Did most Christians become Christians because of research or were they just born into it?

Question

Most Atheists became Atheists because of research. Too bad Christians can't say the same about their belief

Answer 1

The #1 predictor of a person's religion is what their parents' religion is, and that's a fact.

Sort of goes against the idea that there really is one true religion.

Answer 2

I believe that most Christians hold their beliefs because their parents did. They grew up being forced to go to church and told if they were bad they would go to Hell. They were taught to fear God and be good little boys and girls and they would go to Heaven.

Personally, I suppose you would say I am agnostic. (I'm still researching). I was raised Catholic. I was forced to go to Church every week and actually was forced to go to Catholic School until I was in high school. After doing research and thinking for myself I realize that I do not have Christian beliefs at all.

Every Christian I know, however, is the opposite. They never bother to question their beliefs and look for real answers. They believe what they have been told. These things have been put in their little heads from the time of birth - they don't know what else to believe. If they were born in Asia, they would probably be Buddhist. If they were born in Mexico, they would be Catholic. etc...

It's a matter of society and culture. People tend to believe what they have alwyas been taught. Then there are a few who actually want to make an informed decision about their convictions.

Answer 3

No-matter what you were born into at some point, you make your own decisions in what you believe. A lot of atheist are that way because they have no religion back ground, or even some who do. Some people are born with a christian back ground and still when they are older choose to go another way. To say that Christians are Christians because they were born into it is just ignorance. Everyone is born into something and usually they follow pretty close when they make their own decisions. It could be any religion or even atheist. If your parents are christian and you choose to be atheist, usually because of a bad experience or something - and I have known people who have atheist parents and chose religion - so don't just assume. Usually when you research you are one sided anyway - At some point in every ones lives they are old enough to choose what to believe no matter what they were raised in.

Answer 4

I can't say I know a Christian that became one after years of study and deep consideration. Everyone that I know is that way because their parents or other family are Christians. Otherwise there were other influential people that persuade them to do so, but most don't study the history of context of it. They seem to like the idea of being "saved" and so forth.

My husband was a Christian, and I tried very hard to be supportive of him. I went to church and such, and I spent a lot of time studying Christianity to try and understand him. My study eventual led him to see the errors in what he was taught as a child. It had quite the opposite effect as he is now a happy Pagan.

I am pursuing a Religion degree, and a lot of what I have studied is Christianity. Sadly, I know more about Christianity than many Christians do. What's scary is that I know things that Christian leaders don't know. Many Christian, I have found, don't know much about their religion except that there is a salvation factor. This lack of knowledge stems from many recent movements in the last few hundred years towards anti-intellectualism.

Answer 5

I was born to a family with Lutheran father and Orthodox mother. Religion did not play a big role in my family. I had confirmation at age 15. I believed since I was a child, the confirmation school time I started to check into my Bible.

I lost my Christian faith later on. Not due to research but my faith just faded away when I did not go to the church, I did not have Christian friends who were very sharing with their faith, and I did not pray or read Bible anymore.

It was just around 7 years ago that God really wanted my attention, and He was leading me to my current church. Non-denominational Christian church where we keep the Bible as the center of the teachings and we believe that Jesus is the Son of living God, our Lord and Savior.

To believe and to really have faith, two different things. It is easier to believe when you have faith. Satan wants to plant the doubt and that brings confusion...and the faith starts to fade. I found my faith when I realized how much of an evidence of the life and death of Jesus we have outside of the Bible. It sure feels great to have faith. I did a lot of research, and that is why I believe.

What comes to the Atheist. It is a good thing that they made their decision. God respects that. It is about the free will. There are so many people out there that they have not made up their mind.

Answer 6

Why does it matter to YOU?? If you are happy as an atheist then go about your happy life.. You will have a great time and when the end comes you will see if you are right or not...In the mean time as we get ready for WW3 just be happy and have a good time and ignore the christians as you think we are crazy anyway..

Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

Answer 7

Most Christians are so because that is the only religion they have been exposed to. Had they been born in Iran to Muslim parents, they would be just as adamant that Islam is the truth. Most atheists reach their conclusion after years of investigation and consideration.

Answer 8

christians dont read there bible so they have no clue about it really.

i became a spiritualist and i was raised a atheist and i have also looked into christianity and to be honest the christians are only in it out of fear of a place that doesnt exist anyways. if you ask me i think most christians are forced into it or brainwashed by there parents as they where growing up its called emotional abuse the bible is full of hate and voilence no wonder we have such hateful people in this world and they are forcing it on there kids its sick and it needs to stop

Answer 9

You are so much better than the rest of us...I was raised in the cults. You don't just decide one day Oh I think I'll give all this up and find out about what is being taught on the outside and what is really true. And you call Christians bigots...

Answer 10

I can't speak for everyone, but I was not born into Christianity. It definitely took a lot of searching and understanding before I decided to give my life to Christ. There was both searching and life experiences which brought me to the point of saying yes, I do believe.

Answer 11

yes i do know of many but the main one is Josh Mcdowell, he firsted started out trying to totally disprove the whole christianity thing, but in the middle of his research after years, he stated that "the evidence is overwhelming!" so he changed to christianity and now writes alot of books for all the main questions about christianity.....