Why do Christians become Christians?

[Time Traveler]

I think another reason this resonates with people is Jesus' main message that forgiveness, personal peace, a relationship with God, and eteral life is possible. 
a. there are a lot of people, who have had tough experiences that find the forgiveness and internal peace very appealing.
b. when you meet someone who has been a Christian a long time and exemplifies Jesus' teachings and shares how God has been a constant comfort and support to them in their daily lives, that is very appealing as well.
c. eternal life, how can you beat that? This component also helps you make sense/cope of the shortness of life, tragedies, and pain endured while we are here. 

Another appealing quality of Christianity is having the question of purpose and place in the universe answered. 
a. with atheism, at best, you are a happy accident with no overall purpose that will very shortly die and cease to exist.
b. contrast that with the purpose of man is to "Glorify God and enjoy him forever". We were created for a reason and daily life has purpose and you really want others to know what you have found. 

Your argument here is one of "appeal." And I actually agree with you. Religions, like politicians, have often had to compete with one another by making the most appealing promises - regardless of whether or not those claims are true or can ever come to fruition. "Eternal life, how can you beat that?" is a direct example of something that appeals to pretty much everyone... but that doesn't make it remotely true! I think the primary difference between theists and atheists is that atheists are willing to take the world as it is, on its own terms, whereas theists find the need to psychologically wrap themselves in a protective blanket of happy fantasies. So you're right, Steve - your religion makes many "appealing" and extraordinary promises whereas atheism does not always paint the picture many might desire; but that should be all the more reason why you should scrutinize the validity of seductive theistic claims. If, that is, the truth of reality is more important to you than appealing fantasy.