I cannot think of ONE example in history where God told people (not just one or two but whole populations) that while they were undoubtedly sincere, they had gotten his will tragically wrong and that they should not continue their present course. So I do not look to see any changes in Islam regarding violence, which in any case is only true of a few fanatics and certainly not true of the majority of Muslims in the world. But “Thou shalt not scapegoat” isn’t a commandment in either Testament as far as I know. To read the New Testament one would think that the majority of Jews had nothing better to do than hound Christians from town to town. If Jesus truly died for our sins, did He know or even care that many of His people would die for His death?

We do not consider ourselves as unworthy sinners – sinners who hate themselves and consequently when told to “love thy neighbor as thyself” actually do. Is it any wonder that some of us reject fantasy for reality?

We are not out to cherry pick the bible. Those “fruits” are poison. We totally reject the bible as a source of anything of value to a reality based life.

Updating the “word of god” is an admission that the god of the bible is far from perfect. You may want to check out Matthew 5:17-18, which contradicts your old-new argument.

Just trying to understand your post. Are you pointing out a disproportionate use of Old Covenant pictures of god as an argument against theism? Or are you saying that atheists feel they have to start with the Old Covenant god in order to condemn the Inquisition, slavery, fundamentalism and Islam?

Not really sure what you were trying to say.

A few months ago while on a plane a fellow passenger said to me, “Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims”. I said to her, “What about Oklahoma City? That was home-grown.” Right after 9-11 Islam came under much scrutiny and justifiably so. But we totally ignore the dark side of Christianity. Why is that? Because it makes us uncomfortable?

I think we need to start confronting this “dark side” and start asking very pointed questions. Especially to those who defend God’s murderous actions, no matter what Scripture they come from. Ask them, “If God told you to kill me, would you obey that command?” It is very interesting how few will come right out and say Yes. But they won’t say No, either. They hem and haw and squirm around that point, saying that was Old Covenant and God doesn’t act that way any more.

The bottom line is trust. Can I, as a nonbeliever, trust you, as a believer? I’m afraid, sadly, that the answer is “no.” Because I do not trust your God who has amply demonstrated that he has no qualms ordering his followers to kill for him. It does not matter how many centuries ago this happened. If you follow such a God, and you put obedience to him above any other consideration, you are not to be trusted. Period.