silentknight Posted August 4, 2012 Posted August 4, 2012 One question that has no good answer that I can see is "why be Christian in the first place?" Obviously a christian will say to save your soul from torment. That's not what I mean. Christians have no proof that their religion is the "one". Any other religion that's faith based could be valid. What if Hinduism was the majority here in America? It seems the main argument that I should believe in Christ is because a lot of other people do... All apologetics I've seen make no attempt to explain why THIS God is better, besides the God himself saying he is... Have any of you, dear friends, heard any interesting answers to this question. For me, this is a good way to ground myself when I feel "everyone" around me is Christian. If a God does exist - why should it be this one?
freeasabird Posted August 4, 2012 Posted August 4, 2012 The question is only obvious because you have the courage to ask it.
mymistake Posted August 4, 2012 Posted August 4, 2012 One of two reasons: 1. Your parents indoctrinated you when you were at an age where humans are hard wired to believe what your parents tell you. 2. You were going through extreme stress and your life hit rock bottom. A Christian offered you religion as a way out and you took it. Even if it is just a placebo effect there is no denying that reason two works. Many people use Christianity as a crutch to bring order to their lives. 1
JoeCoastie Posted August 4, 2012 Posted August 4, 2012 Why else target the poor and destitute in missionary efforts.
Mike D Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 In the US, Christians are Christians because it's convenient. Either because of geography, family/friends, or availability and access to places of worship, study materials, etc. If you lived in Kuwait lets say, you would say the same thing about Islam. If you were in Delhi, you would say the same thing about Hinduism. Religious "truth" is purely a cultural phenomenon. 2
mcdaddy Posted August 5, 2012 Posted August 5, 2012 Hmmmmm. I wonder why xians don't target students in higher learning programs??? They're sinners in need of a savior too???!!??? Especially those EBIL RELEEGYUN MAJOORS!!!
LifeCycle Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 Because we're social by nature and the church is a convenient outlet for that. Group gatherings with great food... A support circle of friends who "care" about your needs etc. IMHO, it's why so many stay involved because many times that social aspect is the glue that keeps a Christian a Christian, IMHO.
silentknight Posted August 6, 2012 Author Posted August 6, 2012 Because we're social by nature and the church is a convenient outlet for that. Group gatherings with great food... A support circle of friends who "care" about your needs etc. IMHO, it's why so many stay involved because many times that social aspect is the glue that keeps a Christian a Christian, IMHO. Yes.. but why not form a club? Start a social hobby? Why does it have to be "social group by shared delusion"?
LifeCycle Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 Because we're social by nature and the church is a convenient outlet for that. Group gatherings with great food... A support circle of friends who "care" about your needs etc. IMHO, it's why so many stay involved because many times that social aspect is the glue that keeps a Christian a Christian, IMHO. Yes.. but why not form a club? Start a social hobby? Why does it have to be "social group by shared delusion"? There's no great club to join than the one that grants immortality to its members.
silentknight Posted August 6, 2012 Author Posted August 6, 2012 Well, I've never been very social either. I'm thinking I'm missing the religion/social group impulse
jefflives Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 One of two reasons: 1. Your parents indoctrinated you when you were at an age where humans are hard wired to believe what your parents tell you. 2. You were going through extreme stress and your life hit rock bottom. A Christian offered you religion as a way out and you took it. Even if it is just a placebo effect there is no denying that reason two works. Many people use Christianity as a crutch to bring order to their lives. This. So many I found in the church were suffering some sort of problem, lonliness, depression, etc. Christianity was a way where they felt they could let it all go without any worry/responsibility. Then one day they realize things aren't really getting better...
Kaiser01 Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 Indoctrination ussualy, i mean its not like alot of people convert to Christianity wilingly, unless their world view is limited or they come in contact with one of teh few religious intellectuals.
thetourist Posted August 10, 2012 Posted August 10, 2012 Because some bitch of a science teacher (ironic, eh?) at a Christian elementary school scared the eleven year old shit out of me. I think most people become Christians through indoctrination, while irrationally emotional or some combination of the two. The real question, for me, is why to people stay Christians for so long? For myself, I think it was because I was surrounded by Christians in a school/church environment. If I hadn't been, I'd have given up waaayyyyy earlier. I lasted less than a year after leaving that, as I'd been having doubts already. I don't really understand how some of the kids I grew up with who attended a secular school and then went on to secular higher ed stayed Christians despite being surrounded by so much real knowledge that speaks to the contrary and not being indoctrinated by their parents anymore. Kinda blows my mind.
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