[Red Slinger]

I've really enjoyed the posts in this thread from both "sides" of the debate. For some reason I was reminded of (I think it was) an episode of Family Guy where Peter dies and goes to the Pearly Gates. St.Peter is introducing a large throng of the newly deceased to the gates of heaven and is trying to hurry them along to get ready for the next group. During the indoctrination (dare I say) he asks if anyone has any questions. Peter raises his hand and asks "so, which one of the religions is right?" St.Peter responds, "oh, yeah, it's the Jews" (IIRC- it possibly could have been another religion). Some in the throng respond with exclamations of "I knew it" or "I was so close" or "I shouldn't have had that ham sandwich", etc. Sorry if this makes light of the issue as I know how important it is to so many people.

On a more serious note, I am not a religious person. I'm not sure that I'd classify my self as an aetheist or even an agnostic. I guess if I had to label myself it would be something like Orthodox Skeptic. That said, from time to time I very much envy those that believe in a higher power. I don't envy them because I think my life would be better or I'd be happier or any other tangible improvement but I envy their faith. In my experience Faith is the real difference between a person who 'believes' and one that doesn't. A person without Faith can't understand the person with Faith unless they've experienced it themselves (as I have). A person with Faith can't necessarily quantify, qualify or explain their Faith: it's there and they feel it.

I hesitate to get into the psychological breakdown of this phenomenon because I think it would be extremely disrespectful. Who am I to argue what another person feels, especially when they feel it deeply? However, I will gladly argue the validity of the Bible as the word of God. A little scholarly study quickly and easily reveals the direct influences for the Bible. Many practices from pre-Christian Pegan worship, ancient political philosophy, populist attitudes of the era and even propoganda from the powerful of the time find their way into the Bible in a very direct and transparant way. To think that the Bible is written by God is ridiculous. To suggest that people, complete with their flaws, pettiness, partialities, histories and personal agendas didn't write the Bible is ignorant (at best).

I find no fault in a faith based believer. What they believe is largely irrelevant to me. Someone who lives according to a book written by people who weren't even at the thing they're describing is beyond faith or even blind faith. They are in denial.