In the Paleolithic period when agriculture first developed
the fertility of the land was imaged
in the pregnant goddess statues
found all over Europe/the Middle East/India.
Modern science believes all religious claims
whether ancient/modern/literal/mystical
are a holdover from humanity’s childhood
like Santa Claus – science denies them all
as there is no empirical evidence for any of them.
However, religion is not focused on evidence
but on self-transformation – crossing the threshold
of any temple/church is meant to be self-annihilation
a reminder to let go of the small self/ego.
This is why entrances to the sacred are commonly guarded
by angels/saints/gargoyles/dragons/lions/bulls –
entering you undergo metamorphosis/
leave your secular/unholy self behind/
and discover the World’s Womb/Navel/Earthly Paradise.
The call to grandeur/union with God
and to the depths of misery/separation from God
are both integral parts of human experience
that only receive their ultimate explanation
in God’s revelation.
Christian love calls you to transcend your selfishness
to commit your self to the good of others
enabling them to realize their full potential.
But, contemporary psychology tells us that to love others
you must first love your self.
But true self-love involves loving your self
the way God loves you.
But none of us is capable of loving the way God loves –
you have to let God do it.
True self-love therefore involves letting God love you
the way only God can love you.
Then you can love your self and you can love others
the way only God can love them.
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 
Great comedy – I love the touch where you call this folderol “intelligent.” As you say, if religion has no evidence for it, then it is precisely like a two-year old’s fantasies about Santa Claus.
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Thanks for your thoughts.
If you send me your email I will send you my article just published on the limits of facts, evidence, science, and reason. You can email me at brucetallman333@gmail.com
Bruce
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Thank you kindly for the offer – I don’t have the slightest use for Christian apologetics, so I’m going to decline the offer. There’s limits to science and reason, but I’m well aware of them.
As for Christianity, its followers and adherents should, to my mind, be encouraged to move to their alleged Holy Land and live the life of their putative guru. There should be plenty of room then for secular immigrants to this country, though your religion is trending below a numerical majority – a win-win for both sides? Have a great secular day.
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I’ll take that article, bruce. velkyn@comcast.net. It will make useful fodder for my blog.
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I have no need for the “love” of a god that supposedly commited and commanded genocide, killed children repeatedly for the actions of others, and who demands that slaves never seek their freedom.
Love has nothing to do with a being that demands obedience and if you don’t give it, will torture you forever. That’s the actions of an abuser and a bully.
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