Has anyone ever converted by reading the actual bible?

Question

I mean, I read it. It was mostly interesting (although the begats were dreadful, they should move that to an appendix) and quite surreal in places but I fail to see how anyone could say
"Oh, is THAT how it works. Well, I'm convinced".

Do you have to have a basic level of god-belief before you can start thinking the bible makes sense?

Brian: I think an omniscient being would know if you were sincere, and how can you pray without believing?

SDW: that is very kind of you, thanks. The amount of people who blocked me belie your words, though ;)

Answer 1

I converted after reading the children's bible. The real one is WAY too complicated.

Answer 2

I've also read the whole bible and the so-called "lost" books such as the book of Enoch. A lovely fairy tale, slightly less enjoyable than the Greek mythologies, more sombre than the mythologies of Japan, China and India, less wise than the sayings of Buddha, actually less bloodthirsty than Norse mythologies, far too similar to a lot of the Egyptian myths. The list does go on...
I think most people heard about the religion first before reading or knowing of the bible. I mean, in the times when it was written, put together, etc. very few people were literate and throughout most of the 1500 years of its domination, the church ensured that it stayed that way.

Answer 3

I was raised atheist and no I didn't believe in God as a child, I was taught that I will make my own future and I did so by going to jail, and the only book that they would let me have was the Bible, it sat in my cell about two days, and after I was done drawing pictures on the walls I read it, at first I will tell you I couldn't really believe this stuff actually happened, but the more I read the more I was grabbed to follow, I know yea yea yea but I believe now, and always will just because I read the Bible.

Answer 4

I did. Especially reading Daniel and Revelations. In it's entirety, the Bible is simply an amazing book, full of wisdom. I didn't choose to believe, it sort of creeped up on me. Living by the advice from the Bible has turned my life around and made me a better person. Some people believe it is fiction, so be it. Still, they can't refute that it is Full of great suggestions and wise sayings. And ultimately, evolution just doesn't make any sense to ME.

Answer 5

Rom 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Back in early Christian times, there was no Bible as we know it today, the message was preached orally and people heard it. BUT real hearing, not passive, ho-hum, I wish he would hurry up and finish hearing, the kind of hearing which leads one to faith, comes only from God. Only He will open your ears to hear, if you are willing. If you aren't willing, then He isn't going to smack you upside the head and say "listen up buddy" Personally, I was converted upon hearing other people's testimonies and the power that God had demonstrated in their lives. I don't think the Bible would even make sense without the Holy Spirit guiding you.

Answer 6

That's how I got started. (The last part, that is)

Step one for me was coming to the conclusion that the existence of some supreme being was the only reasonable explanation for the universe. After that it was basic tenets of different faiths, and after reviewing the basics of most of the major world religions Christianity was the one that seemed closest to the truth.

The begats were dreadful--did you actually do the first 9 chapters of I Chronicles at once?!?!? My condolences. I actually felt Leviticus was worse... it's almost like Moses was trying to find as many different ways as possible to say the sentence "Don't have sex with a donkey."

And, on a completely unrelated note, I would like to thank you for being the most level-headed and reasonable Atheist on this forum. You actually make this fun for a lot of us.

Answer 7

The BIble is truly a guiding light to a vast majority who read it.It is only when you put these words into action...living the life which is explained you get to reading it to understand better and better.......
I do not believe in conversion but I am very sure one can change ones life for the better by reading , interpreting and living the life recommended.

Answer 8

If you established a religion purely on the bible with no indoctrination, you would end up mostly sacrificing animals an killing people who did anything on a Saturday.

Answer 9

I guess I have. I prayed for a bible and one just found its way to me. Best bible I have seen. Uses modern english

Answer 10

Yes, I was converted reading the Bible. I was not a kind of person, who was patient. I was an angry person. But Bible changed me. I was a worldly person. Bible changed me. I was a selfish person. Now I am not. So Bible converts people