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Your command of scripture is impressive, no doubt you have spent many hours pouring over the bible and it gives comfort to you and provides you with structure in your life. Kudos.

I, however, do not feel that way. I OWN a bible, yes, and from time to time I pick it up and read the odd passage and think to myself; "wow, that Jesus fellow really had some wonderful things to say, it's a pity no one listened."

I have spent enough time reading, thinking, and talking about the bible and the fables of Christianity to come to the following conclusion:

If, someday, somehow, it is conclusively proven that the Earth and the Universe as a whole are less than ten thousand years old, and that a global flood covered the whole planet, and that the kangaroos somehow made it to Australia from central asia, and the Natives of America colonized two whole continents and entirely lost all trappings of literary society in the short span of time they had to spread out from Mount Sinai, and that we are all descended from two people, one made of mud, and the other from the first one's rib, I will be very surprised, but I will say, "Gosh, I guess it's all true then." And then can you guess what I'll say?

I will say, "I'm sure glad Eve ate that apple, 'cause I'd rather be a thinking person than a thoughtless, worshiping, naked puppet. To heck with God if he's so petty." And I'll take my eternal damnation like a man.

Until such time, I will continue to think of the Bible as an excellent archaeological tool with some good advice on how to be a decent, happy person. And I will accept the evidence I find, and that other people find with their eyes, ears, and hands as being accurate.

And I will accept the evidence I find...

Ok then, but just remember; it's not just the evidence, but the interpretation thereof that makes a difference.

I'll tell you up front that you will probably NOT find any 'evidence' for the things you spoke of.

NIV John 20:24-31
24. Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
26. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
27. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28. Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29. Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30. Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

I OWN a bible, yes, and from time to time I pick it up and read the odd passage and think to myself; "wow, that Jesus fellow really had some wonderful things to say, it's a pity no one listened."

I have spent enough time reading, thinking, and talking about the bible and the fables of Christianity to come to the following conclusion:

You didn't learn History, or English or Algebra this way....