Why is Christianity so successful in getting converts?

Question

My opinion is its so scary, the fact that if you don't believe the right things and the right way, you'll spend eternity in sorrow and agony, but whats yours? And if any of you die hards out there wanna say, "Because its true" don't bother wasting my time please.

Answer 1

I think it is because they have a large charity network, but they don't allow people to get the assistance until they declare themselves Christian. That is my understanding of how the system works.

Peace!

Answer 2

Because it's true. LOL. Well, it's certainly not because it scares people into believing. I don't think most people can really be scared into believing, and I think that those Christians who try to use the scare tactic to get people to believe (I never see that in the New Testament), are being very naive in thinking that will work.
I believe in the Holy Spirit. And I believe that the Holy Spirit does draw people's hearts to Christ.
On the other hand, I believe that people from some cultures are still attracted to the North American culture or the western European culture, and so some are possibly actually "converting" to conform. Although personally I don't call that true Christianity, it is an important cultural element and could be a part of your answer. From the remark you make at the end, I gather you don't agree with my comment about the Holy Spirit attracting people to Christ.
I was once in a group discussion being led by a Protestant minister, who was a teacher at the university I attended. He asked what was drawing young people, particularly violent, drug-taking, rebellious young people to Christ. This was back in 1969. I remember suggesting that some young people were attracted to the forgiveness they found in Christ. He said my answer was totally irrelevant. However, almost 40 years later, I think I would still come up with that answer.
EDIT:
One of the answers denies that people are being attracted to Christianity. However he or she is not aware that in 50 years of communism, the number of Christians in China increassed from a couple of hundred thousand to over 60 million. People are being attracted to Christianity all over the world that were not in Christian families. That does not prove anything about Christianity, it is just a fact that shows that your question is perfectly relevant.

Answer 3

that has been covered by documentaries on such as 60 minutes and the church attendence has been shrink for years, most particulary the catholic churches. all over the nation churches and the property are being sold. to consolidate their wealth in the remaing stronger locations. only the evangelical wings of the american religions show any growth. these traditional religions are on the wain, whether bad or good. pediphile preists, jimmy swiggart, etc. etc. have something to do with it. but with both parents working and struggling americans hardly have time for anything else but keeping up the mortgage, health care, food nad day care expenses. so many american children get little nurtureing and even less religous indoctrination. churches will continue to shrink. it looks like the demise of that aspect of our old culture. its a new world -- a brave new world.

Answer 4

The Bible never says if you dont believe the right things the right way you spend eternity in sorrow in agony... We are saved by Grace through Faith in Christ Jesus. No one believes everything the right way, each and every one of us is faulted in misunderstanding something Biblical but that doesnt mean we cannot remain faithful in Christ.... Here is a verse for you: Rev 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

See that? A GREAT MULTITUDE that no one could number! Every tribe, every language, from all over. Do you think a great multitude which no man can number from everywhere in the world believed everything correctly? I dont.... but dont you think there's probably a HUGE number of people who have had faith in Christ? It really isnt as hard as everyone thinks.

Answer 5

I'll get quite a few thumbs down for this, but here goes....
It's a protection racket. In big cities, someone might go around to small shops and offer "protection" from break-ins or theft. Those that don't pay get thrashed.

Christianity offers much the same thing. Plege alliegance or suffer the consequences. The difference is that you don't suffer the consequences until you die, but once you do, it will be for eternity.

Answer 6

I have two unrelated, non-conflicting theories.

First, because the basic message of Christian love is one of wild optimism. It is nicer if God loves you than if God is just waiting for you to screw up so he can smite you or otherwise ruin your day or life. Believing in and practicing abundent love is really a more effective way to live than living in fear and focusing on scarcity. Even if you think faith is unreasonable, it is still a good alternative to equally unreasonable fears. People who go around being afraid of everything wont recognize actual danger when it faces them.

My second theory is that the story of the death of Jesus appeals to our animalistic bloodthirsty nature. I wonder if God sent Jesus a bunch of other times but without that dramatic ending, the story failed to gain enough popular support to survive the ages. It is a rather grim theory.
But there you have it.

Answer 7

Some people know when the truth stares them in the face. Your question implies you have never faced death or persecution like others around the world. Why don't you ask the converts why they believe? I am sure you will definitely get an answer, but the question is will you listen? Your impression of Christainity is already based on things you don't understand and you never will unless you check your pride and grudges at the door. Why don't you check out the facts before you blindly show your ignorance.

Answer 8

You just answered your own question. "If you don't believe the right things and the right way, you'll spend eternity in sorrow and agony."

Fear

Answer 9

Honestly, b/c I think some Christians are too pushy about their religion. I'm not knocking anyone's personal beliefs, do what you want. But I do believe that one should not push the idea of being saved or finding God, to someone that does not believe. I am religious myself, and have friends that do not believe in God; however, I would never try to convert them. If they were interested in my religion or beliefs, I am more then willing to answer questions. But, I don't believe it's my place to preach to them. My religion is my own business.

Answer 10

Their marketing has always been brilliant.

1. make everyone without exception sick (sinner)
2. offer the treatment (Jesus)
3. if you do accept you go to heaven
4. if you don’t accept you get deep fried

And the most brilliant part is you have to die to find out if their offer is real. How ingenious is that?

Answer 11

...You seem hesitant to believe on Christ - why is that? What is so important that you feel you cannot trust in Jesus?
...RE success in getting converts - here's why.
..1) There are Christian converts because an act of God's grace has taken place in a believer's life. Christ has changed them from the inside out - God is calling out a people for Himself. No person can make another believe on Christ.
...John 6:44 says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. "
...2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; the old things have passed away, behold new things have come."
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...One must trust in Christ alone for salvation, that's all.
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...RE Hell - the Bible does describe Hell in a frightening way - a place of fire, of wailing and gnashing of teeth, a place of outer darkness, and away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power. God's word doesn't sugar-coat it, and why should we?
...Hebrews 2:3 says, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? There is no escape - come to Jesus and be saved.
...Many seem to complain about Christians sharing the Gospel - if your house was on fire and you were asleep, would you be content to burn up with the house? Wouldn't you want others to wake you and warn you to get out?
...Jesus of Nazareth, a real, historical figure, was witnessed by the Bible, secular historians of His day, and millions of changed lives. He made some incredible claims about Himself - He claimed to be God and only way to God. Now who is He to you - is a liar, a lunatic, a legend, or is He Lord as He said? He really leaves you no wiggle room on this one. If what the Bible says is true, we are in real trouble and need the Savior to rescue us.
...He also offers peace and rest. He says this in Matthew 11:28-30
... 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
...29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
...30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
...Life is full of troubles and trials - Jesus invites us to come to Him, to learn of Him, to rest in Him, and to trust in Him.
...Whosoever will, may come.