[Winter wind]

Hah, my first real post is on this touchy subject.

We're supposed to address the list of stuff from the beginning, right?

1) That's a point well taken. Not to mention the fact that the biblical description of Jesus' birth had everyone wearing rather skimpy clothing for mid-winter. Yet I hope you don't think so poorly of Christians that you think the Nativity and magic tricks type miracles are the point of Christianity. That stuff was more to help people convert during the conversion of the roman empire.

2) Faulty logic. The same could be said about any number of historical people. Buddha is one of them. Plus, it wasn't until the Apostles spread the word did Jesus get wider fame. Also, you try writing a Biography without a laptop and no internet for research quicker then few decades time.

3) you didn't support this with a whole lot of evidence, but i think I see where this is coming from. This is the whole bunch of laws from the L book (please don't ask me to spell it) in the old testament. You are right about the bizarreness and ineffectiveness of the old testament judicial system. The laws are crap and that needs to be addressed, however we are judging this in the 21st century where life is very different then several millenniums ago.
You use a lot of fancy words for your second section of argument 3 so please bare with my stupidity.
I think your saying that forgiveness as an escape from responsibility is wrong. I agree. I also think that the Bible agrees with you. The true meaning of Christian forgiveness is redemption over retribution. Because Jesus saved us doesn't give Christians a "get out of jail free" card. If a sin is committed, the idea is that we ask for forgiveness in the spirit of change. That the offender wants to do what he can to change the wrong that was committed

4) I don't quite get what you're saying, but I think your saying non-believers go to hell, right? Well I don't agree with that. See I'm more of a new testament Christian. The "Love thy neighbor" "Love your enemy" kind of guy. Yes the Bible says people who don't believe go to hell. But i say screw that. This sort of brings up how you lump all Christians into one category and label them cruel and stupid.

5) Your taking a one-sided view of this. The following is a list of places that converted to Christianity: Roman Empire, Most of Europe, Philippians, a lot of South America, America (every president was Christian), and others not off the top of my head (its midnight in Hong Kong, give me a break). You do raise a good point about war (if I understood "conflict" right). But most of the "holy wars" were attached to Christianity to enable the ignorant masses. Religion was used as an excuse here.

6) It's scientifically wrong because we are talking religion here. Did you want a hypothesis, procedure and analyzes describing how the Red Sea parted in the Bible?
It's logically contradicting because the New testament (in meager opinion) or more specifically, Jesus, was sent to change the understanding of Christianity up until that point. Jesus set a precedent that said, Christianity, while keeping it's fundamental values, must change according to times. Some have failed to see that in the Christian world.

7) I don't think God did support slavery or stoning of children (though the Bible does state the second). The bible was distorted by slave owners to justify slaves but if you find the actual quote (I think its in attachment with Noah and his sons) you'll see how dumb the interpretation was. The stoning of children was in the old testament, yet again I believe the old testament has to be taken with a grain of salt.

8) (finally) ouch, cancer. Isn't that what Agent Smith said about humanity? but thats neither here nor there. The stat you gave exists, I think, because prisoners want to look good for parole, prisoners faign faith. But that's just a guess. If you could give the exact source, I could see if I'm right or wrong.

It's a sad day for Christians when Atheist stop thinking we're naive and start thinking we're cruel. I hope I've at least convinced you that we aren't all the raving loonies you've made us out to be.

P.S. not bad for a first post. and please forgive any spelling/grammar errors.