Are there factors that contribute to an Agnostic/Atheist converting to a religion like Christianity?

Question

Disclaimer: I'm an Agnostic who won't convert unless I talk to God. When talking to people sometimes they try to convert me. Last night was a classic example, as I was told about how God gave the Leviticus dietary laws and played the role of the modern day health department. My reaction was, how fast can I get this person to go away. Intellectually, if I saw a bunch of people dieing from shrimp 4000 years ago, I'd probably write a law about how shrimp was bad. The difference between then and now is then I could say its the word of God, in modern times I would say "this product is banned because we've determined significant health risk". Shrimp is not banned anymore and is probably something we all eat if we enjoy, it never factors into our minds that its against Godlaw in Leviticus 11:9-12.
We do see warning labels on smoking. We read in magazines about the health risk of fast food. But these are based on scientific research.

So what factors contribute to a "conversion"?

Answer 1

I think the only real thing that can contribute to a 'conversion' is a person's heart and soul, and the way God chooses to move in them. You say you won't convert unless you talk to God. Some people, when they do convert, consider what happens during that time as God talking to them.

I think the problem with many Christians today is that they are focused so much on 'converting' people that they forget something I was taught a few years ago: God doesn't usually use the same person to get someone to Him. He takes people through friendships and trials, love, life, etc, and usually a 'conversion' is the end result of a lot of different people's prayers and friendships.

Since you know that I'm a Christian and we've talked about it a little bit, can I ask you this: If someday you did finally talk to God and were to believe because of that talk with Him, would you be able to contribute any of that conversion to what we've talked about, or would it just be from what God tells you?

It's just a question. I'm just saying, there are many factors over a person's lifetime that bring them to God.

Answer 2

I have not changed religions, and I generally don't try to influence the opinions or beliefs of others, as opposed to answering questions or stating my own opinions. (I do generally blast racists and other people I consider bigots here from time to time.) Whether it's out of respect or selfishness, I honestly don't know. My own and my family's problems take up most of my attention.

I believe C. S. Lewis, the writer famous for Narnia, was an atheist who converted to Christianity. His works, including Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters, are widely read. I am not terribly familiar with him, but that might be an interesting source.

PS Interesting, obscure fact. He, along with Aldous Huxley I believe, both passed away on November 22, 1963. But each received little coverage since JFK's murder was the story of the day.

PPS Jesus seemed to dismiss the dietary laws also, saying in effect that what comes out of your mouth (your words and actions) is more important than what goes into it. Obviously there's a split between belief systems as to the dietary laws.

Answer 3

Well, I think that for the most part it's all based on 'probablies and perhapses'. If you believe in God and become a Christian and a 'happy' follower of the teachings.. 2 things could happen when you die.. if there is a God, then you're golden and you're going to heaven (blah blah blah) .. if there isn't a God and there isn't a heaven then it doesn't matter that you believed because you're dead. I think that Agnostics get converted because they believe in something, and if they've been presented with a good enough argument FOR Christianity, then they'll choose.
Athiests I think convert after some life altering experience.

Answer 4

Something happens to you. An example of this would be you were in a car accident or something of that level, and almost died. But you didn't, that is a work of God. One thing i think most Atheists don't understand is that not everything needs to have a logical reason in order for them to believe it exists. Yes we could all say 'Oh so that makes Santa Clause real!", No but we all KNOW he isn't. The fact that the Universe exists, the EARTH exists and the human race that was created after Gods very own image exists still doesn't seem to be enough. Its like saying oh I don't believe in wind or air, because I can't see it, yet we feel and breath it everyday.

Answer 5

It's highly unlikely that they would choose to practice Christianity. Most american agnostic/atheist have decided that they don't believe in God simply because they are rejecting Christianity and the Xtian perception of God. Notice how Sean has very little to say about non-Christian religions or alternative beliefs about God.

The Christian Universe is narrow and it's possibilities are limited.
Agnostics/atheists have already rejected this universe.

Conversion to Christianity happens mostly when someone has sufferered from drug-addiction, emotional/physical abuse or other destructive lifestyles. Christianity can help them reclaim their lives by helping them surrender their power to a harmless ideal, instead of the usual destructive forces.

Answer 6

It seems that many people will proclaim faith in God or Jesus 'just in case'. 'Just in case' there is a Heaven and/or Hell so that they can ensure that they will not go to Hell. I believe it is wrong for any person to choose a religion based on the idea that they want to be saved just in case there is a God. I see this mainly in Christians although I'm sure other religions have these kinds of followers as well.

Personally, I am agnostic and no one could convince me to believe otherwise. Reason and logic are what rings true to me and no argument from any Christian faith has offered me reason and/or logic as a reason to believe what they believe. No one can force another person to believe something that does not ring true to me. Personally, I don't think humans can help what we believe. It's a matter of conditioning as well as what our mind perceives to be possible or impossible.

Answer 7

Yep, fear is probably the big pusher into a religion for most people. Poverty can leave some with no where else to turn but an imaginary friend who they're told might help. Physical pain and suffering do it for some people. None of those things have made me want to start deludeing myself, so I can't relate.

Answer 8

Thanks for giving me my first real laugh of the day, Jim. I can certainly understand why you'd want this person to go away, particularly because s/he was wrong about the "health department" thing ... but that's a different subject.

The Bible tells us there are two requirements for a true "conversion": belief (faith) and a humble spirit that agrees to submit to God. I can't tell you how many false conversions we see because the person fails to humble him or herself. How each of us finds faith is different; there are as many stories as there are Born Again Christians. Like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike.

Jim, if you want to "talk to God," you can do it whenever you wish. If you want Him to answer, all you have to do is RESPECTFULLY and HUMBLY ask Him to reveal Himself to you. That's what I did and His answer was so powerful, even the "What Should I Do" guy wouldn't have to ask "What Should I Do?"

Peace.

Answer 9

In the case of CS Lewis it was the persistant friendship and chalenges of people around him like Tolkien

In the case of Anthony Flew the famous aethist philosopher turned theist, it was a combination of the friendship of Richard Habermass and his arguments which included arguments of creation from design

In the case of Job Martin, it was students who challenged him to examine the bomedier beetle and his assumptions

In the case of Josh MacDowell (evidense that demands a verdict) and Morrison (who mosed the stone) and Lee Stoebel (case for faith) and Simon Greenleaf (testimony of the evangelist) They looked into it themselves and examined the data concluding it was true

In the end, it is the amazing grace of God that allows a rational faith to be acccepted by a heart changed by God

Answer 10

God never promised us an easy life......the biggest factor contributing to a meaningful conversion is: when one has no place to go but on their knees because of some pain in their life that is totally unbearable to carry by themselves. It happens every day..........I saw a loved one who was agnostic watch a newborn child struggle to live with not much of a medical hope. He actually dropped to his knees and said,"God, if you need someone, please take me instead of Jack". He has been a changed person since that day......it is up to you, friend...not being a bit sarcastic.....just saying it the way it is....Peace