Obviously much of Genesis is allegorical. But are the "history" books also supposedly allegorical?
I know you don't like standard Christianity which integrates both the OT and the NT but we are stuck with a God in the NT that is, per every single line of the NT, the same God as the OT.
The reason many of us atheists focus on the OT is because that represents the ORIGIN of God. It represents the BASELINE of God. Given that Christianity does NOT allow one to ignore the OT (that is heresy) it means that the God of the OT has to be dealt with in any discussion of Christianity.
Personally I would recommend to Christians that they revisit Marcion and consider evolving the faith to be more focused on the NT and totally disavow the God of the OT. The God of the OT represents most of the bad intentions many modern Christians carry. Whether it is their homophobia (based on Leviticus) or their eschatology (wanting the return of Jesus via the Holy Land which is "supernaturally" given to one group etc.)
I personally love the teachings of Jesus for the most part. They are brilliant and I can definitely see the makings of a great religion that would be a net benefit to the world. Which it finally seems capable of being. It had a rocky adolescence with a lot of murdery stuff and intolerance.
I like the fact that modern Christians are evolving the faith away from the fire and brimstone stuff, but the fire and brimstone stuff still rides along far too much for my comfort.
That's good because I've not seen anyone except Hume call Christians as many names as you imagine in your posts that they are being called.
In reality most of these conversations have been quite pleasant overall. I don't see anyone really attacking Christians on this thread. But I also get the sense that some posters get really upset when anyone so much as points out a theologically problematic part of Christianity.
Again, no one on this side has said that.
