This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
Part of a series on |
Religious conversion |
---|
Types |
Related concepts |
In the sociology of religion, secondary conversion is the religious conversion of an individual that results from a relationship with another convert, rather than from any particular aspect of the new religion. For example, someone might join a religious group primarily because their spouse or partner has done so; such a person would be a secondary convert. Secondary converts are people who join a religion only because of a relationship with the other convert.
Secondary conversion can greatly expand a movement's influence,[1] particularly after a conquest, such as the Muslim Moorish conquest of Spain and Catholic Spain's conquests in Latin America.
The basis for successful conversionist movements is growth through social networks, through a structure of direct and intimate interpersonal attachments.