Why are you a Christian?

[Nihilist Virus]

Yes, but I didn't feel that I was able to answer the poll itself as it stands.

You're going on what I've chosen to add in several posts. Most people who answer a poll don't also explain their vote that way.

I've found that most people add clarification.

I just want lazy people to have a voice here.

 

[Albion]

Well unless your parents constantly remind you that Christianity is just a belief and that you are free to believe what you want without judgment, or unless they provide arguments and counterarguments for and against Christianity, then filling an undeveloped mind with ideas (which are coming from the child's ultimate authority) is indoctrination.

I disagree with that extreme scenario, and I guess I'm sorry that my attempt to make a point that agrees about the matter of influence short of indoctrination didn't make contact.

 

[redleghunter]

I was thinking along similar lines.

If A refers to experiences like thinking you've seen an apparition or heard the voice of God or experienced a miracle healing, that's one way of looking at it. BUT is A meant only to refer to our upbringing? Those are experiences, too, and most of us grew up in Christian communities.

Yes that is also a 'data point' to consider.

For example, Jean-Luc hears the Gospel, believes the gospel and is convicted of his sin which is a work of the Holy Spirit (John 3) and then proclaims his faith in baptism. That would be his very own subjective experience.

Yet as a new Christian, Jean-Luc starts examining and studying the Holy Scriptures and sees others had the same experience as he did; then he interacts with those around him at church and gets the same confirming data. That would be objective.

 

[redleghunter]

but I am interested in nudging people to vote one way or another.

It's your thread, however you will most likely entertain a few posts pointing out this false dilemma.

 

[Tutorman]

Athesism is just as much indoctrination. I grew up in a Christian home, there was no indoctrnation, period.

 

[Nihilist Virus]

Athesism is just as much indoctrination. I grew up in a Christian home, there was no indoctrnation, period.

OK, but do you believe because of personal experiences or logic/evidence?

Edit - never mind, thanks, I saw you voted.

 

[Neogaia777]

My personal experience is tied to physical evidence...

 

[2PhiloVoid]

If A), feel free to share.

If B), share at your own risk - your arguments might belong in the apologetics forum.

C) Cogency of the New Testament message and my Aesthetic response to the person of Jesus Christ.

There. You have my answer in a nutshell.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[Nihilist Virus]

My personal experience is tied to physical evidence...

...?

 

[Nihilist Virus]

C) Cogency of the New Testament message and my Aesthetic response to the person of Jesus Christ.

There. You have my answer in a nutshell.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

Um, OK, but those conditions don't even exclude works of fiction.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Um, OK, but those conditions don't even exclude works of fiction.

...true enough, NV, but there is also a lot involved psychologically and epistemologically within the word 'cogency.'

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'm hard pressed to accept either A or B.

If A refers to something like visionary experiences, or things of that nature then I'd say that isn't the reason I'm a Christian.

If B refers to Christianity being the most reasonable, logical, or best evidenced position then I'd say that isn't the reason I'm a Christian either.

I often describe the reason as being a bit more "existential" than that, though I don't know if that is really the right word here. What I encounter in the Gospel, what I encounter in the Eucharist, what I encounter in the writings of the fathers and elsewhere--that encounter with not just something, but Someone, Someone who I find myself deeply drawn to. I find that faith in this Jesus comes from a place that I can't pinpoint precisely, something urges, pushes, draws, and pulls me from outside of myself to this place of faith in Him. It is neither a particular "experience" as though I met God in a vision, or heard a voice, nothing so majestic or sensational as any of that; nor an act of reasoning as though Christian religion somehow makes the most sense (it often doesn't). And yet faith persists.

-CryptoLutheran