I'm sure there are people who study religions just for fun, or originally wanted to. How often do these people end up being a believer of one of them? Is there a statistic like it turns out they usually believe in the first religion they study?

I don't really belong to a religious group(sect?) but I'd like to learn more about Scientology and Christianity.

Scientology because after reading the Wikipedia on it and L Ron Hubbard, I'm just ridiculously curious about what could possibly be written in Dianetics that has so many people following it.

Christianity just because it's such a popular religion in the US and there are like a million different types(sect?)

Do you guys think the best bet on both of these would be to get Dianetics(and whatever sequels are out there) and the Old and New testament? Maybe afterwards read some material written by scholarly people, but I was thinking read the books first so I can at least form my own opinions?

I'm sort of worried though, no disrespect to any religion but if I thought there was even a 1% chance I came out of this a devout Christian or Scientologist I wouldn't even dare open the books.

Having no real religious upbringing(I only go to Church when visiting family out of respect and have no clue what's going on... probably 10 times in my 25 years) I just have no clue what to really expect from reading these things.

Are they just books/stories? Are they written in a way that tries to get the reader to change their ways or beliefs?

Thanks guys!

Why don't you read them and find out instead of posting here? What are you so afraid of? I think you'll find that none of them offer anything so irrefutably true that they will make you a devout believer -- at least that has been my experience. I was so dissatisfied with our existing belief systems that I've begun creating a new religion I can actually believe in, which I'm calling "Cosmism". If you google "cosmism tikal" you'll find my blog if this idea intrigues you. Right now I'm looking for people to help me create this religion -- writing a "spiritual guidebook for the next billion years" is a big task!

I've studied religious history and comparative religion for over 6 years now, and it has done nothing to make me a believer. If anything, the opposite is true.

So you're going into this with a closed mind with no chance of changing your opinion? Sounds good OP, gl.

I wonder if any 6000-year old Earth fundamentalist Christian says the same thing about reading books on evolution...

Thank you for the response, I guess I'm going to the library for the first time in six years tomorrow.

Wow, you are extremely astute and insightful, I bet you're the smartest person you know!

My friend majored in religion or religious studies or whatever in college. He said that most people came out of there less religious than they went in.

However, if reading about a religion convinced you it was the truth, wouldn't you want to know that truth? What would you be afraid of, exactly?

Depends on your IQ...if it is higher than Forest Gump, odds of becoming a believer is low.