Christians: Why did you stay in the faith?

[All Along The Watchtower]

I stay in the faith to piss off atheists.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I largely agree with BushOklahoma, too.  You may be familiar for this argument for believing in God: if you believe in God and He doesn't exist, there is relatively little risk in that.  But if you don't believe in Him and He does exist, then there is much greater risk.  That's kind of how I see it with being a Christian (not just believing in God, but believing that Jesus is His Son and the Messiah).  I want to serve God and please Him with my life, and I also don't want to suffer the consequences of not accepting His grace and mercy.  For many years, I thought God was trying to keep me down and thus I didn't want much to do with him.  Since then, however, I have learned to come to Him when you need Him, and having someone who will never leave you, even if everyone else does, is one of the greatest things in the world that you can have.

Personally, I don't think a benevolent god would punish someone for not believing in them, and would judge them based on their actions, not their beliefs.

He does it to respect their decision not to recognize Him.

Why, if there is a god does he give a damn? I mean really; why out of trillions of stars and billions of planets and millions of forms of life it's this planet and specifically one group of people in this planet that he 'revealed' himself to several thousand years ago, threw them a son (who was his own father) and then pissed off for 2000 years and counting? Does that not smack of a desert tribe making stuff up about the world to appeal to mans sense of inflated self importance rather than some omnipotent plan? And then to say 'Oh I fully respect your decision to not recognise me by punishing you eternally'

No.  The Bible says that humans are made in God's image.   And God sent Jesus because we sinned and he wanted to give us an opportunity at redemption.

[Frodo]

I largely agree with BushOklahoma, too.  You may be familiar for this argument for believing in God: if you believe in God and He doesn't exist, there is relatively little risk in that.  But if you don't believe in Him and He does exist, then there is much greater risk.  That's kind of how I see it with being a Christian (not just believing in God, but believing that Jesus is His Son and the Messiah).  I want to serve God and please Him with my life, and I also don't want to suffer the consequences of not accepting His grace and mercy.  For many years, I thought God was trying to keep me down and thus I didn't want much to do with him.  Since then, however, I have learned to come to Him when you need Him, and having someone who will never leave you, even if everyone else does, is one of the greatest things in the world that you can have.

Out of curiosity, are you a Protestant or a Catholic? 

[DreamTheater]

I'm a Christian because I believe in God with all my heart, and trust in Jesus Christ as my savior.

[Alcon]

I'm a Christian because I believe in God with all my heart, and trust in Jesus Christ as my savior.

That's not saying much besides "I'm a Christian because I think Christianity is true"...which seems kind of self-evident from the "I'm a Christian" part.

[John Dibble]

I'm a Christian because I believe in God with all my heart, and trust in Jesus Christ as my savior.

That's not saying much besides "I'm a Christian because I think Christianity is true"...which seems kind of self-evident from the "I'm a Christian" part.

Indeed. It might be more relevant to the question to say why you think that's true.

[DreamTheater]

I believe Christianity is true because I feel like I've felt God's presence in my life, and I choose to have faith. There is some evidence and logic that I base my belief on (see: most Christian apologist's arguments), though nothing close to proof, but Christianity and God can't be proven or disproven, so like I said before, I have faith.

[Alcon]

I believe Christianity is true because I feel like I've felt God's presence in my life, and I choose to have faith. There is some evidence and logic that I base my belief on (see: most Christian apologist's arguments), though nothing close to proof, but Christianity and God can't be proven or disproven, so like I said before, I have faith.

Why do you feel it necessary to look for rational justifications of Christianity if you ultimately "choose to have faith"?  I don't see the point of even indulging logical arguments if, ultimately, you aren't going to accept opposing arguments just for being more logically compelling -- which is basically what I think you're saying you'd do.  I mean, if in the end you "choose to have faith" (maybe based on personal experience) what's really the point of the rest?

[DreamTheater]

I have no idea what I'd do if the opposing arguments were actually more logically compelling, but they aren't. The arguments for Christianity and God aren't really any better or worse than the arguments against, so logically it could go either way. So I choose to have faith.

[BowlingForDarrelScott]

John 6:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
 
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked..
 
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Merry Christmas, Jmf. Get a life.

[Free Speech Enjoyer]

John 6:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
 
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked..
 
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

How are your daughters?

[memphis]

Unimpressed by the responses here. I was hoping for a mention of how the Church (not Catholic neccessarily) is a force for good in the world or giving a sense of community or a purpose to life. Something a little more meaningful than I don't want to go to hell.