"But what about the moderates?"

[robvalue]

See if this story makes any sense:

I set up tests I knew you would fail, so I give you sin which passes through all your offspring forever. I then set up a place of eternal torture, where your offspring will go because of the sin I gave you. I don't want them to go there, but I won't just change my mind. Instead I will send myself down as a man, and sacrifice myself to myself. Then I can allow myself to change the rules I made so they don't go I to the hell I made for them. But only if they believe all this stuff without evidence.

Is that a coherent story? Or is it utter nonsense that teaches us nothing of value?

If you think it even "kinda" makes any sense or has any bearing on reality, I'm afraid you've been brainwashed and cannot think clearly about it.

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Sure, I'd love to people to actually objectively evaluate the bible. But no Christian by definition has ever done this properly and remained a Christian. There is always circular logic, if you want to take away anything other than little stories and dodgy accounts of history.

The thing I don't get is if you're just saying the whole thing is mainly metaphor and "life guidance" then it's not a religion. So why label yourself as religious? Just say, "that's helpful".

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One thing you should know about me though is I'm an anal little twat who always over analyses every little detail, way after everyone else has gone home. So best not pay too much attention to me. Ask my wife, she will confirm this.