I, personally, am getting quite a bit out of this thread. I'm not just talking about the skeptical side either. I've gone through quite a bit in the last few years and it's made me question a lot of things. I've never been an especially religious person, I was raised Methodist, but I couldn't even tell you what that means. We attended church sporadically but I was always taught to believe in God. I guess I did for the most part, just because I was scared to question it. And no, it's not like because I had bad stuff happen in my life I 'lost my faith', or 'turned my back on the church'. I never really understood any of it except that I was supposed to be a good girl, pray to Jesus and I would go to heaven some day. I'm just questioning things now. I'm not anti-spirituality, but I am anti-religion. That's because of what I stated before. The Bible was written by people who believed. It was written as a record of their beliefs and teachings. IMO, it was never intended to be an historical document.
I do, however, believe in the power of prayer because if people truly believe then they are going feel comforted by that. I would love to be able to feel that way too, but unless I see actual evidence, I cannot take the Bible literally. To me it represents a collection of stories, maybe based on truth, but embellished to teach a lesson. There's nothing wrong with that. If you think those lessons are valid and they help you to live a happier, more peaceful life...
wonderful, then by all means, BELIEVE. I think everyone can learn a lot about living a happier life from the Bible, but not for the same reasons YOU believe that.
Our country right or wrong. When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right.
--Carl Schurz, German-born U.S. general and U.S. senator