And that's to be commended? I don't wish it to be a weapon, nor do I wish to offend, unless the offence is the cross. Yes, I take the Bible literally, and believe that each human is responsible to read it and understand it for themselves. However, words mean things, and God had words written that exactly express what he wanted to convey, plain words, plain language. Using the method of "spiritualization", however, I can find anything I want. How about a suicide cult? "Judas went out and hung himself...Go ye therefore and do likewise!"
What I think, or you think, or the Dali Lama thinks, is irrelevant, unless it agrees with what a reliable scripture says. You and I must deal with what Jesus said in Matthew 7:34-15:
13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
and John 10:1-7
1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jesus Said further, in John 14:6
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Regardless of what you or I believe, we must explain what Jesus meant by these sayings. Either he is the exclusive way to God, or he is not. The writing is plain.
Jesus Christ IS God. I think I've said that. I don't know Him to be so egotistical to care what name He's called by.