dhw: I have made it clear that I do not regard the fallible human authors, selectors, translators and interpreters of the Bible as authorities, and you have referred me to a text that says: "every man who wishes to be saved must become [...] a judge of the books written to try us" (try apparently means test) and "the spurious is mixed up with the genuine." So you are now telling me what I was telling you: the books are not to be trusted..... If this life is all there is, I shall die grateful for having had it. If there is more to come, I hope it'll be as enjoyable for everybody (every soul?) as this one has been for me. > > Let me reciprocate. Enjoy every moment of this life, while always doing as you would be done by. Is that not enough for you?-Let me add, I have enjoyed my life to the fullest. It has been a privilege to have lived over four score years. I have found God, not the God of religions, but the God revealed by my own reason. This is much more fulfilling, because I have my own personal relationship rather than being told how I should believe. No religion knows the truth. It is all taken on faith, built on writings by other humans who know no more than I do. Each religion's truth differs. Jewish, Christian, Muslim all have different versions of God. Buddhism and other Eastern religions have a different approach. We are all part of God. He must be amused at this flailing about in trying to relate to him. I feel all religions are correct for their believers. God doesn't care if they differ, for no religion is better than any other. You don't need to follow a crowd for belief. And finally, don't ever attempt to impose your belief on others. Limit your self to explaining your belief. Anything else is insulting to intelligent folks.