Editing New religious movement (section)

===Joining===

Those who convert to a NRM typically believe that in doing so they are gaining some benefit in their life. This can come in many forms, from an increasing sense of freedom to a release from drug dependency, and a feeling of self-respect and direction. Many of those who have left NRMs report that they have gained from their experience. There are various reasons as to why an individual would join and then remain part of a NRM, including both push and pull factors.{{sfn|Barker|1989|pp=25–26}}  According to [[Marc Galanter (psychiatrist)|Marc Galanter]], professor of psychiatry at NYU,<ref>Galanter, Marc (Editor), (1989), ''Cults and new religious movements: a report of the committee on psychiatry and religion of the [[American Psychiatric Association]]'', {{ISBN|0-89042-212-5}}</ref> typical reasons why people join NRMs include a search for community and a spiritual quest. Sociologists [[Rodney Stark|Stark]] and [[William Sims Bainbridge|Bainbridge]], in discussing the process by which people join new religious groups, have questioned the utility of the concept of ''conversion'', suggesting that ''affiliation'' is a more useful concept.<ref>Bader, Chris & A. Demarish (1996). "A test of the Stark-Bainbridge theory of affiliation with religious cults and sects." ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'', 35, 285–303.</ref>

A popular explanation for why people join new religious movements is that they have been "brainwashed" or subject to "mind control" by the NRM itself.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=17}} This explanation provides a rationale for "deprogramming", a process in which members of NRMs are illegally kidnapped by individuals who then attempt to convince them to reject their beliefs.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=17}} Professional deprogrammers, therefore, have a financial interest in promoting the "brainwashing" explanation.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=19}} Academic research, however, has demonstrated that these brainwashing techniques "simply do not exist".{{sfn|Hammer|Rothstein|2012|p=3}}