[the truth]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I can understand that but - and I say this without it intending to be insulting or belittling those with faith - can we not be inspired by entirely fictional characters and stories whilst still accepting them as fiction? I know I have been, many times. Furthermore, even assuming some truth in many of the bible stories but no literal truth in the existence of a God / true miracles, are the HUMAN stories of people doing good and great things (in the name of God or otherwise) not just as inspiring without the supernatural element? Are they not even MORE inspiring?

That's something I struggle to get my head around. Is a person doing good, charitable, wonderful things for others just because they feel inclined to do so, and making moral choices to do no harm to others purely through empathy - with no watchful God, no promise of Heaven, no threat of Hell - not more impressive than when a someone does it fully believing that there is a system of reward and punishment at work?

That's just one part of it...why do you choose to throw it all out because there are parts that some believe that you don't? The point isn't just did this or this happen exactly and literally as written, the point is the moral lessons to be learned....The point is that yes some people do believe the literal versions, others take a view its more symbolic, some don't necessarily believe every word, but still take a enormous wisdom from it. I think Christianity is essential , I think its superior to other religions, as far more enlightened. I also think on the whole our society has done well by Christian values. Christianity allows us the opportunity to wrestle with questions of theology, or morality , the meaning of life and beyond. Some way we can do that regardless of the good book. But if we do that, who plays God? Cameron? Obama? The monarchy? The banks? David Beckham?

The Bible is a gift. Do I believe we should follow it slavishly? No. Do I believe it has infinite value to human evolution? Yes. Do I think the life of Jesus, whether its all literal, symbolic, whatever, it is of seismic value. No one man has influenced and inspired the world more to behave in a better more moral and just way. Who had really heard of or dared speak publicly about forgiveness, redemption, enlightenment in the middle east 2000 years ago.

I do not however believe anyone has the right to publicly moralise to others and that goes for all religions and atheists who do it in the UK and online more than religious people. If you want to know about Christ its best to go to Church. However in the end its how we live our lives that counts. I think Christianity gives one a better opportunity to be a moral decent well balanced person. But that doesn't always happen in reality. The best people I know work so hard they don't even have time to go to Church , yet in practice they are better people than some of those who attend Church regularly.

In the end its how one lives ones life.

8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.