ok, rather than the somewhat atypical "introduce yourself" type posts, how about this thread? What are our reasons for being Christian?

I was brought up in a Christian home for all of my life. We read something called Portals of Prayer after supper every night which was a Christian-based devotion (along with being tortured with listening to polka music and the laughing polka). We went to church every Sunday, of course, and for most of my life I simply did not question anything I was taught. Let's face it, growing up without any challenges to your faith and relatives who pretty much believed as I did, I found no reason to until I began dating a woman who put that faith in jeopardy.

My wife (now my ex) could be considered a lapsed Catholic - highly critical of Christianity but willing to accomodate it in me and my desire to have our children be brought up in this faith. Her desire for intimate relations before marriage and my feelings that they should be reserved for marriage put my faith in jeopardy because I was possibly forced to make a choice between one or the other. I was never faced with the possibility of losing her because of this, but the worry put me on a path to doubt my faith and research it. Since I was at that time self teaching myself in computer programming, because of my doubts I swerved into the realm of religion and philosophy in a way that changed my life.

My first trip was to my pastor who gave me a copy of Josh mcdowell's "Evidence Demands a Verdict" which I read at length and had never before thought along the lines as he. I was at the time suffering from a mini depression considering that I might have been wrong about my faith, but I plowed through reams of information not only from this book but other books on Christian history (living alone at the time I had plenty of time to research this stuff)

I became impressed with the case for Jesus' resurrection as Mcdowell presented it, but that was not the sole source of my inspiration. I also took on several creationist books by Duane Gish and was soon crafting my own ideas that I felt had to eventually get out to others. Rather than reading, I felt I had to contribute as well.

soon after reading numerous Christian publications, I felt that if I wanted to be competent in knowing things about this topic, I had to actually read some non-christian publications though it may be a challenge to me. There was, of course, the fear that I would find things that would contradict my faith, but I had to at least be bold.

I read Richard Dawkins' "Blind Watchmaker" book and also a book by B.C. Johnson called "The Atheist Debater's Handbook." I devoured them and found many of the arguments specious and illogical and they were the source of much of my writing on these topics. with every discovery of the falsity of their beliefs strengthened my own. I did slowly realize that many of these people were not unbiased scientists but people devoted to erecting a religion of secularism totally against Christianity. If mankind is in a sinful rebellion against God, I felt this was a perfect example of this truth and evolutionist belief one example of this rebellion.

Yet I had no real taste at debating an atheist until I ran into one on the old computer bulletin boards named Lunatic Fringe. He tested my faith again and I had to once again dig in my head to figure out what was true. I don't fear him now as I am a much more educated Christian, but he was a very angry man that at least challenged me and to whatever challenge I was subjected I responded positively.

Some other things that led me to have my faith reinforced were growing realization of gaps in what nature can accomplish and the marvels at the micro-engineering in nature. I'm speaking of what is now called the "argument to design" or anthropomorhic coincidences (spelling?). It seems that if Christianity were true then God would have designed the world and nature for us to marvel at his ingenuity. and this is what we are indeed finding. in a recent book review I did, I pointed out the ingenius engineering in the cell, for instance, which points to a designer even down to that micro size.

Around 2003 I had begun being publshed in the newsletters of the Lutheran Science Institute where I am a current member of the board of directors. I created some strong ideas against theistic evolution and also formed some strong arguments about what philosophers called the "moral argument." I felt they were on the right track also in positing a strong moral compass that humans have which reminds me of the Biblical phrase that God's commands are written on our heart.

My arguments against evolution and atheism were not my only lines of thought as I, after having a brief run in with a Buddhist at work, researched that also. I felt that while those religions had something to offer - such as the belief in an immaterial soul which is similar to our own faith, i felt their view of reincarnation untrue. i know of nobody in my life who has had any kind of experience that would validate faith in that and I also felt that -morally speaking- that belief was flawed.

I also began writing some material on the New Age movement and have numerous books on that. Since the New Age momement is wedded so severely to evolution and I believe belief in evolution is flawed, then I also belief that New Age beliefs are as well.

as of this moment, I'm still writing and learning more, but firm in some of my beliefs while being willing to be plastic in others if need be. But I look back at that time of my life when I had doubts and am glad they are past as they have been replaced by good knowledge