[scottinalaska]

Heidi,

The God of the Bible didn't say sacrifice your kids on an altar. yes, Isaac was "almost" sacrificed as an example, but I find it impossible that God said, "toss your children in the fire to sacrifice for Me." It's not written there. THus, do not lump animals and children in the same indicting sentence.
Just like saying did you hear about the mother who said "God told me to stone my boys...", I could say, did you hear about the scientist that said, "The message in the petri dish told me to mail anthrax to Bush."
Neither statement disqualifies the body of thought behind them. You can still believe in science and you can still(if you desire) believe in the Bible. Making statements as that are very low level arguments, despite the attracting colorfulness of such a story!
True, many authors - about 40, all writing about the same thing. Pretty incredible. I don't believe you'll find a more consistent compilation of writing over so many years on earth. Now that doesn't necessarily justify faith in the folks who said, "God told me to bring these ten commandments from the mountain down you people!" But it does add to the credibility over other books that were written in MUCH shorter timespans that should NOT so blatantly contradict.
Would I believe the Koran? Unfair question. I never thought I would question government, but alas, I do today. Perhaps I would have had upbringing that would cause me to think more critically and I'd toss it. But perhaps I'd long for ANYthing "manly" and the Koran calls men to do "manly" things like kill and triumph. That in and of itself attracts MORE men to that religion that other religions. So maybe I'd embrace it on a psych level and not reason level.
On a nano scale, everything in our world does appear to vibrate similarly. Very cool. I love it. Same creator leaving his fingerprints on creation I guess!
I am glad you keeping your private property private by whatever means necessary. Me too.
scott