How many of you have started believing in God as a result

[znr]

of a simple question posed here, such as, example:

What would it take for you to believe the God of the bible is real?

Do these types of questions actually cause you to question whether or not your lack of belief should be questioned?

I'd like to know (say, over the past year) how many of you became a Christian because you read something here online, on this forum? similar to the above quoted question?

Anyone?

 

[keith99]

So a question asked here needs to cause conversion or it is not valid?

Or for that matter one single thing must be the cause.

That one is a good question as it might cause some to think.

Of course fair is fair and the flip side should also be asked, what would cause a Christian to stop believing.

Or better still for both questions, what would be enough to cause you to reexamine your position.

EDIT: I think this kind of question can lead to a change of position. Or a solidifying of position. Unlike some other pitch methods, this opens the discussion rather than closing it.

 

[PsychoSarah]

I have changed my debate tactics and arguments thanks to some threads, that's about as close to this as I have gotten

 

[Paradoxum]

I'd say I generally question my lack of belief every so often anyway.

If anything, in the last few months, I've clarified in my mind why I find the existence of God to be unlikely. God is omnipotent, loving, and it's important for us to believe in Him (apparently), yet God doesn't appear in front of us often, as a friend.

If there were a Christian God, I'd expect Him to make himself obviously known... but that isn't the state of the world. So I think this is not only reason to lack belief, but also to think the Christian God probably doesn't exist.

 

[JGL53]

I come to christian forums to feel better about myself.

So far I couldn't be more pleased.

Thanks (pretty much) everyone.

 

[znr]

Unfortunately your snide comment contains more than a few grains of truth. That may be what sparks some of these threads: wanting to feel better about oneself.

I come to christian forums to feel better about myself.

So far I couldn't be more pleased.

Thanks (pretty much) everyone.

 

[BL2KTN]

Most often my intellect is repulsed rather than piqued.

 

[variant]

of a simple question posed here, such as, example:



Do these types of questions actually cause you to question whether or not your lack of belief should be questioned?

I'd like to know (say, over the past year) how many of you became a Christian because you read something here online, on this forum? similar to the above quoted question?

Anyone?

If my lack of belief were that trivial to be upset by a small question I would have come to the conclusions of belief myself.

 

[znr]

If you want to expound on that I'm curious.

I have changed my debate tactics and arguments thanks to some threads, that's about as close to this as I have gotten

 

[GoldenBoy89]

If you can't convince me in person to accept Christianity, what would make someone think the internet is a better way to convert someone? I come here because I enjoy the discussions and thoughtful posts that I otherwise would not have considered. I seriously doubt anyone will offer a truly groundbreaking argument for the existence of the Christian god. But, I'm open for it if I see it.

 

[PsychoSarah]

If you want to expound on that I'm curious.

I have had certain misinformation corrected, mostly by other atheists, and therefore arguments I used to use have been shown to me to be flawed enough and even outright wrong to the extent I no longer use them or recognize them as legitimate.

An example is that I used to think one of the many reasons Noah's ark wouldn't work was because the waters placing the ark at such a high elevation would leave all on the ark with thin, un breathable air. I was shown by others in a thread that this is incorrect, as the pressures of the water would simply displace the atmosphere (thus, air not being an issue).

 

[KCfromNC]

Most often my intellect is repulsed rather than piqued.

Yep. If we're witnessing the best that apologetics has to offer, I feel a lot more confident dismissing this whole religion thing as nothing more than the Emperor's new clothes.

 

[JGG]

of a simple question posed here, such as, example:



Do these types of questions actually cause you to question whether or not your lack of belief should be questioned?

I'd like to know (say, over the past year) how many of you became a Christian because you read something here online, on this forum? similar to the above quoted question?

Anyone?

I fell out of Christianity because of what I read on CF.

However, in my experience, I pretty much knew that thread was just a trap in order to say "Look, atheists won't believe no matter what! They're so evil!"

I don't expect much more from believers.

 

[JGL53]

Unfortunately your snide comment contains more than a few grains of truth. That may be what sparks some of these threads: wanting to feel better about oneself.

Actually it is just a side effect.

I originally looked into christian forums seeking entertainment.

And so I must say I am fairly well pleased.

The exceptions being those posters who can't grok the notion of "failed argument" being accurately applied to them - and the people who apparently believe repetition and/or bible quotes can eventually (and magically) turn lies in to truth. Now those people are irritating to me, I must admit.

 

[znr]

I've started thinking more since I've been reading here. Prior to here I hadn't really wanted to see other views or personalities. I was more or less a fundy, but without realizing it on a conscious level. So I'd say reading cf and in particular reading non believers posts has caused me to take a closer look at how I process thoughts. I still believe, but I'm much more aware that my view isn't the only view in town.

I fell out of Christianity because of what I read on CF.

However, in my experience, I pretty much knew that thread was just a trap in order to say "Look, atheists won't believe no matter what! They're so evil!"

I don't expect much more from believers.

 

[DogmaHunter]

of a simple question posed here, such as, example:



Do these types of questions actually cause you to question whether or not your lack of belief should be questioned?

I'd like to know (say, over the past year) how many of you became a Christian because you read something here online, on this forum? similar to the above quoted question?

Anyone?

No amount of mere words could ever convince me of the existance of god(s).

That goes for such questions, for "philosophical arguments" like kalaam and others, etc.

If we are talking about things that exist in reality, I require more then abstract ideas and internally consistent stories. Not that I have ever seen internally consistent stories/arguments from theists that were actually valid, but whatever.

Things claimed to exist in reality must be shown to exist, either directly or indirectly. No words required.

 

[brightlights]

of a simple question posed here, such as, example:



Do these types of questions actually cause you to question whether or not your lack of belief should be questioned?

I'd like to know (say, over the past year) how many of you became a Christian because you read something here online, on this forum? similar to the above quoted question?

Anyone?

The greatest thing that I've taken from my time on this forum has been testing of faith and the ability to articulate and defend my faith. I need people to question and criticize my beliefs so that I can examine whether or not I really believe them and learn how to articulate and defend them.

I think precisely 0 people will convert or deconvert because of internet forums.

edit: Correction - I was introduced to Calvinism and reformed faith on CF. I'm a calvinist today in part because of CF. Thanks!

 

[ThinkForYourself]

of a simple question posed here, such as, example:



Do these types of questions actually cause you to question whether or not your lack of belief should be questioned?

I'd like to know (say, over the past year) how many of you became a Christian because you read something here online, on this forum? similar to the above quoted question?

Anyone?

Actually, it was what I read...the bible...that convinced me the Christian God didn't exist, or that if he/she did, they were certainly not someone I would ever respect, let alone worship.