Community Dependence : How Some Religions Grow Without Diluting Strict Doctrine

Why do some religions expand without diluting their doctrine? While most explanations of religious growth have focused on market competition, conversion and pronatalist theology, these factors are neither necessary nor sufficient for religious expansion. Instead, religions with both pronatalist norms and strong community support for large families experience the highest birth rates and "expansion from within." Since the community support for large families increases exit costs for adherents, strict doctrine continues to be upheld, despite considerable expansion