the expression 'return to the fold' is contentious as it implies a manifest ovine nature in human behaviour. bleat, bleat, bleat...
it's similar to the expression 'el efecto ±u (gnu)' in spanish, conjuring up, in my mind, images of anxious, bearded, frothing at the mouth, cloven hooved beasts trying to cross the crocodile infested waters of the serenghetti national park.
one recklessly jumps into the water & the rest follow suit.
the survival instinct & the promise of sweet grazing pastures on the other side makes them throw all caution to the wind.