I know GOD is real, before I read the bible, based on my parents beliefs.. as I read the bible I learn they are correct..

well i was raised catholic and i always believed that the bible is true.

I have nothing against Athiests, but this is like comparing apples to oranges. Christians DO read the Bible, then suss out what they believe and don't believe. That's what Sunday school is for....teaching Bible verses and such. I don't often hear of Athiests who do, although there are a few who converted after becoming disappointed/disillusioned with their religion.

I've said it before on AB, and I'll say it again. I'm so disappointed in my Christian peers! The hate and blatant disrespect for fellow human beings spewing forth like a never-ending font has hurt my heart on more than one occasion. Mr.Josh, your saying you've been "accused" is merely one incident in thousands that plainly demonstrates that this "Christian" approach DOES NOT WORK.

At what point did Christians decide that, if they could just be NASTY enough, they might win an argument, or convert a soul? Come on, guys.....God wants a THINKING Christian, not a hapless sheep. +5

In my opinion, most Christians approach the bible in a far more bigoted way than most atheists. Christians KNOW they are right, while Atheists admit there is much they don't know.

Most yes. Many started reading to prove it wrong but something happened along the way. And they began to believe. My former preacher was that way, he did not believe until he researched and every point he thought of he found in the Bible.

They accuse you of what they themselves are guilty of.

Apparently we're supposed to read the bible with the same 'spirit' of gullibility as they do.

Never mind that 2 billion christians all read the bible and darn near come up with thousands of differing interpretations.

That is the only way one could EVER believe in Bible!
It starts falling apart from the first page:
Day 1: God 'made' light, calling it the day.
Day 3: Plant vegetation appeared without sunlight!
Day 4: God 'made' sun ('greater light' to govern the day) and moon ('lesser light' to govern the night) and also stars (no particular reason).
Q: Where did the 'daylight' come from on Days-1-2-3?
(A: God's shiny fragrant arse!)
Obviously god knew less of light than Newton & Einstein!
(But He 'must' have inspired them to know the truth, while He told a different, less pertinent Truth
to Jesus Christ!) Bah, humbug!

That's a fair question MrJosh. (And thanks for asking it respectfully.)

I decided through a long process of questioning it and my faith, in a reasoned way. (Bible school; does what's taught in the Holy Writ 'work' in real life; seen tons of miracles; on and on like this, for me.)

I've read the Bible through from cover to cover at least 4 times now.
(Not that I claim to be any kind of 'definitive authority' on the topic, but having at least read what one claims to believe IS, usually, at least a good start!) ...
 
(+4)

Valid question and thank you. +4

I did not become a Christian until I was an adult. (I did not grow up religious.) Even then, once I came into the faith, I wanted to ensure that I was following the right faith and to make sure that no one was going to seduce me into anything cult-like. I became a student of the Bible and its history for a solid five years. Almost exclusively for five years, I read the Bible and supporting materials to help explain it historically and interpret it.

From my study of the Bible, I saw that it is internally consistent and verifiable as a historical document. I had to prove to myself that it stands as the source of truth, because I did not want to be religious for the sake of being religious. I had to know for myself that I could trust it-- especially because it was now going to inform how I would live the rest of my life. If my skepticism (even as a young Christian) had not been put to ease, then I would have doubted whether or not I was actually a Christian.

To answer your question-- I had to convince myself through study if it was true. Thankfully, I found that it was.

Good question. Very earnest. Thank you.

great question +2
yes... but still great question...a lot of time we get into something that we don't really know about, or we just say ...ummm yeah i believe... but look deep inside and you will find out if you really believe or just thought you did.