What I believe

I acknowledge that science doesn't have all the answers. However every day it discovers, rigorously tests, and deploys new ideas into our world – that's science by its very nature. And there are currently things written in the bible that are vastly different than what science has answered correctly, and with proof, since the bible was written. In fact, it seems the more time passes and technology improves, and the more people unearth treasures buried in the literal sands of time, our findings contradict more and more what the bible teaches about the nature of the world, life on earth, and universe – not the other way around. The trend seems to show more each year that the bible is mythological literature, a series of writings by a very superstitious people trying to explain the world around them, writing laws to govern their actions based on their current culture, without any true knowledge of how the earth and universe works or was created. It's a beautiful piece of literature filled with great philosophies and lessons that we can all learn from, but it's also brimming with a dark and barbaric past that seems to get overlooked quite a bit (or justified and theologized into some laughable sense of sound moral behavior).

I also think the bible is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, some parts having real people and real places documenting real events, just with quite a bit of superstitious material added in. Other parts I believe contain completely fantasized characters in made-up environments, though done quite beautifully.

I also believe that the faith and religion it teaches is an amalgamation and adaptation of other ancient religions that already existed in the region. I think this gradual evolution of the faith happened even as the bible was being written, as the Hebrews made their way around Mesopotamia and mingled with so many cultures. I also believe that modern day Christians still evolve the faith of the bible to fit their own needs on a personal and daily basis, to suit their current and subtle belief changes as their life unfolds for them – many of these beliefs directly contradicting specific instructions in the bible. And many Christians acknowledge these personal interpretations as contradictory from the bible, yet seem to selectively theologize their way into putting their beliefs in the right, rather than doing what they've been specifically instructed to.

The bible has too many contradictions, errors, inaccurate statements and beliefs, and a history wrought with edits and revisions made by anyone from scribes to kings, either on accident or with the intent to uphold a theological or political agenda.

It is for these reasons that I cannot accept the bible as truth. I must say I'm rather disappointed. I genuinely began this deliberate search almost two years ago hoping to find a reason for faith, but the more questions I asked and research I did, and when I actually read the freakin' book, the more I found reasons to reject it.

Regarding the character of Jesus, I have decided that I don't believe in Jesus for many of the same reasons I don't believe in Santa Claus:

They support a very nice and pleasant idea that brings hope and happiness to millions, but the supernatural nature of their stories makes it seem more like archaic legend than fact.

They're probably based loosely on a real historical person, but at this point the character, their claims, and their abilities have been so far exaggerated that they don't even resemble the original.

They're both very useful in getting people to do good and right things in the name of a special reward, and to avoid a punishment.

There is no physical evidence of their existence other than documents which were written through heresay, and that were changed and edited an uncountable number of times for personal agendas or to further embellish the story.

I'm still not sure why every educated adult acknowledges the fantasy nature of the legend of Santa Claus, and anyone who were to truly believe it as fact would be thought the acme of foolishness. But those same adults are adamant about accepting the legends, mythology, and superstitions of Jesus as fact.

I will say that many of the teachings of Jesus are very relevant to good human relationships. Some are downright stinging in their cleverness and poignancy. But it also proves that regular humans can be just as clever and witty in their philosophies, since many of the most famous teachings, actions, and words of Jesus were actually written by humans and inserted into the bible centuries after these "eyewitness accounts" were written.

So for anyone who lives their life around the teachings of the Bible and God and Jesus, I can support your decisions and your beliefs, because who am I to tell someone what they can or can't believe. But I can no longer attempt to participate in them or believe them myself. This being said, I do not consider myself an atheist, because I think there is also not sufficient evidence to prove the absence of any kind of higher/god-like life forms in our universe. Plus I have experienced things myself and have heard stories from people I know and trust that indicate there may be a level of existence that goes beyond our physical world. But using the bible to accurately describe this spiritual world has proven unacceptable to me. And the bible doesn't seem to be learning anything new anytime soon. I do believe that science will continue to discover new things that may lead us to a religious-like understanding of our world. After all, "magic is merely science unexplained."