Better reasons to quit Christianity

[Cato]

OK. I used to be Evangelical, have considered becoming Catholic, but am investigating atheism before I make up my mind. Does that help?

This reply has the potential of being lenghy. Your statement above makes clearer your line of questioning in this and other threads. I don't understand the limitations you place on your quest.

Atheism is simply the rejection of all god claims. That's it, so I don't understand the Catholic or atheist choice. Are you simply wrestling with the existence of a god? This should be settled before deciding on a brand of religion.

If you decide on the idea of a god as the creator of the universe, how do you then limit your choice to just one of tens of thousands of Christian sects? What happened to all the other creation myths and associated religions? Why wouldn't a desitic position be acceptable if you choose to believe in a god creator?

This is where religion comes in. It's purpose is to tell you how to think about god, what creeds you must maintain for membership, how to treat fellow humans, how to interpret ancient testimony (ancient doesn't apply to Mormons or Scientologists, among others), how to vote (in many cases), what clothes are acceptable, what foods can be consumed, the list goes on. There are varying degrees amongst religions regarding this mind control.

I have difficulty understanding how educated adults can read The Bible or other ancient texts and not immediately dismiss them. To believe that these books are the inspired word of god takes a frightening level of credulity in the 21st century. There is then the argument that they aren't the inspired word of God and there are some good lessons to be learned. This requires an extrabiblical standard of good and bad, so then what need do I have of the Bible for morality if it is not the standard? It may contain excellent expositions of what we might call good, but it is not its source. Joining a particular Christian sect just shifts the standard to the person reading the text from a raised platform at the front of the room. I choose not to abdicate thinking about my existence to anyone, let alone someone that invokes books claimed to be inspired by god that were actually written by scientifically ignorant blood thirsty ancients.

I reject all god claims due to the lack of evidence. With god out of the way I reject all religions due to their lack of authority in matters of truth. I will consider specific religious tenants based on their adherence to reality. If someone can present evidence for god I will consider it. Even if god's existence were proved, assigning authorship of the Bible to this entity would be a herculean task.