Wade-
Your faith is just that, yours. Feel free to keep it any way you want but leave me out of it. I live in a world where faith has gotten a lot of people absolutely bupkiss.
That is the beauty of the constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Here's another word for you: indoctrination. You were born, I'm assuming, of Christian parents who taught you at a young age to believe and respect their religious views. Deny all you want but that is the basis of your religious beliefs and nothing more. Indoctrination. I was brought up Catholic and chose to want more than faith. That is my choice.
Throughout history there have been more than 3,000 gods and goddesses worshipped all around the world. The arrogance and hubris that goes with thinking that the god your parents raised you to believe in is the one true god is laughable at best. What happens if you're born in India? Egypt? Israel? China? America before Europe found it? But the one you believe in is the true god?
Don't get me wrong, the bible has many important and helpful things to say and teach. But in my mind is not the word of any one god but the amalgamation of centuries of human experiences and accumulated knowledge.
My beef is that throughout recent history, different sects and religions have been standing in the way of true progress. Not only in truly backwards and extreme nations but right here at home.
Time to move on.