Christian, did you investigate Christianity before becoming a Christian or after? What kind of investigation?
955552
been there, done that.
692830
Nope, Nigeria.  Sorry.  I can probably find the website though and see if South Africa is there also.\n\nhttp://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/zatoc.html\n\nThis is it!!!!  When you get to this page go to edit -> find, and then search for Christianity.  It will come up with Christianity within the phrase "The Arrival of Christianity".  It is a reliable source with the U.S. Library of Congress too. (That should make the teacher happy.)  I've been through this already because I had to write a paper on Early Christian Education in Nigeria for an English class.\n\nP.S. - Can I have 10 points, please?  And would you tell me, is this due tomorrow?\n\nAnother edit:  If you go to other links within the colonial era. (The chapters on history are at the top) you will probably find more information.
291455
Yes, I was raised Catholic and converted to Wicca when I was 21.  I had become increasingly unhappy about some of their theology and will be honest the way the sex scandal was handled was my last straw.  At that point I still did believe in Christianity.  But when I searched for the sect that mirrored what I thought I read the bible more and more and things just didn't make much sense any more. Then the more I read and looked the inconsistencies and contradictions jumped out.  The OT horrified me beyond belief and I couldn't understand the shift from the OT to the NT, it was as if God had a personality transplant.  Then I began finding out the changes that had been done to it, stuff taken out, re-written, gutted, etc.  and my disbelief grew.   The end finally came while I was watching George Carlin, believe it or not.  When he did his skit about how God and Santa sounded about the same, I was floored.  I sat there as that played through my mind and it made sense.  My faith officially died.  After that I read the books of many faiths from around the world.  Wicca matched what I believed best and my journey ended with it.
445946
many need to sit down first and examine if what they are following is really Christianity.
28409
I am a non-denominational, right-wing conservative, born-again, fundemetalist(in a nice way) Christian.\n\nI knew there had to be a God. But was this God personal, or some force? In 1971, I had a personal encounter after asking Christ to forgive my sins and fill me with His Spirit. This was at the peak of the Jesus People movement. (yes, I am an old Jesus Freak) From that moment on, I knew that He was a personal God. From that point on I have been trying to teach the Bible to whoever was curious or searching.
1128043
I was in my mid 20's when Jesus delivered me from a life of drugs, booze, cigs, etc.\n\nA christian man asked if he could pray for me, and when he did, within minutes, I was a totally changed person because God answered that man's prayers.  The Lord totally delivered me from those drugs, booze, cigarettes, etc, along with the desire and their affects.  Of course, I DID have to say "Yes" to the Lord, but He did all the rest.
1013038
I have often wondered.  That's why I carefully examined every religion (and continue to re-examine).  I am a Christian not just because I have rejected other religions, but also because I accept the Bible.\n\nPascal's wager might be a good starting place for looking at religion, but that in and of itself isn't much of a basis for a foundation.
67919
I have known very, very many ex-Christians who have converted to Judaism. The reasons may vary, but they usually follow a pattern. \n\nFirst they begin to start studying the Bible and that leads to questions. When they start asking these questions of their churchmembers and pastors, they cannot answer, and they begin accusing them of letting the devil in to their hearts, or the like. \n\nBut, they continue to study the Bible on their own, and they begin to see beliefs in the Christian New Testament and in Christianity as a whole that is completely incompatible, diametrically opposite what the Hebrew Scriptures say. They start to study more and more on their own, sometimes, by the way, drifting into Messianic "Judaism," "Hebrew" Christianity, or the "Jews" for Jesus, whatever they are being called now. They same thing happens, they continue to have questions, they do not get satisfactory answers, and get pushed away, and then they start studying real Judaism itself. \n\nWhat they find is a community that is supposed to ask questions, supposed to disagree with the rabbi, and supposed to study on their own. They find that doing the will of Gd, the commandments, things like keeping kosher and keeping the Sabbath and the other demands of Judaism, brings them closer to The One Who Commanded The Jews to do such things in the first place, and they begin to feel at home more than they ever had in their lives. They are encouraged to continue their studies, to ask questions, to think for themselves, and not be persuaded by emotions, by feeeeelings. \n\nThey come to understand that Jewish services are Eastern in nature, that it is called the Middle East, not the Middle West, and that therefore what is expected in Jewish worship isnt what one expects in Western/Christian worship. Eastern worship is more meditative and transcendant, rather than emotional and all about feeeeeelings. \n\nThey realize that everything in Judaism gives those who actually follow Judaism, a constant, consistent closeness to Gd that doesnt have to shout or be obvious, but which quietly reminds those who follow Judaism that they have a close personal  relationship with Gd. They find that they are home within the Jewish faith and within the Jewish community.\n\nHere are a few web sites to help you in your search:\n\nAnd WELCOME!\n\nhttp://Convert.org\nhttp://WhatJewsBelieve.org
397881
Christian. Because anything else doesn't give me true joy and won't get me to heaven. I'm able to call myself a Christian because I follow Jesus Christ. I'm able to follow Jesus Christ because He provided a way for me to do so by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. That's how I know I'm going to heaven after I die.
476760
I changed my faith to Hinduism from what I was brought up with, after YEARS of studying all I could about various religions, the Bible, and other Scriptures, ancient and world history, archaeology, etc.  I also "studied" myself.  I prayed a lot and came to understood that Hinduism is the religion of my soul, the religion I was when I was a child, before I was told what to believe.
262966
A Christian is someone who has asked Jesus Christ to come into their life & save them from their sinful lifestyle. That person accepts the bible as God's given Word, as inpired by the Holy Spirit. A true Christian tries to follow the laws of God to the best of their ability. They do not pick/choose which laws & rules they will obey. Jesus says (through the Bible) that "if you love me, you will obey what I command" (Jn 14:15). Christianity is also a relationship with God. That means that you communicate both ways. You pray to God & you listen to His word through reading the Bible, going to Church, Christian books/music, and communion with other Christians. The difference between Christianity & every other religious belief is that we don't have to "DO" anything to earn our way to Heaven. Religion is man's attempt to be good enough for God, Christianity is God's attempt to reach man & He did so by sending His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life and died for our sins on the cross. His blood washes away all of our sins because he was the perfect man/God. He was the ultimate & perfect sacrifice, & I thank God every day for His mercy.
764615
i was raised Christian and when i began to question things i became agnostic verging on atheist ( when i was about 17 )\nthis lasted for years ... but i did study during those years\nand i researched the paranormal and all those things that i questioned since young due to my own experiences\ni started going to spiritualist church only a year ago ... but have held the same beliefs as they do for the past 7 years ... so it seemed a natural progress for me to take on spiritualism as my faith
269223
I am a Christian already... I just feel Christ presence and I have faith in Him. I read the Bible and pray to God constantly and helps me strengthen my faith in Him. I also listen to Him.. listen to God and contemplating in His words really helps alot... Christ did something so wonderful to me... He saved me from ALL my unrighteousness... but not just ME but to you also...to all of us... and the good news is Christ is coming again to take us to heaven and would give us a new earth and a new life where there will be no more tears and no more failures and heartaches.. that's how wonderful to have Jesus in your life...
891204
Hello, I am confused at the question, but if you are asking if God will forgive you of your past of your unbelief, before you believed, yes. If we come to Him and ask with a sincere heart, He no longer remembers our transgressions... If you are wondering if God will forgive you after you believe, and no longer believe in Him... you will be held accountable, just like every unbeliever. \n\nIt is up to us to seek and search God out, and once we find Him to continue searching, always drawing nearer to God. \n\nIt was good that you had someone that could help you understand, but with that teacher being in a position of power, it is highly unhealthy for the both of you to continue your friendship. If he is looking out for your Christian walk, he should have made it clear for you to find a church, perhaps at his recommendation, and even introduce you to his pastor and elders and leave you in thier capable hands. It is too easy for tender young babes in Christ ( yes, I am am still considered one...) to gain an attachment to ones who hold so much more knowledge about God that we tend to put them on a pedestle or become attached emotionally to them. \nYou have the tools, and God does expect once we are led to Him, to continue the journey with Him. Ask God to lead you further... pray, and seek the members of a church. If you are sencere in your search, God will forgive anything that you ask of Him, provided that you do your best to lay that "sin" down... \nIt is not uncommon for those seeking God, falter, and say " I tried it, it wasn't for me" I urge you not give up searching God until you exauhsted every avenue. It is hard, and some people do not like the journey, it's too hard and long of a road... \nIf there is one person through them, you became a Christian, then there are others out there, to take over, and answer questions he perhaps cannot, you just have to search long and hard. \n\nIf you need to chat, or would like to have any conversations concerning Christianity, please feel free to use my email. \nGod Bless,\nAlways look up, and never give up.
1044934
When i became a Christian! It was truely wonderful because i began my relationship with the Lord!
35375
There have been some good answers so far but let me add another perspective. When a person becomes a Christian, they become a different person with a new nature-the nature of God. With this new nature comes a whole new set of desires. A Christian wants what God wants. As someone once said, "if it pleases you to please God then you can do what you please." \n\nOf course there are times in the life of a Christian when we let our human desires over-rule what God wants. But when you do something wrong, which the Bible describes as sin, then a true Christian will immediately feel bad about it and repent. Repent means to change your thinking and thus your actions. So a Christian will immediately acknowledge it as sin, reject it, and receive God's forgiveness. Since Christ died for all of our sins, He thus secured God's forgiveness for us. Therefore, as Christians we are forgiven. \n\nHowever, this is NOT an excuse to keep on sinning. And as a true Christian you should not want to continue in a life of sin.  For additional info you might check out the chapter entitled Your Means of Exchange: The Cross-Forgiveness in the book, Introducing The New You.
328536
What is a true Christian?