Great question. First off, I still believe in God even though I have a few quesitons for him. A few verses by the Apostle Paul (he's not my favorite!) I've heard ad nauseum: Shunning -'not even greeting anyone called a brother' (so harsh), Marry only in the Lord (it wasn't just the lack of brothers it was the lack of good, strong men among them!), Subjection/Headship (I don't need a dad, I'd like a partner!), Head covering (what in hec for?), women can't teach in the congregation (why not?) The issue of Universal Sov. and the permission of human suffering. A God with unlimited power 'permits' a kid to be molested or killed, those poor people who jumped to their death from the World Trade Center and there's no divine intervention for them but the angels will protect a dub out in service? Does that make any sense? The Old (harsh) and New (merciful) Testement has a God with split personality disorder. The entire book of Revelation. If salvation is a life or death issue then why all the symbolism? This beast means that nation. That number really means this. Too much confusion. Just say - In the 21st Century, if you want to survive God's War, you must join this religion to be saved. Why leave so much open to interpretation if you want all to survive? - Victorian Sky