I was raised in a Baptist family, led to believe in a supernatural Creator and his Son. I’m 31 now, and struggle to find the faith I had growing up, in light of these observations:
1. It was easy for me to see the folly in stories from Mormonism and Islam. Stories about magical plates and seer stones, and flying horses. As a Christian, why is it so easy for one to see the mythological properties of other religions as fiction, and yet be able explain away the mystical elements of Christianity?
2. How do you explain the fact that the stories surrounding Christianity are not original, but rather remarkably similar, even identical, to ancient pagan beliefs? The immacculate conception, the rock tomb burial and resurrection after three days, communion, Christmas, Easter all have strong ties to pre-Christian pagan theologies.
I’d love to believe that accepting Christ will get me to Heaven, and I pray for that faith, but I can’t force myself to believe. What do ya’ll think?
Oh, my lack of faith is based on much more than just this. I only had 1000 characters to use. 
Let me be a little more clear about the main question I’m asking:
Why do you choose to believe in the supernatural events in Christianity, yet catagorize events no less incredible from other religions (both dead and existing today) as simple mythology?
I appreciate your answers. Wish I could respond individually, but the quantity is a bit overwhelming.
Thank you IKB, for attacking the questions head on. I’d like to address a couple things:
1. You say that Mormonism and Islam are dead, yet supernatural power is given to Christians. Based on what evidence? No offense, but how can you simply claim that, and expect me to take it at face value?
2. You’re right, I probably should have left out Christmas and Easter, as they don’t quite fit into the context, but they are celebrations that most Christians participate in, that have pagan origins.
Additionally, I have read Evidence that Demands a Verdict, both volumes, and it is not as difficult to argue as you might think. My mother has these books and is still a very devout Christian.
What evidence are you talking about that relates to the resurrection and/or the immaculate conception?
Last thing to everyone else, the ties to pagan writings I talk about for the virgin birth and resurrection are from before Christ lived, so they are not merely “other accounts” of these event
I’m pretty new to this Y! Answers thing, and I’m finding that I want to use it more like a message board than it is intended to be. Not really set up to have discussions here, just questions and, duh, answers. Ah well, still a pretty cool idea.
