Blurring the lines.

[Godscreated]

Actually there's no both to it, the Bible is an instruction book for Christian living and a history of why we need Christ. The Gospels tell us about our Christ and the rest of the NT is about the way we are to live as Christians and how we can tell if there's fruit on the tree.
You're right it's the business of the Christian church to determine who may be or may not be a Christian. When we refer to a person being a "true" Christian it is their basic belief we are concerned with not their denominational beliefs, all denominations that are Christian have the same basic belief, period.

GC

You think we believe atheist have deluded themselves, yes we do, you've bought into the lie Satan sold Adam and Eve. You criticize us for believing in something we can't see, yet you can't see you bought into something you can't see and you do not even realize you have.

GC

An instruction book? Which part? The part that tells you how to treat slaves? Or the part that tells you to to marry off your daughter to a rapist? Or the acts of genocide?

If you would make an honest attempt at conversation instead of trying to ridicule people for their beliefs we might be able to have a conversation but, until you can it want happen and if you do not care to have a conversation then stop answering what I post.

You have the same problem Muslims do with the Koran. To be civil you really have to ignore the nasty parts of these books. That is the part moderates and liberals of both religions don't want to face. The violent ones get their ideas of morality from the exact same books you do. Difference is they take it word for word. Your human empathy, not the book, is what allows you to skip over the nasty parts and ignore them.

I ignore none of the Bible and I do not see it as you do because I study the Bible and ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance. I know that doesn't mean anything to you and I see why, you've never experienced it, a shame really.

Our species was around long before either of these religions were invented, and even before the Hebrews which stem from polytheism. Our species has always had the ability to be cruel our compassionate. When we do good, that is coming from the empathy and caring side of our evolution. It is not coming from old books of myth.

You are right that man was around before these religions and before the Hebrews, that proves nothing and changes nothing. The Hebrews were not polytheist in the sense that they put all the gods under one umbrella. The God of creation was separate from the rest, so yes they worshiped many gods a times and, found themselves under punishment for doing so. God had formed this nation to show all people how man failed and needed a redeemer to come into a relationship with Him, through the Son He would allow to die for us. I reject evolution like you do God, so don't use that stuff with me. So you see I reject your insinuation that any people came before Adam and Eve.

GC