Why do Christians become Christians?

[drfuzzy]

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Well, here is a 2015 Pew study about religions in America - Pew Studies are pretty dependable.  http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanin...study.html



Evangelical numbers have held pretty steady in America, and Evangelicals are the only groups that have "gained more than they have lost".  
"Over the past seven years, evangelicals lost almost 8.5 percent of adherents and gained almost 10 percent for a net gain of 1.5 percent since 2007."

Of course, this doesn't talk about WHY adults would join a church.  It would be easy to propose that the "feel-good, warm and fuzzy, god will take care of you and bless you" messages coming from the Joel Osteens' and Megachurches might be appealing to some.  
    I don't see how you can dismiss "1) biological and social evolution and 2) cultural influence."  I have friends who adore their "Megachurch family" and all of the social activities it provides.  They never mention Jesus.  I could name 3 that have told me that they believe the Bible is a bunch of motivational fables.
    I'm sure there are some adults who hear the story of Jesus dying for their sins, don't question it, and fall down sobbing on the altar.  I can't figure out why they would, but there are all types of people in the world.

And that "missionary success" bit has a lot more to do with feeding starving people while forcing them to listen to fairy tales, and then the children start believing those fairy tales - that's how it works.  Again, economic hardship, lack of education, and doing whatever it takes to survive.  And sure, some will grab onto that promise of heaven - the ultimate con.

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Thanks for the thoughtful response. I'm curious about your friends. Did they grow up in the church or become Christians as adults?

 I don't know.  I can ask.  I THINK all three grew up Christian, but I'm not sure.

My point in response to your social reasons, is why evangelical churches? There are plenty of other churches who do not emphasis Jesus and thousands of organizations that could provide social interaction. As you put it, this choice comes with fables and fairy tales and someone else characterized it as a bunch of baggage.

 That's very true. I have wondered why a church and not the area community center classes, for example.  Inspirational stories?  The idea of an invisible sky-daddy taking care of you?  My young cousin was really involved with her church for a few years.  I had to ask her to stop claiming that God helped her with things like finding a close parking spot so she could buy a slushie without walking too far.     And I was wondering why the Unitarian Churches weren't mentioned.  They are nominally Jesus-ish . . . one Unitarian Minister friend I have claims that they are growing at an amazing rate.

Regarding missionaries, I'm sure what you described happens. But I think one would have to have more warrant than it seems you do to make a sweeping generalization like. I have been to India on a missions trip. The people we encountered and the local organization was not centered around feeding the hungry. It was centered around village churches with native pastors and a training school that could not keep up with teaching new pastors.

 True, I have not heard great stories about missionaries even when I was in the church.  I still sometimes play the organ for Mass at an area church that has an Indian priest.  He says that the seminaries are packed there.  It's quite a mystery.