Let's say somebody becomes a "born-again" christian as I did when I left the Watchtower. I was attracted by the doctrine of "grace" and quickly accepted by the christian community in my town.
It soon becomes apparent that what you have actually done is to buy into a job-lot of doctrines, beliefs and customs. Most people adopt all of those without protest unaware of what is even happening.
In a very subtle way your acceptance by the group has become contingent on compliance and intellectual conformity. I remember being invited to speak to youth group in church. There was a Q&A session on any topic with no restrictions on the topics. I was asked about biblical literacy. I used the example, of Jonah to illustrate that the value of a story could be lost by focussing on whether it actually happened. There were tears and tantrums because I had denied that there was an actual man-swallowing fish.
I never accepted the doctrine of hell but attempting to discuss this with other experienced christians was a very uncomfortable ordeal. Although I still have friendly conversations with some from the church if I bump into them my rejection of faith has definitely destroyed friendships.
My old church were mostly a very lovely bunch of people but there is no denying they are a cult. Not as far along the spectrum as the Watchtower but a cult none the less.