That penultimate paragraph is agreeable. I wouldn’t be so dismissive in much of the rest. People believe for many reasons, but the comfort it gives is surely one huge factor which is understandable for even the hardened atheist.
I don’t think I could be Christian, because the Bible is very Bronze Age human in mindset, but if others see it as some metaphysical and metaphorical holy book, so be it. I have often thought deism is probably the only way for a god to exist, given the scientific flaws found in every holy book (unless written off as metaphor), but that’s a story for another day. It would be detracting from the point I am making here. You might see it as wishy washy, and I might agree, but ultimately humans have a whole lot of irrational beliefs. It may be that some Christians have abused others for not going with their holy book, but it’s clear that there is a huge discrepancy in Christian thought. Plenty don’t accept the Earth is the centre of the Universe and they’re just as Christian as those who demand literalism. Though, I am sure bpg would disagree (and I’d say treating literalism as the only Christian way, in rebuttal, is playing to bpg’s tune actually).
Maybe it’s these acceptances of JI which has seen bpg turn on him and his doctrine.
