What if you were born elsewhere?

[EvanWilliams]

Hello all,

So one of the main thoughts I've had that led to me leaving Christianity was the idea that the only reason I was ever a Christian is because I was born to Christian parents in a predominantly Christian nation (the USA). Had I been born in somewhere like Saudi Arabia, I would likely be raised a Muslim and be pretty much screwed before I could walk and talk (assuming for the sake of argument that Yahweh is the true God). If in India, I'd be a Hindu. If in China, maybe a Buddhist. I'm sure you get the idea.

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists. It is not until someone tells us about a God (or that we come up with the idea of God ourselves) that we believe. So how can you really know that yours is the right one? To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

Note: I'm not really trying to probe or attack the Christian faith in particular here. This applies to all faiths. I'm more interested in hearing about how people of faith resolve this than directly challenging Christianity right now.

 

[tansy]

Hi...I understand the points raised.

Although I went to a Catholic school and church whilst at primary school (though my parents were'nt Catholic or even religious really, I soon started questioning things in my mind..even does God really exist etc. And I think that probably most people do, even when raised 'in the faith'....even Muslims, Hindus etc do (though what proportion I wouldn't know.)
So then as an adult, I finally started thinking about it in earnest..and also thinking about the issues you raised. I was willing, assuming God did exist, to accept whichever way He would show me, whether it be Islam, Hindu, Christianity...even satanism, etc. I also decided that all the different religions, philosophies etc must somehow come under Him..that is to say, in some way, He must be in control or over all these things, even with the ones thatperhaps weren't' quite right'. I thought if indeed one of them was THE way, then He must be allowing the others to continue for some good reason of which I was unaware.
Anyhow, in the end I decided it would take me more than a life-time to investigate and maybe try out all the different relgions, philosophies ect (there are so many of them)...so I decided if I asked God, then if He existed and He was a good God, and He wanted me to know, He would give me the answers I needed. So that is what I did and He showed me Jesus was the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the only way to the Father...and also that it was God who created the universe.
Now that doesn't mean there is no truth at all in other religions etc. And personally I firmly believe that, if a person of whatever faith or none, is genuinely and earnestly seeking after truth and righteousness, then H e will show them the way..or if there is no way they can learn about it from others, due to whatever circumstances, I really think that He takes that into account. Though others may disagree with me there.

I do think that He holds people more accountable the more they know..a bit like one doesn't hold a six month old accountable for breaking something they're not supposed to touch, but you would for an older child, who has been told not to touch it.
Don't know that that really addresses your question, but hope it might help a little.

 

[LyraJean]

Honestly I think you are correct. And there are exceptions. If you read DC Talk's Voice of the Martyrs or even Voice of the Martyrs: Revolutionaries.

There are even a couple of episodes of "A Haunting" used to show on Discovery Channel. "A Haunting" is not a Christian program. But there are two or three episodes which after their experiences came to Christ. Yes, they were all American so I don't know how much of an influence that was.

 

[callmeMurph]

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

Maybe it is unfair that some people are so easily persuaded that they just become indoctrinated in religion and don't actually know God. Who says it even has to be fair, what exactly is fair?

I don't think odds has anything to do with it. God draws people to Him in many different ways and if people truly seek Him, all odds we be overcome and, they will find Him.

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists. It is not until someone tells us about a God (or that we come up with the idea of God ourselves) that we believe. So how can you really know that yours is the right one?

Maybe this is just me but I have met many Christians who were told as children and they stuck to that belief...for a little while...but it wasn't their own so they tried to find their own way...fell away from Christianity and then later found God with a real true faith that was their own, not because someone else told them anything. I don't know everyone's story, but from the testimonies I have heard the exception seems to be people who stuck with it.

How can I know that my God is the right one? I can't "know"...that's why it is called faith. However, I have found no reason to believe that it is not true...I have doubts, but I think everyone does...but when it comes down to it I find the statement "God does not exist" totally unconvincing.

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. " - C.S. Lewis

To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

There are plenty of people who weren't born in a Christian setting that believe in God. If that is the only reason for someone to believe then they don't really believe they have just been conditioned to.

 

[salida]

Acts 17:26-27

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.

People are born where they are at and at a certain time period so that they may know God. God knows what it takes to seek him concerning individuals. It may take someone to be born in a very oppressive country for this or whatever the circumstances are.

America has many christians BUT we are also a rich country. Rich compared to the world. So, we are at a spiritual disadvantage here.

Mt 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mr 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Lu 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

[Dragons87]

Hello all,

Hello.

So one of the main thoughts I've had that led to me leaving Christianity was the idea that the only reason I was ever a Christian is because I was born to Christian parents in a predominantly Christian nation (the USA). Had I been born in somewhere like Saudi Arabia, I would likely be raised a Muslim and be pretty much screwed before I could walk and talk (assuming for the sake of argument that Yahweh is the true God). If in India, I'd be a Hindu. If in China, maybe a Buddhist. I'm sure you get the idea.

Yes...and no. The Bible acknowledges that the faith has to be spread by people evangelising (see Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28). You may say that you were born into a culture where Christianity seems the more "obvious" choice, but some of your ancestors would not have heard of Christianity, and relied on other people evangelising to them. The whole idea of Christianity is about spreading the news to other people who haven't heard about it.

Therefore I'm not convinced that's the reason why you've left the faith, because lots of Christians, including myself, haven't left the faith because of that. But who am I to judge?

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

The only thing unfair about people being born into a religious atmosphere is how they aren't allowed to reject what they've been told and go for something new. You are one of the lucky few who were born in America and can decide to abandon your religion without direct threats to your personal safety. Other people in other countries have to "fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting" not because they were born into a set religious environment, but because there are political authorities threatening them with all sorts of punishments if they convert away from their birth religion.

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

You are right: the reason one would despise Christianity if born into a radical Muslim family would probably because one is raised with twisted views. It's not just that; in many Muslim countries any attempt to even understand what another religion could be about can get one into serious trouble with one's family and the government. If the threat from those authorities are removed, there is nothing stopping anyone from reading up about other religions and then deciding to quit...like you did.

Remember: people are brainwashed by other people with ideas, not by ideas.

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists. It is not until someone tells us about a God (or that we come up with the idea of God ourselves) that we believe. So how can you really know that yours is the right one? To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

Well, obviously you no longer believe what you happened to be told as a child. So why do you say that others are unlike you?

I know mine is the right one because of my experience with him. It's a bit like love - you never know who your destined partner will be, but you meet the person and work towards a relationship.

Note: I'm not really trying to probe or attack the Christian faith in particular here. This applies to all faiths. I'm more interested in hearing about how people of faith resolve this than directly challenging Christianity right now.

I hope what I said helps.

 

[oi_antz]

Hello all,

So one of the main thoughts I've had that led to me leaving Christianity was the idea that the only reason I was ever a Christian is because I was born to Christian parents in a predominantly Christian nation (the USA). Had I been born in somewhere like Saudi Arabia, I would likely be raised a Muslim and be pretty much screwed before I could walk and talk (assuming for the sake of argument that Yahweh is the true God). If in India, I'd be a Hindu. If in China, maybe a Buddhist. I'm sure you get the idea.

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists. It is not until someone tells us about a God (or that we come up with the idea of God ourselves) that we believe. So how can you really know that yours is the right one? To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

Note: I'm not really trying to probe or attack the Christian faith in particular here. This applies to all faiths. I'm more interested in hearing about how people of faith resolve this than directly challenging Christianity right now.

It comes down to our decision to honor the conscience. Since the conscience is the key to establishing a code of ethics, all the great masters have done this for us. The one exception that Jesus has is that He stood for the truth to the point of death. Any of us coming against the societies of law and church would have buckled long before Jesus was condemned.

When you are told the gospel message, that Jesus was killed by world corruption then you have to decide "Yes Jesus should have been killed" or "No, Jesus was a prophet". Doesn't matter on your religion, if you give Jesus light for one moment you'll see clearly that He wasn't joking about his relationship with the almighty God, and the one thing He wants to do is share that with everyone. If that takes a cross to do then He has proved willing to go that far.

Now that you have heard the message, do you believe it is questioning your religion? If so, would you share that with us?

Cheers, Anthony.

 

[Joeygum]

Hello my Friend

First the reason you have left Christianity, is you have not understood truth. Truth is Jesus

Jesus works in many different ways, it really does not matter where you were born or who your parents are

Remember the son of the leader of Hamas became a Christian. His parents were muslims, he received death threats for this. But because he sought out righteousness God showed himself to him.

Many people in China, and India have become Christians, along with many Arabs. God reaches out to those who truly seek him

And many Christians aren't really saved, it's the sad truth. Reading the bible, celebrating Christmas, going to Church, living in a Christian lifestyle will not save you. The only thing that will save you is realizing that Christ is the Lord who loves you, who died for your sins so that you may not perish but have eternal life

If your only Christian because your family is, or its the way you were raised you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But only if you seek out Christ in truth and in spirit

As for being raised in a radical Muslim family, this is not an excuse, because just because of what you were taught, it does not destroy your ability to choose between right and wrong. The radical muslims choose to do evil, if they truly sought out righteousness God would reach out to them, as he has done for countless muslims across the globe

Listen we were all born as children knowing and fearing God, for we were all given a conscience which is a moral regulator given to us by God

Don't believe me look at how children fear God, yes if their not born as Christians and raised differently their conscience will become corrupted, but at an age they will choose what is right and wrong, if they are good people, sometimes even evil people, Christ gives them the chance to seek him

If you really think people believe what they were first taught, get out more. Many people grow up wanting to find their own beliefs and faith, individualism

It is through God that we find him

Seek out Christ, and he will bless you and bring you to truth

God Bless

-----------------

Hello all,

So one of the main thoughts I've had that led to me leaving Christianity was the idea that the only reason I was ever a Christian is because I was born to Christian parents in a predominantly Christian nation (the USA). Had I been born in somewhere like Saudi Arabia, I would likely be raised a Muslim and be pretty much screwed before I could walk and talk (assuming for the sake of argument that Yahweh is the true God). If in India, I'd be a Hindu. If in China, maybe a Buddhist. I'm sure you get the idea.

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists. It is not until someone tells us about a God (or that we come up with the idea of God ourselves) that we believe. So how can you really know that yours is the right one? To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

Note: I'm not really trying to probe or attack the Christian faith in particular here. This applies to all faiths. I'm more interested in hearing about how people of faith resolve this than directly challenging Christianity right now.

 

[zaksmummy]

We arent born any faith, we haver to decide for ourselves what faith we are going to believe in.

God speaks to us through various means - through creation for a start. There are stories of people who have never heard of Jesus and who werent brought up in a "christian" society who believe in the creator and worship him.

I recenlty watched a programme about how people in ancient china worshipped the creator, and developed elaborate ceremonies to do so.

The only advantage to being born in a Christian society is that the bible is easily available for us to read so that we can put the dots together, although it doesnt guarantee believe.

The question Jesus asks us all is "Who do you say that I am?"

 

[Armmot]

sorry for my very bad english writting

I was born in Thailand , the Buddhist country and my family is buddhist then I converted to christian and then and convert to agnostic but when I agnostic now I feel that I can't escape from god and i don't know why , sometimes I feel christianity have more influent than buddhist in my life , when my life really down I Think about god first and when I agnostic now [ I have been agnostic about 2 months ] and I pray the last pray for god that I want to agnostic for some reasons and it looks like god doesn't want me to be agnostic because whitin 2 months i feel i love god more than when i 'm christian [ i was christian about 3 years ] but I still try to be agnostic it is ironically . and maybe it is because i'm new agnostic now and make me feel that way. and it is like when I 'm agnostic now , God want me to be christian again and I have very " god make me think again " situation , in my college I attended indian philosophy in the last moment of the class the teacher asked students

" When you 70 years-old your wife/husband died and your children and grandchildren are going to leaving your house for their home after they just had dinner with you and I dare to say that you feel alone isn't it , choose from this list of religious on this board and you cannot escape religious, some people says religious are nonsense but religious never leave you alone it intergret to you , heal you , love you , forgive you, free your soul, and make your point of your life "

I was shocked that messeng is impact my heart and make me think again and I start to googling the word Christian in google for find more infomations about religious and find this website. it is like god tricking me now but I want to trick with god now that I 'm agnostic and maybe never change
and who know in the future I can convert to christian again because nowsaday I like god more and more everyday

 

[bling]

sorry for my very bad english writting

I was born in Thailand , the Buddhist country and my family is buddhist then I converted to christian and then and convert to agnostic but when I agnostic now I feel that I can't escape from god and i don't know why , sometimes I feel christianity have more influent than buddhist in my life , when my life really down I Think about god first and when I agnostic now [ I have been agnostic about 2 months ] and I pray the last pray for god that I want to agnostic for some reasons and it looks like god doesn't want me to be agnostic because whitin 2 months i feel i love god more than when i 'm christian [ i was christian about 3 years ] but I still try to be agnostic it is ironically . and maybe it is because i'm new agnostic now and make me feel that way. and it is like when I 'm agnostic now , God want me to be christian again and I have very " god make me think again " situation , in my college I attended indian philosophy in the last moment of the class the teacher asked students

" When you 70 years-old your wife/husband died and your children and grandchildren are going to leaving your house for their home after they just had dinner with you and I dare to say that you feel alone isn't it , choose from this list of religious on this board and you cannot escape religious, some people says religious are nonsense but religious never leave you alone it intergret to you , heal you , love you , forgive you, free your soul, and make your point of your life "

I was shocked that messeng is impact my heart and make me think again and I start to googling the word Christian in google for find more infomations about religious and find this website. it is like god tricking me now but I want to trick with god now that I 'm agnostic and maybe never change
and who know in the future I can convert to christian again because nowsaday I like god more and more everyday

That is so cool. You are witnessing Christianity without being a Christian, better than most Christians.

Christianity, unlike other religions allows and expects you to doubt. You will find it takes a great deal more “faith” to believe there is no god then to believe there is a God. All around you and within you there is evidence of intelligence, to say “nothing” created intelligence is not logical and even if you believe (have faith) matter, energy, time and space are eternal why and how would they come together to produce intelligence (a perfectly, exactly proportioned, finely tuned and with ideal laws) universe? Would nothing cause a “big bang” and have it worked?


The big difference I point to between Christianity and all other religions is with Christianity you have God trying to give you something and all the other religions you are working to get somewhere. The Christian God is Love (selfless, charity, forgiveness, mercy, grace, sacrificial, relational) and is doing (and allowing) all He can to help us accept His free undeserving and unconditional gift of Love (in the form of forgiveness). We just do not like to take charity, so we go around looking for ways to work off or withstand our burden of transgressions (hurting of other people).

 

[chilehed]

Hello all,

So one of the main thoughts I've had that led to me leaving Christianity was the idea that the only reason I was ever a Christian is because I was born to Christian parents in a predominantly Christian nation (the USA). Had I been born in somewhere like Saudi Arabia, I would likely be raised a Muslim and be pretty much screwed before I could walk and talk (assuming for the sake of argument that Yahweh is the true God). If in India, I'd be a Hindu. If in China, maybe a Buddhist. I'm sure you get the idea.

That same reasoning to equally well justifies leaving Islam on the grounds that you were born in Arabia, or Hinduism if you were born in India. I don't find it to be a compelling argument.

...I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

That idea is not universal among Christians. It's prominent among Calvinists and Baptists, for example, but it's not at all in line with Catholic thought. We're saved based on our relationship with God, not based on our knowledge. The idea that we can't be saved unless we posess some specific intellectual knowledge is a strain of thought that I call neo-gnosticism.

...To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting...

That's how it started, but today I believe it because I find that the alternative view is irrational.

 

[Hairy Tic]

Hello all,

So one of the main thoughts I've had that led to me leaving Christianity was the idea that the only reason I was ever a Christian is because I was born to Christian parents in a predominantly Christian nation (the USA). Had I been born in somewhere like Saudi Arabia, I would likely be raised a Muslim and be pretty much screwed before I could walk and talk (assuming for the sake of argument that Yahweh is the true God).
If in India, I'd be a Hindu. If in China, maybe a Buddhist. I'm sure you get the idea.

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

## No, it's not unfair. It is a very great gift to be brought up in a more or less Christian environment, but that is not where the story ends. People are not put in that position for their own sake - but for three reasons: or, one reason with three sides:

• They are in that position for their salvation
• so that they can be of service to others
• & in that way, bring glory to God

The Church is the only society that exists for the sake of non-members. The whole purpose of receiving from God, is to give away, to others. In purely human things, everyone sees this without difficulty: artists are talented so that they may enhance the lives of others who are not; not that they may hug their talents to themselves, and benefit no-one. Everyone sees that that would be selfish & antisocial. Do doctors have their skills in order to keep them ? Of course not. Unless a talent is given away, spent for others, it can't be practiced, and it will wither. The same is true in the Christian life - it has to be lived; not received, put in a box, and hidden away.

So those advantages are means of equipping the recipient to serve God more lovingly, more faithfully, more fruitfully; they will rot & stink if put in a box, and hidden away; as will the life in which they are hidden away unused.

If that still seems unfair: more will demanded of those who have been given more, & less, of those who receive less.

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity, indoctrinated while you are still undeveloped mentally. At that point, you're almost hopelessly screwed and hell-bound, all because you were brainwashed at an early age and not yet able to think for yourself.

## This forgets that God is active in the whole world, all the time. There is no reason why God cannot use Muslim upbringing and culture to bring people to Himself; God's activity in us does no depend on our recognition of Him. This "hell-bound" business is derived from a one-sided form of US popular Evangelicalism: not from Christian theology. Is Jesus Christ the Unique Saviour ? Yes; & it is very concerned to insist on that. But, He does not have to be known, in order to save. And there is far more to life in Christ than merely being saved. Salvation by & into Christ, is for the sake of the life that it begins - a life for others, not against or without them. Which brings us back to the first question

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists. It is not until someone tells us about a God (or that we come up with the idea of God ourselves) that we believe. So how can you really know that yours is the right one? To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

## But how we are born, is within Divine Providence. There are no mistakes, except among men; not with God.

And I think you're treating people as passive. A lot of Christians come to faith amid great struggles; many OTOH do not have these struggles. The same applies to changing from faith in Christ to something else. Are all our beliefs dependent on our social settings ? If not - why should faith in Christ be uniquely dependent on it ? FWIW, I - like so many others - wasn't brought up Catholic; I'm a convert to Catholicism. I didn't even know what Catholics were, years ago. And a lot of people can tell very similar stories. If that can happen in one or ten or 100 cases - it can more often. Again FWIW, many atheists are far more Christian in many ways than some Christians - in the light of the life of Jesus, this is not surprising, & it is something for which to be grateful; because the Kingdom of God is realised when atheists do what is right, every bit as much as when Christians do what is right. If all good is from God alone, this too is to be expected.

If the New Testament is to be trusted, a righteous Muslim is in certain respects in a much better state than an Christian of evil life. There is nothing about religious affiliation in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: they are tried by how they have acted to others who are in need.

And I think you're overlooking the similarities between Christianity & Islam... As well as the fact that those who are faithful to the light they have received, will be given more light. God does not require the impossible of us - He does require faithfulness.

Note: I'm not really trying to probe or attack the Christian faith in particular here. This applies to all faiths. I'm more interested in hearing about how people of faith resolve this than directly challenging Christianity right now.

 

[Sarrapin]

Hi Evan Williams,

I suppose a good example that illustrates an answer to your question is straight from the Bible (see Acts 10:1-48). There was a man named Cornelius - a religious man who constantly prayed to God - and asked the Lord to reveal Himself to him. Cornelius may have known or heard of Jesus, but evidently not His plan of salvation. God heard and answered his prayer by sending St. Peter to preach the Gospel to him. It may not be as spectacular as that for many, but sometimes God can just use a constant friend or a complete stranger just "coincidentally" being at the right place at the right time. I believe that Billy Graham heard the Gospel message one night because a Christian gave up his seat in the church for him. Coincidence? I don't think so. We know that God is unchanging (James 1:17) and so if He heard Cornelius' prayer, He will also hear the prayers of those who do not know Him but desire to.

I believe that if someone really wants to know God that He will make Himself known to them in some fashion or another. Why? Because He promises that if someone keeps seeking Him they'll find Him and more than that, it's exactly what He wants!

I don't think so much that the issue is that people are born in a different culture and being brought up with different beliefs because there are millions of Christians all over the world who came from just that kind of background! Some were Muslims brought up in a strict Islamic family, others in an atheistic, Buddhist, and Hindu families. Many of those Christians all over the world face persecution just for making a stand for Christ. The real issue is whether they want to lay down their pride, step through their fears, and take up their cross and follow Jesus upon hearing the Gospel message.

For those who have never heard of the Gospel message we just have to believe that God is sovereign and righteous judge such that He will do what is right. I mean, this is the same God who - for the sake of ten righteous people - wouldn't destroy a city of thousands of very evil sinners (Genesis 18:32). We see time and time again - both in the Old Testament and through the life of Jesus - who God is and how He operates and that gives us hope that He will do what is right. When everyone wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery, Jesus forgave. That's just who God is. God is just and will always act in line with that. Our sense of justice pales in comparison to Him who is justice. It's interesting, whenever the Bible talks about the Judgment not once, not once, does it ever mention people saying that "It's not fair."

Furthermore, St. Paul tells us that God has revealed Himself to everyone through what He has created in nature (Romans 1:20). For example, just looking at the beauty and complexity of nature we can see that God is all-powerful, a God of order, and is personal (given the attention to detail and complexity in the creation). The fact that the Earth is perfectly created to support life on Earth (i.e. the anthropic principle) indicates that God (or the creator) is good and faithful. This is just a basic illustration of what people can and should deduce from looking at nature. Even the bloodshed in the world should give people a sense of there's something not right with the world and that would be caused by sin. I'll just be sitting there watching the news, seeing the death and suffering and I just know that this isn't how it is supposed to be. People's conscience and that yearning for eternity are other examples of things that God has put in place to reveal Himself to humanity.

So... this leads me to the following question. Isn't it a little unfair assuming that the Christian God is real that some of us are born into a Christian lifestyle and will easily be persuaded to believe in Yahweh and Jesus whereas others are put through an incorrect indoctrination and must fight the incredibly unlikely odds of converting?

Ironically enough, I think that Christians who were unbelievers first perhaps have an advantage in that they know how empty that life is and can see His provision in their salvation. In some areas of the world where their family would attempt to kill them for conversion to Christ they experience God to a greater degree because as St. Paul notes that suffering accelerates spiritual growth and reliance on God. Christians who were raised in a Christian environment and family don't really have the contrast that Christians who were born into an unbelieving family have. As an aside, if you can be "persuaded to believe" you can be persuaded out of belief. As I mention later I think that most Christians have faith that has stood the test of fire.

I mean... let's say you are born into a radical Muslim family. Chances are you will be raised to despise Christianity

Perhaps, but don't you think that God is bigger than all of that? Some of the most extremist people have come to faith in Christ. A good example of how God can reach people regardless of their upbringing is Mosab Yousef - the youngest son of one of Hamas' founders - came to know Christ. His book Son of Hamas outlines his journey. That's testimony to the power of the Gospel's transforming message. I've never been in that situation so I can't speak with any authority on it, but I think that the sort of unconditional love and grace that Jesus has shown and gives is strong enough to break through any hatred and pride.

It just seems like the vast majority of us believe whatever we happen to be told first as children and then stick with that idea for the rest of our lives (with a few exceptions). Technically, we are all born atheists.

Correction: we are born sinners with a natural bent away from God - it is our nature. When we are born we do not have any cognitive abilities and so one cannot be an atheist or anything else, for such a belief requires, by definition, an intellectual conviction. However, the Bible tells us that God has placed eternity in the hearts of mankind and I believe that deep down people know instinctively that there's something more to life than what we see.

As an aside, you can't talk about "indoctrination" solely for God believing families. Do not atheistic families also - by their very actions, attitudes, and faith (or lack thereof) - foster the same ideals in their children? You can't have it both ways. I don't think that the whole indoctrination argument holds any water regardless, as indoctrination - contrasted with education - involves processes and strategies and the expectation that the indoctrinated person will not question or critically examine the doctrine that they have learned. I know of no Christian family or Christian who is like this. Do you? Many cults are guilty of using indoctrination methods, but I know of no Christian church that does. Contrary to what the atheistic straw-man argument says, the Bible challenges man's thinking - for example, see God's challenges to Job and His challenge to "taste and see that the Lord is God," the logical arguments that St. Paul uses, and Peter's exhortation to always "be ready to give an answer" to anyone who asks re the hope that we have.

It isn't indoctrination to tell your children what sin is and that Jesus is the answer to sin. Even as a child I realised by myself that I was a sinner (e.g. I had lied) and that I needed God to forgive me. Maybe I didn't understand it on the level that I do now, but I still knew and that is the strength of the Gospel message: It's so simple that it is applicable to everyone from children through to people at the end of their lives.

To me at least, it seems that the only reason you've probably ever believed in that God is because you were born in a Christian setting.

That would fly in the face of the millions of Christian converts world-wide..

For me personally I was born into a Christian family. But I went my own way during my late-teen and early-twenties years doing all the stuff the world says should make me happy, and my conclusion is much the same as King Solomon's in Ecclesiastes: It's all pointless. I now know, after living in a life of sin, that God's way is the best way. I regret the life that I lived and if I could go back and have the option to redo it I'd definitely follow God's way. It's just one of those things that you have to experience for yourself. You know, it doesn't matter how many times it is written in the Bible it doesn't "seem real" until you do it and then see the reasons for the command against it. God's unconditional acceptance and grace is also something that draws me to Him ... it's something that I've never really had. That the God of the universe could care about me, let alone die for me?

In addition to that emptiness that I just couldn't fill, I had doubts regarding God, His faithfulness and sovereignty, the Bible, and everything else. I've done a lot of research and listened to that many messages that I know now that my faith has a very reasonable foundation. I don't believe because it is the religion that I was brought up in and if that is the sole reason for one's belief the question has to be asked whether it is even genuine or sincere? Faith in Christ is a commitment made from our heart and mind. The Christian life - as I'm learning - is much more than mere academic knowledge. It's about an active fellowship with God. I see that Christianity is genuine and reasonable - both experiential and academically.

~ Sarrapin.