are just pro forma, where the one less "interested" in religion, lets the spouse of another religion choose the "family" religion. In another life, I would be perfectly willing to affect some religious affiliation, if it made the spouse happy, and he or she otherwise made me happy. Why not? But if the services suck, don't expect me to show up.  My time is valuable.

[pbrower2a]

It's culture. Any long-established religion has its well-defined cultural baggage.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Religion is on several levels a group identity. There's a strong tendency among people in a given group to view people who are not as deeply rooted in that group with suspicion. I speculate that it has to do with perceptions of reliability, though that's just my thoughts.