[Elsie]

My belief is that they were writing stories, loosely based on facts, rich in metaphor, written in a style of the times.

And what do you base your belief upon?

[sand lake bar]

Years of thought, reading, the use of logic and philosophy. It begins with the idea that if God exists, He isloving, wise, and forgiving; not at all the kind of god that would condemn people to eternal hell solely for failing to check the “Jesus” box on the application. Were He that sort of god, it would mean that He expected His children to be more loving, wise, and forgiving than He Himself was.

Why should such a god expect worship—other than that which arises out of sheer fear?