You said -- "I fail to see the importance of any one person becoming Christian, or atheist, or Hindu, or whatever."
Well, for one thing, Jesus made the claim of being the only one who "saves" (as the Messiah of Israel and of the whole human race, from beginning to end) -- a totally exclusive claim. There is no room for other "ways" according to Jesus.
In John 14:6 --
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
This is what Jesus says, it's what God says, it's what the Bible says, it's what the Apostles and leaders of the Jerusalem Church said (i.e., the first church), and it's what current-day Christians say.
There is no room in God's way of offering salvation to the world -- of any other way or method. God doesn't allow it; Jesus makes it perfectly clear there is no other way except through Him.
You're on the wrong side of Jesus on this one.
Regards,
Star Traveler
I don't see how I'm on the wrong side. I never said otherwise.