Ahhh, but I am, and your distortion of what the Bible teaches will not change that.
I will not address each of your false contentions since that would obviously take too much time. However, homosexuality was never condoned; genocide was never condoned; incest was forbidden by the Law of Moses; the selling of children spoken of in the OT was for human sacrifice which was condemned, and other examples of selling of children was by poor parents who would do so so the child could get a better upbringing; rape was punishable by death; kidnapping? Where is there an example of that in the OT that is accepted, and not punished?
http://www.godwords.org/posts.php?id=31
Women have always outnumbered men. It is genetically programed just as it is for them to live longer. Having said that, I have questions regarding polygamy. It is obvious that it is tolerated, not approved of though, in the OT, however, Christ only spoke of one man, and one woman. This is one of those topics I leave to the individual, and his faith.
Now you have gone into the realm of accusing Christians with the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church; the inquizitions; and certain of the "Puritan" sects, not the Bible itself. Obviously there are examples of demon possession in the Bible, however, the "cures" for such are not as you mention. The "Mark of Cain", left handedness, souless women, are never mentioned in the Bible. As to Numbers 5, I have no explanation for that particular practice save to say I would think it stopped a lot of men from falsely accusing their wives.
Actually, the debate over the Bible, and its contents, was the Council of Carthage. The Council of Nicea was brought forth to condemn Araianism which was a heresy taught by Arius in the No. African churches, created a war between the Orthodox Church, and the Roman Church, and was eventually ended.
Now, while I may have said it is easier for me to believe in the existence of God rather then deny His existence, I NEVER said I believe what was easy to believe. I guess that was just another of your "honest" comments.
As to the contents of the Bible, Church historians such as Eusebius, spent years gathering copies of the writings of Church patriarchs such as Ignatius, Papias, Tatian, Justin Martyr, Polycarp, etc., to determine which books were truely written by the Apostles, or others, and which were heresies, frauds, etc. Remember, this was after the scourge of Diocletian, and the burning of any original manuscripts, or copies, that could be found.
Anyway, hope that helps you
