With all due respect, and I mean that because I love the idea of Christianity, but how can you shut off your intellect regarding a bunch of writings by men who didn't even know what a cloud is? They thought the world was flat; they thought the Sun revolved around the Earth; they had no clue as to why seasons came and went.
They were no more informed than the Druids who built Stonehenge (supposedly). And there is the New Testament with some old guy in cave writing about the end of the world (Revelations). In between there are some facts about an exceptional man - Jesus Christ. But son of the god of the Universe?
Sheesh, the Old Testament is even worse with its fairy tales. Really? A snake with Adam and Eve? How do you do that? How do you buy such fables? Don't answer - I know, faith.
Also, why would god not want anyone to perish? Thought he loved all souls and wanted them to be with him in Heaven?
You use the word “faith” dismissively. Faith is not such a bad thing. There are some things you can’t see without it. Faith is a necessity for getting in touch with God.
But a more important word in this context is trust. Trust that God is good, that He intends the best for you. That He wants most of all to be in communion with you. The only way to God is to trust Him.
Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” It requires a step out, a willingness to submit to His way, not our way.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)