lol! Honestly, I think your information about crime and religion being correlated has too many variables and is yet to be determined. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and say that it's probable, but I don't know if it's 100% correct. That's all I will say about the issue. Thanks.

Hmm... crime and religion are somehow correlated? I think that's yet to be determined, but who knows. Anyway, you do you. Thanks for your time.

You are welcome to your opinions and secular mindset. However, I think it's a terrible travesty that people are shunning Jesus Christ in exchange for plastic, materialism, and hedonism. Unfortunately, there will be more crime, since everything is permissible under the sun when people don't submit to God. In the coming decades, you will see that the Secularization Theory is failing and isn't working out as atheists have predicted. We both have said our fill and I am done here. Please have a nice day and stay safe.

Despite some of the things you may say, I still find the Bible to be as relevant and timely as ever before. I can see that this conversation is going no where but appreciate your time and honesty. For the record, I don't condone slavery and believe everyone should be treated equal. I am proud of my Christian heritage and know that in the end times, I will be hated and mocked. But that is fine too. Secularism to me is the shunning of morals in exchange for ethics, which are loosely based on Christ-based principles but with the denial of His Name and divinity. But that's another debate for another day. No hard feelings.

I simply don't understand why Christianity is regarded nowadays as a vile and outdated religion? It has paved the way for nonprofit organizations, medicine, schools, loving our neighbors and enemies, and instilling peace and compassion. Is that so wrong? It has promoted things that were ahead of its time (including the equality between man and woman, Hebrew and Gentile) and is still used in businesses and organizations today. The corporate social responsibility model and corporate stewardship are loosely based on helping our fellow man. For the sake of etiquette, I bid you a good day. Merry Christmas. Maybe one day you will ponder its meaning and what it really means. Thanks.

>Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves" "You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life

Here's the thing... Slavery was a common practice long before the Mosaic Law was established. Therefore, the Law never instituted slavery nor ended it; rather it regulated it. In other words, in Leviticus, it merely mandated the proper treatment of slaves. Summary: Hebrews could sell themselves into slavery for six years as a form of indentured slavery as I mentioned before. Slaves were treated well and could be set free on the 7th year.

Hebrews could also take Gentile slaves whenever they conquered the lands. In the non-Christian lands that had slaves, they treated them cruelly. However, the Law gave slaves basic rights and allowed them to marry, etc.

I appreciate your comments and believe we both made some good points. Only a fool would argue with an atheist, since they are stubborn and cannot face the proposition that a higher Being created this beautiful universe. I believe all people are created equal and think we should strive to be more compassionate and loving to everyone in the coming year. Have a good day.

Thanks for commenting. Without God, everything becomes permissible and sin flourishes. Like Alistair Crowley once said, "Do as thou wilt." God doesn't want us to be robots, which is why we have freewill. But I believe we were designed for a higher purpose.

(1) I'm sorry but the Inquisition, the Crusades, and the Salem Witch Trial's deaths pale in comparison to the atheistic ideologies and the systemic murders of 150 million people in the 20th century alone.

(2) Hitler and his people were not Christians. On the contrary, Hitler despised Christianity and viewed it as meek and feeble.

(3) No where that I can recount does the Bible ever condone slavery. There is a passage in the NT where God tells one of the Apostles to free his slave. Moreover, slavery in the Bible times isn't the same as modern slavery. It was a debt slavery where the individual had the right to work for their debt and become free after it was paid.

(4) I hope you have a Happy New Year too. You are free to your opinions and I am not judging you. I hope you stay safe and have peace.

I appreciate your comment. Sadly, the status quo now views the Bible as to be abhorrent and detestable these days. What was right is now wrong and what is wrong is now right. Despite Christianity's dark past, atheism has staticially killed millions upon millions more than religion has ever done. But you have the right to your opinion. I pray that you find your eternal destination and will always find peace and happiness. Happy new year.

Lol! Yeah, you're right. It IS the Christmas Season now.

Yeah, it really caught me off guard, lol. It's sad that the status quo holds little regard for such a Holy Book that has spanned millennia. Appreciate your comment all the same. Yeah, I'm pretty triggered right now by the OP.

Lol. Well, it's almost the Christmas Season and seemed ill-mannered and disrespectful for the OP to categorize the Bible among works of fiction. People died and lost their lives to have the Holy Book compiled. Thanks.

The Bible is not fiction. Why would you assume or merely incorporate the Bible into the same category as "other examples of fiction that have inspired great music?" Good post, but it seems rather broad.