Atheists - What do you think are the top ten reasons why Christians are Christians, or Theists of any religion

Question

It's okay if you can't make it to ten.

wow, very good answers so far
how will i pick!

Answer 1

Because that's how they were raised.
Because society rewards following the majority religion.
Because it offers social belonging.
Because it offers child care and rational for child discipline.
Because it excuses bad behavior.
Because it allows one to feel special without having to actually do anything (you know, the whole self esteem thing).
Because it really IS difficult to understand how things work, and it's easier to just pretend you already know.
Because we have innate predispositions to attribute events to intentional causes.
Because we have innate predispositions to affiliate with an in-group and to identify and demonize out-grloups.
Because the media explicity promote religious belief.

Answer 2

Five answers so far, and none of them are right.

My top five reasons for becoming a Christian:
1. The archaeological evidence that supports the Bible.
2. The historical evidence that supports the Bible.
3. The scientific evidence that supports the existence of God, even if there is no actual PROOF.
4. The miracles I've witnessed.
5. Philosophy.

It has NOTHING to do with indoctrination. If that was true, then ALL children who are raised in a Christian home would become Christian adults, and ALL children who are raised in atheist households would stay atheist. I've known examples of both.

And I have NEVER feared death, not when I was an atheist, and not now.

Interesting question, by the way. I know it was addressed to atheists, but I couldn't resist putting my two cents in.

Answer 3

I've had an ongoing conversation with a co-worker of mine who figured out I was an atheist in the first week of knowing me. She's just always found Christianity compelling, and has always been able to believe even though she has no trouble spotting inconsistencies in things she was taught. I don't think you choose what you find believable.

Answer 4

1. Born into Xtian family
2. Suffered tragedy, turned to God
3. Married into it
4. Was "bribed" to believe in god (missionary work)
5. Saw opportunity for respect and control (preachers only)
6. Enjoy traditions like mass etc. Belief is secondary
7. Read the bible (This might only work if there is another element as well the bible is pretty ridiculous
8. Went to AA, God barged in with the 12 step program
9. Community pressure
10. Depressive personality (catholics particularily)

Answer 5

As far as quantifying and listing my ten (sic) reasons for believing let me just say this: Scientists, astronomers, physicists etc. continually tell us how large and complex the universe is -right? So for me I'd be quite disappointed (as a soul) if this is all that there is; my life on a small planet orbiting a small (by stellar comparison) star in an obscure corner of an unremarkable galaxy.

For me the real miracle of creation is that I am here and that my soul WILL continue into the next world.

Answer 6

1. Because their parents taught it to them from infancy
2. Because of the "god of the gaps" - when something doesn't make sense, it has a godly explanation
3. You get eternal life for yourself
4. You get to see dead loved ones again
5. A handy moral code, so you don't have to think about morality
6. Society is Christian, so it's easier
7. You get a premade social group
8. The power of the idea of changing things thru prayer
9. Because "faith" seems like a virtue
10. Because it just "feels better" to think that the all powerful creator of all that exists cares deeply about you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.

Answer 7

1. Their parents were christians
2. Fear of death and hell
3. Promise of heaven
4. Give them the "warm fuzzies"
5. Avoids painful philosophical pondering
6. We've been conditioned to blindly follow leaders
7. Most people around them are christians
so they feel "right" and on the "winning team"
8. Assuages their guilt

Answer 8

1. Religion integrated into their lives when they are young.
2. Fear of eternal torture
3. Fear of the unknown after death
4. Comfort/Security
5. Companionship
6. An explanation to the unknown

Answer 9

1) Indoctrination
2) Brainwashing
3) Fear
4) Stupidity
5) Gullibility

Answer 10

1. Superiority complex
2. Daddy complex
3. Fear of death
4. Mental weakness
5. An excuse to be bigoted
6. Childhood indocrination
7. Mental retardation
8. Lack of understanding of science and evolution
9. Narrow mindedness
10. Fear of being persecuted by other Christians.