Convert me.

[Kennylz]

I am an agnostic. I have a faint belief in something greater but have very little direction. I know a bit about both Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, along with a pinch of Wiccan. I know religion is discussed a lot in this sub-forum but I've never actually seen evangelism.

Since I've seen many educated and wise posters on twcenter, I'd like for any who has a certain faith that they believe in to make their case.

This isn't a flame trap, nor am I attempting to waste your time.

[Axeman]

I too am an agnostic, and I shall follow this thread.

[Irishman]

I know religion is discussed a lot in this sub-forum but I've never actually seen evangelism.

Lucius will love you.

[kev-o]

Instead of me posting and taking redicule from those who don't want to convert, those who wish for info I will PM them reading material if you desire. PM me in a respectful manner if you want the info.

Not to be harsh on Lucius, but I think his method of trying to convert people makes things more difficult for the person trying to convert. I know he is trying to be a good christian, but in this day and age it takes intellect to battle the criticisms from nonbelievers rather than emotion.

Merged since there was cleaning inbetween.

Fuzz

[Archaalen]

The problem is, a great deal of the appeal of religion is wrapped up in emotions. Intellectual arguments are a harder sell in most cases.

[kev-o]

Not really. Christian apology is filled with intectual arguements made by some of the brightest minds. One such person is the head of the Human Genome Project, Francis S. Collins.

[Dunecat]

I would say by far the easiest motivation for simply attending a parish and being a member there is the community and social outreach. It's a direct, effective, and fulfilling ministry that shares it's territory with humanism.

You can work half-way houses, be a civil servant, and in all ways dedicate one's life to society without a church, of course. But if one does decide to participate in Christianity, for whatever reason, eventually you'll need that kick in the rear every once in a while after the magic of a new and different experience wears off.

Honestly my reasons for believing are non-traditional. I do not argue for a philosophical necessity of God nor a moral requirement of acceptance. I am different in these regards and I acknowledge that. I would still say, though, that for me faith is not a wanting, a desire to believe. It is a choice to give credit to testimony and accounts of early disciples. Philosophy provides the mere reasonability and possibility for a creator god (though I know Irishman would disagree, and for valid reasons which I have admittedly not addressed formally), essence, or being, and faith takes one from that point to a belief in the Christian God.

If you're looking for a hellfire join-or-die sermon I won't give it. I don't think the afterlife is frankly that important. Christianity is way more important and meaningful, to me at least, in terms of what we are called to do in this life, and how we should deal with this life as best we can. To have that message of peace, love, and justice through mercy overshadowed by moral rules-lawyering by a Destroyer God and a description of an epic game of Warhammer between "Satan" and the God-Emperor I think, in the very least, sad.

Frankly speaking, I have not the inherent ability to tell you what or how to believe. I am not that talented, nor do I credit myself as such. I can merely say that an attempt and pursuit of Orthodox Christianity has made my life more fulfilling in ways moral, social, peaceful, and hopeful.

So really I understand if you do not feel any need to go through hurdles to rationalize something mysterious. I just hope that in the end you make the choice that you feel is most rational, not that which is most cynical and skeptical.

[Serious Spamurai]

What created everything around you? Go outside, look around you, smell the air, look at the sky, the trees, think of beautiful women, you honestly can't tell me it isn't amazing, was it really just by chance?

[Dayman]

What created everything around you? Go outside, look around you, smell the air, look at the sky, the trees, think of beautiful women, you honestly can't tell me it isn't amazing, was it really just by chance?

You mean that everything looks beautiful because we evolved in this environment?

[Serious Spamurai]

You mean that everything looks beautiful because we evolved in this environment?

If you wish, but why would an emotion be triggered by such a pointless thing, it's not like it's telling us that this would be a safe place to sleep.

[Dunecat]

Yes, as many beautiful things there are, likewise those horrific.

Might we let this thread be one minded on conversion, not simply another cut-n-paste Christianity debate?

Unless the atheists are bent on conversion here as well.

[Dayman]

If you wish, but why would an emotion be triggered by such a pointless thing, it's not like it's telling us that this would be a safe place to sleep.

I don't think we would have survived for long if the environment we live in made us sad and depressed.

[Dunecat]

There is no motivation so great as self-preservation.

Or so they say.

[Serious Spamurai]

I don't think we would have survived for long if the environment we live in made us sad and depressed.

Yet again, why would that emotion be triggered by something so pointless?

@OP, you should really read through the Holy books of as many faiths as possible and follow whichever one you believe to be true to you, I cannot show you the path, only God can.

[Pontifex Maximus]

I am an agnostic. I have a faint belief in something greater but have very little direction. I know a bit about both Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, along with a pinch of Wiccan. I know religion is discussed a lot in this sub-forum but I've never actually seen evangelism.

Since I've seen many educated and wise posters on twcenter, I'd like for any who has a certain faith that they believe in to make their case.

This isn't a flame trap, nor am I attempting to waste your time.

Instead of relying on people to convert you, you should meditate on it and find out what God wants you to be.

Not our will, but his be done!

[Irishman]

Not really. Christian apology is filled with intectual arguements made by some of the brightest minds. One such person is the head of the Human Genome Project, Francis S. Collins.

The issue is not who is saying the argument but the quality of the argument itself. These theistic arguments have been shown lacking.

[Farnan]

You cannot be converted unless you want to be. No amount of persuasion can convert people who don't want it. However if you have any questions about Christianity you can pm me if you want.

[MasterAdnin]

I suggest instead of getting information about religions from an internet forum, you go out to your local library and take out some books about any religion you are interested in. For Islam, I would reccomend the books Nahjul Balaga by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib(as), and obviously, Al Qu'ran by Allah.

Salaam,
Adnan

[Pontifex Maximus]

It's not our job, Muslim or Christian, to try to convert him, it is God's job.

..WHAT IS THIS MADNESS?! AM I IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE OR SOMETHING?!

worse...TWC.

[Heinz Guderian]

i reckon have a browse of some convert websites (be they christian, muslim, jewish etc) and see what these people thought and whether you could relate to it. Or perhaps ask your local parish, imam, rabbi, monk to see if you could sit in on a service or prayer. If it doesnt "convert" you, it still is very interesting.

I think Lucius is a cool guy.