Religion is good because it gives the believer an objective and absolute standard of morality

[Vivacia]

(This idea was introduced in another thread, but it felt like an unfair tangent for that thread to be taking in my humble opinion, but one I'd be interested in discussing).

Firstly, I absolutely disagree with the statement.

Secondly, I feel as an atheist I have an objective morality, if not an absolute one.

It is unrealistic to expect a document written over 2 thousand years ago to be easy to read and understand today in the UK as culturally our norms are so different.

And an infinitely wise god didn't see this flaw ahead of time?

Would you be shocked if your friend, who you thought was nice, sent a postcard from a foreign country outlining how she had spent the afternoon killing children?

BigD I don't think I have ever had much conversation with you regarding your beliefs or lack of beliefs or what you think about the stuff of life generally. Our conversations usually end up with you asking me questions and me answering them. And you saying my answers are insufficient or more 'colourful' words to the same effect.

^so I have not had much of an opportunity to take much of a stance over what you actually do think or believe (rather than don't), BigD.

Fine, BigD. I like my view of life, in all it's colourful glory though. Supernatural stuff is by it's very definition amazing too.

Aw, BigD surely there is something about you that is worthy of the limelight?

The sort of stuff on this board, is hardly the sort of stuff which means people know who you are, or where you live, BigD. But your prerogative.

I can't help but think it's a bit of a shame BigD. I only get to know you in terms of being an 'interrogator' on threads like these. It would be nice to have a more rounded view of you. But I respect your choice. Hey ho.

then offering an explanation to those of us who do not have quite so much time to study all thew history

So if we rely on these explanations to make a loving god getting other humans to stab babies seem logical then god should have included such an explanation as he went along, knowing as he would, that people who read it at face value in years to come, would be aghast at many of the things he did and said.