Why This Belief?

What if he wasn't? What if he were a successful religious con man who managed to bilk a lot of people and did it so well that people continue to be bilked 2000 years later? We can't know. There is no evidence for Christ's divinity or his being a con man.Why do you choose to believe in him?

Sort of working back to front... That faith is the most potent element of human existence is your unporvable opinion. Then it isn't evidence. Evidence works for everyone if it really is evidence. There is no such thing as evidence for you but not for me. In any case, I am not here to debate for the umpteenth time whether there is evidence for the divinity of Christ. There isn't, which is why I don't believe in it.The question is why, given this lack of evidence, does anyone choose to believe in such divinity. So far, Phat and CS have basically said "Because I do". That's nice. Why? We have this from CS: Are we really to beieve that it is outside the realm of possibility for Christ to have lied or been deluded about one thing only... his divinity? That is, of course, assuming that his teachings are actually applicable in modern times or that they ever were. Believe it if you will, CS. That is your right, but it isn't a very compelling reason.And finally... Maybe he was just really good at the street preaching end of things but bad at the payoff and getaway parts.

You are correct that choosing theism is not a logical or scientific choice. However, you are making a few incorrect assumptions in your detailed decision making process. Why? Do you think there is something special about you that makes such a thing unlikely? I have never observed anything like that. This is absolutely untrue. It is simply prejudice. Altruism and all it's manifestations are very useful evolved traits. Love of children and family, compassion for the injured, a willingness to defend the group at the cost of one's own life, all of these and more are altruistic traits useful to the species as a whole. The "still small voice" is just the promptings of our evolved altruistic traits. By the way, if you are actually hearing a voice rather then an emotional urge to act in a certain way, consider seeking help.So now, the Atheist bashing done with (I consider someone saying 'deep down you have my God in your heart and you just won't acknowledge it' bashing) GDR proceeds to give us all the reasons he choose Christianity. I see no need to comment on any of that as it is all simple, unsupported opinion that it is GDR's right to hold. It is utterly personal and unconvincing.One question that keeps getting raised in my mind is why do the vast majority of theists have their sudden, deep conversions about the socially acceptable faith in the society they were born and reside in?

If that were really all Christianity taught the problems with it would certainly be lessened. Unfortunately, that is not the case. White washing Christianity and taking from it only what is socially considered good right now is spurious.And as to the second part of your question, yes it does matter. He claimed it. People build their lives around it. Wars were fought and are being fought because of it. Personal cruelties and abuses are happening because of it. It damn sure matters morally if Christ was lying when he made his claims.

And I pointed out some spurious assumptions you made in making your decision. You really don't like your faith being questioned, do you?