1. What makes you think we have reversed natural selection? Other animals care for those that cannot help themselves (i.e., water buffalo, chimpanzees, dolphins–great example of a dolphin saving a soon-to-be beached whale, dogs, cats, etc…) Natural selection is a complicated theory, and examples of its tenets can be seen in modern human history: what we perceive as physically attractive in the opposite sex (nonrandom mating or selective mating), the differences between ethnicities and languages (geographical isolation), etc.

2. Morality cannot be based on the existence of God. If that which God says is “good” is “good” because he said it (perhaps you see the circularity), we still do not know what “good” means. Perhaps God is deceiving us, and his commandments are actually immoral. The common defense is that because God is good, he would not deceive us. How do we know God is good? What does good mean and why does it mean that? The term must be defined independent of God’s existence in order to applied as a quality or power of God. Morality is a system of values derived from a supreme moral principle (which would be our definition of good). It must be a definition from which all other moral values can be derived. What makes it universal? If we are to be able to communicate ‘good’ or act morally, it must be a principle which can be reflected upon by other agents. Reflection is quality of rational beings so morality applies to all rational beings. A ‘higher authority’ is simply an enforcer when it comes to morality–a law giver. If there are no cops, I might speed on the road, but I’m not going to kill someone because I won’t get in trouble. If there is no God, that does not mean that I will kill someone; I am human, and I am a rational, social being that requires friendship and social interaction and therefore an understanding of ‘good’ between members of the social party.
The afterlife is essentially jail or paradise; it is an incentive for those to follow a religion dogmatically.

3. Ah, the ontological argument. Humans developed intelligence because it was beneficial in survival. Intelligence gives humans that ability to reflect on past experiences and predict future experiences. Consequently, when hunters would stalk a mammoth, they know from past experiences what kills the mammoth most efficiently. Past experiences also give insight into what is dangerous and what is not in this situation. We can combine other experiences to develop an ‘abstract idea.’ We know that sticks and rocks can be thrown and sharp objects cut us. The desire for a spear did not mean the spear existed, it was an abstract idea that led to its invention. Abstract ideas have given us the power to manipulate our environment, which proved quite beneficial in survival. There are things, however, that cannot be manipulated such as the weather, illnesses, and death. Given our ability for abstract thinking, we associate past experiences (such as rain) to a correlating event (such as a dance that took place prior to the rain). Seeing that correlation, humans would believe that, for example, it rained because we danced. But, why did the dance produce rain? It is easy to see how humans could imagine a human-like being that controls such events. Moreover, a being that humans could communicate with as if another person. Thus, the human propensity to manipulate is the same propensity that gave rise to the God desire: the chief with whom we can bargain to help us out with events outside of our control.

4. Love is, like abstractions, the perception of ideal bond that combines emotions of desire and joy. (Desire to be with/around someone and the joy of having that desire fulfilled.)

5. How did Hitler fool so many people into exterminating 6 million Jews? How did Mohammed capture so many followers? How do cults begin and persist? Scientology? Jesus was one of several people throughout history (and in his time) to have claimed to be the Messiah. In fact, a guy South America has several hundred thousands followers who believe that he is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The most vulnerable succumb to religion (after 9/11 everyone starts going to Church, prisoners are ‘born-again,’ etc, etc.) and Israel was not a happy place under Rome. Give hope to those who seek it and they will embrace it, and in the case of multiple people claiming to be the messiah, some people are just better at rallying the troops than others (take for example our presidential election, Obama was a bit more mesmerizing than McCain). Then, of course, Christianity (like all religions) are given a political slant and ta-da, a collapsing Roman Empire embraces Christianity because it was a ‘new hope.’

Great job. You have done an excellent job crtiquing Velvet Elvis. Great insight my brother.

You have a keen theological mind and obviously know “the faith once delivered to the saints” well.

As for what Christ wanted, well he clearly wanted many things out of people. But I think most of all He wanted people to listen to Him. My guess is that if the God of the universe is taking the time to come to earth, He was not in the business of wasting time or words.

In my experience, the big problem that faces Christians today is the heavy emphasis (for which I blame Paul) on Christ’s death rather than his life. Christ to me was an important figure because he encouraged people to think for themselves and to practice compassion toward their fellow human beings. Christ the man, in my opinion, was anti-religion, anti-doctrine. He wanted people, I think, to embrace the Divinity in themselves and all around them.

And while you seem to have figured that out (and I applaud you), many today in America have not. Look at the way that Christianity is politicized.