Christian answering questions too!

[PETE_ROSE]

I don't understand why people are Christians.

I understand why they believe the religion is true, but I don't understand why they then choose to be a part of it. (Disregarding peer pressure and abuse from society and such.)

Is it just to get rewards and to avoid punishments? Is that fundamentally the reason? I don't think I've ever heard anything sensible beyond this. If the rewards and punishments were removed, how many Christians would be left?

They want to worship the being that is threatening them with punishment? I really don't get it. If I thought it was real, I'd tell that being to fuck out of out of it.

  For me I had questions.  Where did we come from?  Why are we here?  Where are my loved ones that have departed this life?  What happens when I die?  I would consider myself a learned person, and I did not accept the answers that many churches have.  I looked at science and knowledge based things and many of the major religions in the world.  For me only the bible and Christ could tie all of those things together for me.  I really see the arguments against certain aspects but the more I look at it the more I honestly believe that science and the bible do not contradict each other.  Moreover, I find myself finding the bible is confirmed by science. 

 I do not follow Christ for rewards or out of a fear of punishment.  I understand that could be the perception many take away after a cursory examination.  I can only speak for myself however.  I fully agree with the concept of who would worship a being that is threatening them with punishment.  However, I do not believe this is the message found in God's word.  I would characterize it partly as a promise for justice.  The Lord does not force anyone to worship him.  I think a relationship and love between two people or with the Lord has to come freely and cannot be forced.  I would sincerely hope that I would be left as I truly do not believe I follow Christ out of a fear of damnation or for the promise of any reward in the next life. 

I have a good friend who believes he has taken an honest look at Christianity, tells me he believes it to be true even though he does not agree with God's motives or reasoning, and says that he is making a conscious decision to not have anything to do with it.  He is a great guy and from my perspective would not have to change his lifestyle or give anything up like many people think they would.  He just says he doesn't agree with it and chooses to go his own way.  I can respect that.  I feel for him because I am afraid he may regret that decision in eternity for the obvious reasons.  That is what I struggle with more than anything, is knowing people I really care about, (according to what I think may happen to them), will not be spending eternity with me.