If you are a convert from any religion, why did you convert?
960167
I converted to Islam, I like the fact that there are real answers to my questions, not just having to accept things on faith, I also like that I can find things in the Koran that are now known by science to be true, but that these things were not known at the time the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed(pbuh). This tells me that there was a higher power giving this message. I was raised Baptist, converted to a Mormon and still didn't find the peace and answers that I was seeking, that came only with Islam.
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.
1172827
When I converted I did a lot of peyote.\n\nThe shaman blessed me and the sacrament.
891156
I had this same problem. I was raised Catholic, but very loosely. Religion did not play a major part in my life, but don't think I was ever really an atheist. I started looking into other religions such as different Christian denominations, Hinduism, Bhuddism, Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, Judaism, Sikhism, Shinto, Manicheism, Gnostic Christianity, Wicca and even simply deeper into my original Catholic upbringing. I found them all very interesting, and full of truths, but not complete. Then I looked into Islam and I converted after about a year or so of research  and study of the religion. It just seemed to be what I had already believed all along, for as long as I can remember. \nI'm not saying that you should necesarilly become a Muslim now, but look into it. I would look into other religions on a deeper level and study them to see what makes the most sense and find what you believe (note I say "believe" and "sense" in the same sentence, not "find very interesting"). Until you find something, if you don't come to your own conclusions, just believ in God and do whatyou think is right; there isn't really much room for error there.\nI hope you find what you are looking for.
954797
No, you do not have to convert. And chances are that there are a few churches around. So you probably could if you felt like it.\n\nDon't drink the Kool-aid.
817574
I started out as a Methodist(christian) I was horrified the older I got how hypocritical people were and two faced!!! I stopped believing in God and became an Atheist But after several years I realized there had to be someone or something responsible for all the good things in the world we couldn't just be in this inconsequential universe could we?? I found Wicca later and it seemed cold and hollow to me... Now I believe in god but not organized religion I just worship in my own way and try to be a good person and that's all I can really be...
718063
There are a large number of people who have converted (or reverted as it's refered to by Islam), it is one of the fastest growing faiths presently.  Faith is something that is very personal, and specific to the individual.  If they feel that Christianity isn't the right mode to connect with their spirituality, then they most certainly should go forward and look for one that helps them connect better.  It's very easy to be disenchanted with Christianity right now, and Islam is presented as an alternative.  Do I think they are crazy, no.  It's not my place to call anyone crazy for their beliefs.  Everyone is entitled to do what gives them peace, regardless of my personal view of that thing.
874193
Well you're not really converting if you were already a Christian. Just choose whichever denomination you fell most comfortable with. None of them are perfect. Maybe you should tryout a few different ones to see what you might like.
920919
I love your question!  Your experiences really hit home with me.  I was raised without religious beliefs when I was very young, but I was raised with spiritual beliefs and was taught about reincarnation, the afterlife, how to read Tarot cards, etc.\n\nWhen I was a teenager I converted to Christianity, and followed that for about five years.  When I was 19 I converted to a pseudo-Christian religion that had its roots in gnosticism and Sabellianism.  I was really into that, and I swore I would never, never leave it, and that I would rather die than denounce it.  I was truly a religious fanatic!\n\nAs I got older, though, I changed.  I stopped seeing the world in black and white, I lost interest in being judgmental, and I decided that where people go when they die is none of my business.  I almost gave up my faith in Jesus because I was so disgusted with religion, but when I thought about my life I realized that a lot of good things have come my way because of God's goodness to me, so I asked God to help me keep my faith.\n\nAfter a couple of years of trying different churches of different denominations, all the while being very skeptical, I have finally found a church where I feel like I belong.  I still have faith in Jesus, but what I don't have is a judging, critical attitude.  I have gained a better understanding of how much God loves all of us, and I like myself a lot better now because I'm not judgmental anymore and because I am more accepting of people, religions of all kind, and life in general.\n\nSo now, at age 40,  I have learned to never say never, to not judge another person, to mind my own business, and to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness that is in every individual.  I also know from my past experiences that my faith will continue to change and hopefully grow.\n\nI could have left church and Christianity altogether, and like I said, I considered it, but I'm glad I didn't.  God helped me become a better person through all of this, and I didn't want to leave God because I know I wouldn't have all the blessings in life I have now and have had in the past if it weren't for Him.\n\nGood luck on your journey, wherever it may take you!
1075309
That happened to me.  I guess at first I felt totally betrayed, mad, I didn't know what to do or what to think.  Then I started trying to educate myself to "make sure" that I was correct that my belief system was based on lies.  The whole process has taken several years, but then I started researching many other beliefs and religions and found out that most of them were also.  So I am no longer a part of organized religion and I have discovered my own beliefs.  I'm still on my spiritual quest but my current beliefs probably lean toward New Thought.
343538
I follow my own religion, which is to learn and respect all the other religions.\n\ni.Because it is non official\nii.Because my parents do not follow it\niii.Because I truly believe on equality
973082
I converted to Mormonism 19 yrs. ago because I found that this church is the nearest to the most correctly organized churches of Jesus Christ and the way He ordained for His church to be in all aspects in this dispensation on Earth.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is incomparable to all the churches I ever belonged to before and because I asked of God and He brought me here.  When a true and righteous Mormon tells u that they love u they mean it, and prove it over and over again.
631107
I don't know...what was your reason?
918594
I've never walked out on a service but I did "leave" the Catholic church at age 17.  I realized that gods don't exist.  I couldn't remain a Catholic when I knew it was based on delusion.
1066127
I am saved, I believe in Jesus Christ as God's only Son who died for my sins and I have asked forgiveness for my sins.\n\nI have also followed God's leadings and they have not been easy, but I still obeyed.
556354
i will never even think to convert.i belive with no doubt in my relegion and i'm muslim.\nchick this story in this link and you will undrestand\nhttp://www.wade3.jeeran.com/How.htm
640322
I was raised Roman Catholic, but I hated it. I was dragged to church, and forced to go to catholic school. I sat in religion class, thinking that God didn't exist and that religion was brainwashing.My school was very sheltered from the rest of the world, and they didn't really let us associate with other schools, cultures or religions. I barely knew that other people existed. \n\nWhen I reached Grade 9, I went to a public high school, and I was amazed to find out about other cultures and religions. I did research, talked to people, and eventually turned back to my native American pagan roots. I started taking part in full moon ceremonies, and other pagan celebrations, sac rid fires, pow wows,drumming circles,naming ceremionies and stuff. Eventuially this lead me to Wicca, which I practiced for a few years, which lead me back towards paganism. \nI left these behind last year. I was always interested in Christianity, but as a religion, not as truth.\nI went to a Christian bible study with my parents. I remember being in the car saying " wow this is just going to be some stupid Christian propaganda". We turned the corner, and headed to the church. When we left the church, I said the prayer to ask Jesus into my heart into my heart for the first time ever.I felt the need, not out of fear of hell, but out of love for my creator. Out of LOVE for JESUS. I realised that GOD loves me.\n\nI went home and was so confused. How could my stubborn opinions be changed in a few hours? How could my beleifs be altered?What was going on with me! I needed answers.\nI felt to so alive, but had so many questions.I was so hyper, so awake, so amazed. I went on the computer and started searching. I found this website and talked to someone who helped clairfy what happened.