Yes, yes, it's all very interesting, isn't it? I have been well aware of all the inconsistencies and strange things you draw attention to, but I don't regard them as very important.

What I regard as vitally important are the great philosophical questions about life, about right and wrong, about wisdom and ignorance, about weakness and strength, about virtue and lack of virtue...questions that are raised in Christianity, as well as in Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, and every other religion or ancient philosophy out there. That's what's interesting. That's what matters...not whether or not someone had a "virgin birth" or turned water into wine.

Did it never occur to you that something like the symbol of a dove descending from heaven could refer to an event in consciousness, rather than a physical event? Or that legends can be symbolic? That a parable can be metaphorical?

Or is it all just literal for you? If so, forget it. You cannot be a literalist and come up with anything rational for most ancient spiritual writings. You can either believe them literally...and become a fanatic fundamentalist...or not...and call yourself an "atheist". Either way, you're missing the boat, in my opinion.

I do not call myself a "Christian". I call myself a human being. As a human being, I'm interested in all great changes in human philosopy over the past few centuries. Christianity offers much insight into the development of human philosopy, and for that reason is very much worth studying...and DOES contain much that is of value.

You don't need to even believe in a "God" to see that.