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

Thank you for clearing all that up. Now that that is done, let me move on toy your points, as you make a good few. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27, And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple". Jesus often used hyperbole's to exaggerate point with his many stories, for instance, the Good Samaritan, the Man and the Pearl, and the Mustard Tree. While I agree it may be a bit blunt, Jesus specifically states that he speaks in parables. Mathew 13 10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied. "The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." While a blunt statement that certain passage about hate is, it is also a test. Are you willing to put your faith above your family for God and Jesus? It's not that you are required to hate your family, but in comparison, it should seem so. "If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." Yes the Bible is the word of God. Also, God is incomprehensible, unimaginable, outside the universe. The bible was written by man, trying to understand the word of God. Humans are flawed. There are going to be some mistakes. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." This is the passage under the most debate. I do not believe your passage was actually in the Bible, but there is much debate about the translation of the word Homosexual Offenders. It is derived from the Greek word "Arsenokoite." This base word is used to prohibit dangerous sexual behavior, so it could very well be that Homosexuality itself is not a sin, so long as they come to the lord Jesus Christ. So, I think the Bible doesn't even have a problem with it. I think that so many people just assume the Bible hates gay people, and they never actually look up the passages and study them. I do not just follow the happy parts of the Bible. For me, I have to follow all of it or none at all. Why? Because if I take away one single part, it would seem like a lie. I don't ant to base my life on a lie, and it could very well be a lie, but I have faith in the Bible, even if others don't. True Christians would listen to every part of the Bible, as every passage has something to teach, for better or for worse. It is a violent book of Peace, but we can use the past to build a better future for all. And do I think it is very Christian that a rapist got away Scot free? Of course not. That isn't true justice, and I'm sure Jesus won;t be happy with the guy. Ah yes, the Evolution scheme. Here is a passage I think helps with this. Psalm 90:4 "A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." A Day to god could be billions of years. He is eternal. A billion years probably would be like a day to him. And I think God did set evolution in motion, because then we have a way to understand how we came to be, other than just be left in the dark and fighting even more about who's creation story is right. Who's to say God just let Evolution take hold on it's own. If he controlled it, he would be contradicting the very thing he made specifically for us. Free Will. We an choose what to do everyday. We can find out how we came here. In that point, I find comfort. True, Noah's ark does seem like a stretch, even for Bible standards, but it's GOD. He can do anything he wants! IF he wills it to flood, so be it! I once stated that God is the creator of the grand game, and he can change the rules if he wants to. He is outside logic, can do things scientifically impossible. Just because I think that it happened doesn't mean we totally reject science. If Religion had no leg to stand on, it would be gone already. No, religion will always find a way to endure, no matter what scientific discoveries we may have, so sorry. You can look at these passages from a cynical point of view, but that's no fun is it? You have to delve deeper, find there true meaning. Everything has a meaning. I have a meaning, you have a meaning. The whole world has a meaning, even if it's nothing. If our purpose was no purpose, that's even better. More free will for us right? I am glad you are not like tat other guy i thinking about Christians as creationist freaks. And I get what you are trying to get across. As more discoveries are made, less people are believing in miracles. That really sucks, because the first step in accomplishing anything that can be classified as a miracle is to believe it can be done. Yeah, you also misunderstood this last passage about the sun. The sun standing still was the miracle. The armies needed the light of day to defeat their enemies, so they prayed that the sun would stand still, giving them more light. That doesn't mean that the Bible say's the sun is still and the earth revolves around it. In fact, quite the opposite. The Bible is just stating that the miracle is that the sun stood still for a say, as good a miracle as any. So, I think you really misinterpreted. I understand where your coming from. Really, I do. To me, choosing religion over what seems to be logic is a tough choice. Devoting your life to something is never easy, and I don't blame you for backing out, but I still don't see why these teachings are immoral and cruel. Sure, they can be blunt and violent sometimes, but the Bible is filled with parables and double meanings, you just have to keep looking. I have struck a fine balance between religion and science, and I find myself happy with it. If your happy with your beliefs, then I cannot try to sway you. One must come to religion on one's own. It's the only way it can work for somebody. Jesus never forced anybody to listen to him, people came because they accepted it, and I do not see how that is immoral. I await your argument.