Why Believe?

People raised in a Christian tradition and continuing to practice it as adults are sometimes asked why they do what they do (other than via sheer inertia of habit) in a modern culture that’s increasingly secular. Some of us point to the force of conviction: “I do what I do because the Gospel compels me to profess a faith in the risen Christ and to live my life accordingly.” Others might name personal salvation as their motivation for belief: “I am a Catholic/Christian because I want to go to heaven when I die and have eternal life with God.”  Should we be satisfied with these answers?  With any answer? Is there indeed a “reason” we cling to Christian faith in a secular world? Is there something that makes believers “different” from the growing number of people who’ve left faith behind or who never held religious beliefs to begin with?