(I don't know exactly and there is no one left alive to ask.)
We never went to church, although I attended VBS a couple of times.
What 'religion' I had, I picked up from our society (White, Midwestern, lower middle class).
What got me started was a late night movie in Denver, 1960 (Getting AF electronic training at Lowery).
They played a flick about miracles at Lourdes.
After leaving the girl's house after midnight, I was walking along the outside of the fence at the end of the runway, looking at the incredibly clear sky and twinkling stars; quite unlike what I could see back home..
Thinking about 'miracles' caused me to say "BUNK! Mere coincidence!!"
I had learned about Evolution in school, and the Big Bang thing was being tossed about at this time (Yeah; a Catholic thought THAT up; too!).
Atom bombs were a threat to EVERYONE and nuclear winter was at our door!
E=mc2 and all that!
GOD??
Eh... I doubt it.
I knew from my wonderful math classes that equations can be written different ways. Einsteins could be re-written...
M=E/c2
That explained it ALL!
Big bang - poof - and there is all that MASS of the Universe.
I was a happy camper that I'd figgered it out!
It wasn't but a few steps later that a thought - almost a still small voice - said, "Where did the energy come from?"
Interesting. We all have a different story on what motivated us to faith in Christ. I don't care what motivates people, as long as they come to Christ. My motivation, was a fear of heck, like your tagline. 😄 You were at Lowery in 1960? That would make you about 35. 😝 I joined the USAF in 1967, and retired in 88.