Kevin, my apologies, my e-mail address I have listed on here I rarely have the opportunity to read - so I promise to read your e-mail tonight - thank you for taking the time to respond.
My point about Christianity is that it is the only religion that requires a mediator (Christ) to gain eternal life - we cannot get there on our own. Not good or bad, just a statement on what separates Christianity from other religions.
Twidget, you misunderstood my Lincoln analogy. I used that to illustrate that you cannnot prove Lincoln existed scientifically (empirically) - it is, instead, a historical proof. You can prove that Christ existed in the same manner - however, it is when you speak of him as being God that the argument comes into play. My whole point is that you cannot prove or disprove the existence of God through science as we know it (the scientific method) because it is outside of that realm - you have to prove it in other ways.
About humans being evil - let me rephrase it to say that we are "slaves to sin" - taken from the book of Romans - I think, don't know for sure because I don't have my bible with me - I'll expand later. Like everything, a verse can be used out of context and I don't want to do that...
Maybe those words "inherently evil" are a bit strong - I do not mean to use fire and brimstone. I don't mean to be one of those people that thumps a bible over your head. It is simply my world view that people are greedy and selfish. (Our government is founded on this principle - it is why we have checks and balances and three branches). So, I will refrain from using the phrase, "inherently evil" and replace it with greedy and selfish.
Twidget - I don't know what you were getting at in your first question on would you naturally assume there is a god if no book had been written? But, I would say yes. Look at the world around you - pretty much all of the cultures of the world, including indegenious island dwellers, have some sort of belief structure in a higher or supreme beings or being - whether it be the tree, the rock, the ocean, the sun or Jesus Christ. It is a natural tendency in all humans.
I agree with you completely that it takes faith to believe in God. I believe, though, that you can argue there is a God, or a supreme being, in a logical manner and have it supported by rational and valid reasoning. I believe I can give you every valid reason under the stars and defeat every argument you bring against me - however, in the end, just like atheism, it will take your faith to believe there is or isn't a God.
I know you were probably just throwing the comment in there, but your argument about the Vatican is not a valid point. The Vatican is human, like everyone else - you're argument pretty much stated that since Johnny said you could live forever if you jumped off the bridge, you believe him and are going to do it.
Life is no miracle? I beg to differ. Just look at the human body, the eyes, the senses, our brain - we still do not understand the human brain. Go outside - smell the air after a rain, climb a mountain and look to the horizon, hike through the woods and note the smallest of insects - how cynical are you? I would think it depressing, for someone to be born in this world, told it was by complete chance and an accident that they were there, tell them there is no point to anything - love, or honor, or courage, tell them that their death is as insigificant as their birth, and then have them seak meaning for themselves in their lives. No wonder everyone is so mixed up. Tell your wife or girlfriend they are meaningless - see how far that gets you.
(That last paragraph is my own thoughts - not meant to be an argument since it is emotional in structure.)
