For spiritual practice to bear fruit it must come from the heart.  There is no place for assertive proselytisation, coercion or manipulation. 

Many people regularly attend and benefit from Buddhist gatherings and meditations  without necessarily calling themselves 'Buddhist'. In many ways the Buddhist religion and Buddhism were really a Victorian invention, a way of labeling the spiritual practices prevalent in many far-eastern countries.  

However, many do formally take refuge in the ' triple gem'; the Buddha (the historical Buddha and clear awareness), the Dhamma (the truth and the teachings), and the Sangha (that which is wholesome, and virtuous friends and company on the path). Taking the refuges simply means saying 'I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

Taking refuge is something we do when we are in danger of some sort, or we have to escape from a threatening situation. Buddhists choose to take refuge in intuitive awareness, virtue and 'good' friends - in intelligence and non-delusion. The 'threat' that we are taking refuge from is greed, hatred and delusion and their consequence - suffering. 

We all take solace (or refuge) in something - even if we do not regard ourselves as 'religious'. Depending upon our conditioning, environment, and habitual tendencies we may seek salvation in work; in political ideologies; in relationships; in sport; in drink or drugs. Although obviously these things are not all harmful, they are not the answer to our spiritual aspirations. For that we need to look within.