Why do some people choose not to beleive in Jesus?

I'd say 3 main reasons.

1) for some people, the things that the present world has to offer are more appealing and important than eternal things.

2) the fear of social rejection or persecution

3) some people do not think that they need a savior. these people consider themselves to be “basically good”

You mean that Jesus is still alive, or that he was some kind of god?

It's the complete lack of evidence, of course. Why would there need to be other reasons?

I don't believe in Jesus for exactly the same reason that you don't believe that there's a polka-dotted chimpanzee dancing on your head at this very moment. If that strikes you as a sarcastic answer, then you need to think about this quite a bit more. It's a straightforward, honest, and completely reasonable answer.

People chose to be atheists for many reasons. Some doubt religious truth because it cannot be proven, considering science more trustworthy because it can be verified. Because God's existence cannot be proven, atheists chose to believe that there is no such thing as God (or Jesus). They also tend to believe that nothing exists apart from matter. Many atheists, are however, humanists- they try to lead good, virtuous lives putting humans, rather than God or Jesus at the center.

Other people who are Agnostic believe that there is not enough proof of the existence of God (or Jesus) to either confirm or deny- however leave room for the possibility of their existence.

Also, there are the Eastern religions that believe in

an ultimate force that cannot be described in our language because it is sacred. (not the trinity, etc) and it is found in nature- life is cyclical and they believe in reincarnation.

Just many differences of culture and upbringing.

Maybe they actually know some honest history. Maybe they understand science. Maybe they're morally and spiritually repulsed by the savagery and barbarism of Christian theology. Maybe they're acquainted with some "Christians" who have left an unsavory impression.

These are "real" answers - seriously. I'm not being sarcastic or hateful. I could explain everything in detail, but I'm sure you've heard it all, and have chosen to take another view. No odds to me. So why is this view so amazing to you?

It is not a choice I made. It was a realization I came to.

Why do you choose not to believe in Muhammad, Zeus, Baal, Santa Claus or the Flying Spaghetti Monster? You didn't. You just realized that those things are silly. The evidence in favor of those things is not as strong as whatever makes you believe in Jesus.

Please tell me why you do believe in Jesus, and don't say the bible says so. Independent thought why do you believe?

I think the bible is just a book, that has been proved false in many ways. I can not confirm Jesus ever existed, let alone is the son of god. Supernatural claims are not answers, they are the lack of answers. The warm fuzzies about an afterlife are just wishful thinking about our own mortality.

Anyone that has read up on history should know better than to "believe". The fact the legend (virgin birth, crucified savior) surrounding him was plagiarized from older myths is a good reason to doubt a need for belief.

To me it's not a choice. I really can't imagine what it would even be like to believe in him. I see Jesus as more of a metaphor than a real being. Like Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny.

If I had a dollar every time this question was asked in here, I could retire and live happily for the rest of my life.

I'm assuming we'll also see all the usual answers that normally crop up each time this question is asked as well.

Yep - looks like somebody already gave the Zeus answer. =)

You say 'choose not to' as if it is real but they decide not to beleive anyway--it's becuase the bible is contradictory and people who don't have studied the bible and asked questions about that faith/ Why don't you believe in walking dancing trees eating your roof?