Has any of you out there ever been converted to a new religion? If so what attracted you to it?

Answer 1

I went from Christianity to Paganism. I was not "converted". Nothing changed between God and I. Just how I view God and other people.

Freedom is what made the switch so much better.

Answer 2

I was brought up as a Baptist, left church when I was fourteen as I never could get my head around certain teachings, like we have all sinned, but Jesus died to save us. It's like we have been made to feel guilty about something we haven't done! From a very young child I just didn't think that was right. I have always believed that we are our own saviour, and whatever we do we should be accountable for.

I have always believed that life is eteral for everyone, that God is a loving God and would not turn His back on anyone. There is no Heaven or Hell, those that have done wrong will learn from their mistakes and have a chance to redeem themselves in the hereafter.

When I first entered a Spiritualist Church, like many I went for the spirit communication as it is something that I had been interested in for many years. Though I am now a medium myself, it is the philosophy behind Spiritualism that made me stay as many ideas and understanding of God and life after death are very much the same that I have had since a kid.

I have always said, and I know many who feel the same, when I first stepped foot in a Spiritualist Church, I felt like I was coming home.

Answer 3

I converted to the Bahai Faith a few years ago. What attracted me are its logic of the succession of the Prophets sent by God to guide mankind, called progressive revelation. Its main principles, like the independant investigation of the Truth, the compatibility of science and religion, the equality of men and women, unity of humankind, non-interference of religion and politics, equality of all human beings before the law. Its admistrative order is also unique, as it combines a hierarchy with democracy.

Answer 4

I wasn't converted to Paganism by someone else, but I did convert to it on my own. What first attracted me to it was that there is really no wrong way to practice, as long as I abide by the Rede. Another thing that attracted me to it was that it just plain felt right to me. I'm not a second degree Witch and I've never been happier.

Blessed Be.

Answer 5

I reconverted to Chrsitinaity

after growing up as a teenager in england most people wiuld become and athesits. the first reason i changed my mind was because i had a great teacher, who i could never beat with the arguments that had seemed so infallible on tv shows like hollyoaks - hwere i had got my sense of morality from up until then - ike so many teenagers.

then i read the quran, i couldn't beleive there was such a big difference between the religion of peace that christinaity had been to me, and such a comfort to a religion where i was convinced that hell fire was around teh corner, where there God is so cruel, where there prophet was a murderer. it made me wretch, i couldn't believe people could hold vilence to their heart like a member of their family. christinaity was warm, inviting and loving. God forgives as long as you ask. To Muslims God does not forgive if you have done certain things

Jesus loves you even if you hate him. it is so fantastic

Answer 6

I had been brought up in the Roman Catholic faith and like most children just accepted what ones parents guided you through. In my early teens I had been persuaded by my Mother to give Sunday school lessons to children who were not able to attend a Catholic school. When asked by a child a question I felt unable to answer I decided I had no right to be teaching religion and stopped giving the class. In my late teens just stopped all connection with the church as I found it provided no spiritual development. This did not mean I no longer believed in Christ’s teachings just that I found no purpose in ritual services.

In my mid twenties a colleague at work introduced me to Sahaja Yoga. This is a phenomenon that actually transforms ones perception and allows a universal understanding of world religions. There are many forms of yoga on offer in the East and West that are as hollow as the blind rituals within churches. Only Sahaja Yoga offers a complete understanding of ones self and others as it gives an enlightened awareness on your own central nervous system. This transformation is very real and a truly spiritual dimension to life is experienced. It enables a full appreciation of all true religions and empowers an individual to live without a self appointed hierarchy. I have no hesitation in recommending this path as it is one I practice to this day and has enabled me to fulfil my Mother’s desire to give lessons about religion. I now help provide weekly meetings locally and attend national and international seminars.

Sahaja Yoga is an ancient knowledge that has been revealed in our lifetime by a Lady called Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. You can find out more about this phenomenon and your nearest local meeting on the following web site: http://www.sahajayoga.org/whatissy/default.asp

Hope you find this useful much Love Sean

Answer 7

I left Christianity because there were questions which no-one could answer, the problem of pain, free will, justice, etc..
Spent some years not having any particular beliefs.
Found a book on Buddhism in the local library and Bingo! There were the answers to all my questions.
Because it made such sense to me, intellectually, I decided to give it a try.
Learned to meditate. Went on retreat in a Zen monastery a few times.
Haven't looked back. It has genuinely changed my life.

Answer 8

Heh...

Thelema. I was a teenager and into dark ****.
Buddhism. I liked the idea of escaping from suffering.
Islam. Monolithic, powerful, clear.
Christianity. Mercy and freedom.
Paganism. I needed the world to be alive.

FWIW, I'm figuring out how to be all of them at the same time. Except Thelema. Crowley was f*cked up.

Answer 9

Yes.Christianity.What attracted me was the fact that the people treated me as an equal,and that there was the promise of a fresh start.What made me leave was I found that after baptism,I was still gossipped about the same as before and a lot of people treated me in an off-hand manner just after the vicar had said "treat everybody the same!".

Answer 10

I sort of 'drifted' in to Taoism. I've always liked reading, and read several self help books, and some self help books based on Eastern thought, and then started reading more books on Taoism as a lot of the thoughts stood out as something that I liked. From there it just grew, until one day I sort of felt like this is who I am. I wasn't religious before, and I wasn't raised as religious - although there are Buddhist influences in my immediate family.