The idea of god and the teachings of religion are superstitious and show discrimination and cruelty

Firstly, perhaps 5 rounds was a bit to much for this debate. Although it seems relevant now we may have been able to clear everything in 4 rounds but anyway we're on the homestretch now. I understand where you are coming from when you explain that anyone can interpret the bible the way they want and you are right in saying that there is very little Christian extremists out there but for me that is where the problem here lies. Even if it is only a few percent of the Christian faith that are like this then they will most likely study such harsh sounding passages and take them completely in literal sense. If you think about there is approximately 2 billion Christians in the world. Even a few percent of that would be a huge figure of individuals who are not necessarily but likely taking such passages in a literal sense. This results in a large sum of people adopting wicked and immoral teachings (as that's what they are in a literal sense) and living their life under such teachings. Which I feel is contrary to your notion that the bible only creates good. If such an extremist is condemning homosexuals to hell then surely that is inputting an evil into the world, not goodness. Likewise you say you look at the passage about family as a test. That is truly a great way to look at it and its great for you but who's to say that another person won't take it seriously? We are most likely talking about extremists here but not necessarily. I am not playing the extremist card in order to make cheap shots I am just using them as an example to bump up my argument that religious teachings can indeed show immorality. If a man rejects and hates his family completely and only loves God then is that not creating an immoral hatred towards his family and therefore inputting an immoral hatred in the world? All because a teaching from the bible, the word of whom he loves and is so greatly devoted to. I understand where your coming from in why you believe in the Christian God because he fulfills what he sets out do and please don't take this as mockery, I am not being facetious in any way but I could say that I believe in the Easter bunny because he fulfills in what he sets out to do and gives us eggs. A good few years ago when I was a child I never saw my parents placing the eggs in the home so I could conclude that it was in fact the Easter bunny. Likewise I understand what you are trying to get across in the "God works through us" notion. For me this seems like a very restricted notion. I find much more joy in believing that I was born as an individual with no almighty guidance. That way I know whenever I make a mistake it is solely my fault and whenever I grow as a person I know that it was all my doing, not a nudge from a divine figure. I just find that notion so much more fun, interesting and rewarding. However I completely understand your reason for such a belief. It's interesting to point out the idea of modern miracles. Like I said, the definition of a miracle is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is considered to be divine. Medicine, cars, television and Internet are all either Scientifically or Technologically spawned occurrences. However I do admire your appreciation for such things as I often take them for granted. If modern medicine is a miracle though and it's saved countless amount of lives then what about back then? What about all the millions of people who have died without it, where was their miracle? I understand what you mean by we are the miracle, I just wouldn't term it as the word "miracle". This is all I wanted to say, I found your parable and hyperbole explanation interesting and insightful and didn't feel the need to rebuke. You have very intriguing and thought out explanations. It has been a pleasure debating with you and I wish the best of luck. Note: I don't pray but I tell you now I'll pray for the poor voters who have to read all of this!