why did you become a christian?

[Esquilax]

Why do you care?

Because people are interesting, and sometimes their stories lead to interesting discussions?

[Esquilax]

And then some things happened that would not be taken seriously in this forum but they were so specific to me and who I was at the time that to challenge them would be to challenge who I am or ever was as a person. And so here I am.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but you asked and so I am offering it up.

Whenever I hear someone say something along the lines of "something happened to me, but you would never believe it," my question back is always, so why did you?

That's the thing, the person saying that rarely thinks that they're less rational or committed to truth than the next person, so why is it that they think somebody in full possession of their story wouldn't believe it? What's the missing link?

Methinks it's just another way of keeping those delicate beliefs away from critical examination.

[FallentoReason]

I can't remember a time when I didn't think God was obvious and necessary.

Then you haven't once asked yourself why you believe in the first place.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Why do you care?

Because people are interesting, and sometimes their stories lead to interesting discussions?

If someone is sincere then I am happy to share, plus the Great Commission and all. In my experience any thread along the lines of "question for theists" is bait for a mockery trap.

[Esquilax]

If someone is sincere then I am happy to share, plus the Great Commission and all. In my experience any thread along the lines of "question for theists" is bait for a mockery trap.

And in all of this, did you stop to consider the possibility that the reason for such mockery might have nothing to do with a pre-planned trap, but with the perceived ridiculousness of your beliefs?

Hey, that's the way it goes, and if we're wrong we're wrong, but the only way any of us are ever going to change our views to the correct ones is if we honestly engage with questions like this one.

[Neo-Scholastic]

And honest question leads to more questions and hopefully understanding. To ask a question for the sole purpose of extracting information so as to launch an attack is childish. When you reply with a statement about the "perceived ridiculousness of your beliefs" how does that lead to an interesting discussion? Sorry, I'm becoming very disillusioned with the forum.

[Esquilax]

And honest question leads to more questions and hopefully understanding. To ask a question for the sole purpose of extracting information so as to launch an attack is childish. When you reply with a statement about the "perceived ridiculousness of your beliefs" how does that lead to an interesting discussion? Sorry, I'm becoming very disillusioned with the forum.

I stress perceived, there: no matter how ridiculous we think your beliefs are, that doesn't make them any less or more true. I've stated numerous times that I can be converted by a sufficiently convincing presentation of evidence; this question of the user's religious origin stories might be what does that. I'm not trying to be hostile, here; I do think christian beliefs are silly, but this question does interest me because if they bear out to be true, I'll believe them anyway. I find chihuahuas to be ridiculous too, but they do exist.

My point was that, rather than thinking of questions like this as a concerted effort to attack the things you believe, it's entirely possible that the ridicule comes from a genuine- if mistaken, from your perspective- belief, too. Such things can be corrected, but seeing it as a deliberate, premeditated attack is giving up before even trying.

[Zazzy]

I find chihuahuas to be ridiculous too, but they do exist.

Have you ever been attacked by one? I have, and it was mean little fucker, not ridiculous at all- ripped up my ankle. And I couldn't really fight it off because even a little kick would have likely crippled it.

[Anomalocaris]

Why do you care?

Because I want to rummage through what passes for your brain with drills, saws, and foreceps, to see if there really is anything more to you than the bag of viscous ooze at the top end of your spinal cord.

[Bob Kelso]

*Parody*

I was working on a fishing troller and trolling was all I ever knew. I didn't really know god at the time, but friends said I was a jerk and that I needed god. I was never very excited by what the bible said, and I thought christians were stupid for not realizing that the bible could be read however you like, and that you could rearrange events and times to actually write your own version of a personal and unique god account. Once I learned that, and that if spelled vertically, god's name could also mean whatever I wanted, I had no choice, and so I sold out and branded my own religion. Now, I can do whatever I want, whenever I please. My version of god allows me to rant and carry on in which ever manner I deem accords with my ever-changing brand of god. The best thing is my new flexible religion allows me to continue what I once loved doing so much, and I can continue trolling to my heart's delight. Ahhh the blissful ignorance.

Meow, blub blub.