Because the bible tells you so?

[The Grand Nudger]

Well this is the problem I see then, take what I say at face value. Don't paint a broad brush from every other theist you've talked. I would probably have the same qualms with most of them. I never used the word barbarian and that isn't how I feel. I believe that the Moasic law was a system that protected gods ultimate plan. Paul illustrated the law covenant as a tudor, or protector, to christ. It was not a perfect system. But for the ISRAELITES, it was the best possible system to protect them as a people that served to gods purpose. The Israelites were supposed to be kind to alien residents. Again, I am on the fence with what I ultimately believe but I am just responding the OP about what helped me have faith in the bible

I absolutely understand that this isn;t how you feel, however, that is what the statement implies.  Perhaps, if you didn't see the bible as that "best possible" business you would feel differently.  And hey, here you are, in the vipers den..as it it were...you should expect to hear things approached from an angle that may not have presented itself to you previously.  

I'm not commenting on what other theists say - you said that-...do you not want to explore that statement, or it's implications?  If I take it at face value I'd simply state that you cannot reasonably make that claim, you will be unable to explain why..other than personal preference, you believe it to be true.  -and I did say that, eh?  The isrealites had more than one religion operating in their region and within their population......so again, no it wasn't even the best possible system for the israelites of that time period - by any metrics that would make it a less woeful statement than before -even with this modification-.  When were they supposed to be kind......when they weren't exterminating those aliens at the expressed -command- of their god?  

Color me unimpressed with their system.

I have gone toe to toe with catholics, mormons, and protestants about their beliefs. Even if they have scriptures to back them up, I know that the composite picture doesn't work for them. Scripture mining is not more noble than quote mining

Yes, within the framework that you have the right interpretations, and quote the right scriptures.  The situation for them is entirely the same only in reverse, you understand?

Of course, so then I would say that the sect that has the least deviations from christs teachings wins

-and again, since the meaning of the phrase "the teachings of jesus" is demonstrably variable between groups.....you're simply favoring your own sects meaning of that phrase as the metric.  You shouldn't be surprised when other sects come up short.....but you probably shouldn't take that to mean anything - as you've rigged the game.

lol@the happy hands alliance..... Think of every southern stereotype....then add the military, it's just who I am....my foul mouth and aggressive style can put a person off...but they're just the rough exterior to a warm, welcoming southern heart brutha!   Consider my comments regarding the relative barbarism of other systems, lesser systems and your interactions with other christians. It's not so much I'm criticising -your system- or -your metrics- primarily in this.....as I'm standing up for theirs (even though I think those other systems are equally ludicrous.)