re: What do people get out of going to church on Easter once a year?

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Why is the bible evidence any moreso than the Quran? Or the book of Mormon? Or the Vedas?

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Personally, I believe the content of the Bible is more consistent than the rest, but in a generic sense, any religious text that claims to be an authority is evidence of one kind or another. But as I keep saying, evidence has to be interpreted, so we have to look at those evidences individually and attempt to determine their merit and their strength and then interpret them in light of what is and is not true.

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The bible is evidence of god in the same way Lord of the Rings is evidence of middle earth. Without outside support, the bible means nothing.

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Not the same thing at all. We know who the author of the Lord of the Rings was and he didn't claim to be divine or a religious authority of any kind (like a god or prophet or something like that), and he certainly didn't claim that Middlee Earth was real or that his stories were anything other than fanciful entertainment. The intent of the author is just as important as the text itself. You can't separate the two.

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I despise ignorance, I believe it devalues human existence and accomplishment to so willingly ignore the knowledge so many have worked so hard to attain.

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Ignorance is not something that can be escaped, though. Ignorance is just a lack of knowledge, and since it is impossible for humans to know all things, all humans are destined to be ignorant to one degree or another. If you truly despise it so much, it must be difficult to live with yourself, knowing that you don't know all things.

I find it interesting that you believe that ignorance devalues human existence. In an evolutionary worldview, there is no fundamental value of life or existence. We are merely a happy accident that came about through millions and billions of years of changes in nature. In fact, value has no meaning outside of our own minds in that worldview; there is no objective reason to value anything, including humanity or our existence.

For you or anyone else to then assign value to humanity is a personal choice, but not something that should be forced upon others because, there is no objective and transcendent standard that applies to all people at all times. If I shared your worldview, I could easily say to your assessment of value, "Who cares? I don't place the same value on humanity as you do and I don't know where you get your idea for it, anyway." My lack of value and your vale of humanity would both be "correct" in the sense that we could have our own views without an objective standard to tell either of us which way is right or wrong.

So in that sense, I don't think you have an objective basis for your frustration about ignorance. While I can claim an appeal to a higher authority, you cannot. Your authority is yourself, and in your worldview, my authority would be myself, and both are equal, so I can reject yours at will. If my authority (God) is an actual authority (I believe He is), then you are subject to Him, not me or yourself, and He will judge you in time if you don't submit to Him as Lord.

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The idea of someone arrogantly going through life ignoring all logic, evidence and reason while simultaneously trying to change how others live using an unsupportable claim, and being allowed to just slip away blissfully ignorant without ever having to acknowledge reality just rubs it wrong. I know it probably shouldnt, but it does. Mankind has worked so hard to overcome ignorance and people like you just spit on those who worked towards that goal.

And Im not referring to all christians when I say that. Im referring to those who go through life perpetuating demonstrably false claims. The catholic church, for all its faults, accepts evolution, the big bang and admits much of the OT is allegory. They dont insist the flood or the creation account happened as the bible describes. They dont try and prove the bible with the bible but rather tradition, which makes slightly more sense. They are on the right track.

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Why is it arrogant for me to believe one thing as truth (that you disagree with) but it's not arrogant for you to believe something else (that I disagree with)? You claim all your knowledge from the superiority of the human race while I look to an omniscient and omnipresent God for mine (about religious truth, at least). Is it arrogant to believe that the Bible is a first-hand account that reveals truth? Arrogance implies some sort of self-worth or importance. Believing I know the truth for the sake of the truth is not arrogance; believing I know the truth because I am the authority on all things is arrogance, IMO. Trusting in myself is arrogance; trusting in God is humility.

And I take exception that someone like me is ignoring "all logic, evidence and reason". I don't reject all logic, evidence, and reason at all. In fact, I'm quite logical and reasonable. Where we differ is on the interpretation of the evidence, but that doesn't mean I'm somehow stupid, ignorant (in the ad hominem sort of way), or crazy. What I believe is not illogical or unreasonable. In fact, my worldview (based on the Bible) makes perfect sense of the logical world around me, and I'm not spitting on anything by saying that, unless it is the arrogance of mankind as a whole who thinks we decide all truth.

And you can praise the Roman Catholic church if you'd like but the examples you gave are about ignoring or throwing out entire (important) sections of the Bible. Of course you'll agree with that, because, to you, the ultimate source of truth is the wisdom and understanding of mankind, regardless of how finite it is and how little we actually know for certain. Basically you are saying that you can accept anything that agrees with your view of truth. I get that, and I feel the same way. But, apparently, what is a virtue for you is a vice for me. It's all about perspective, I guess.

I think at this point its best to agree to disagree. I really dont know what else to say other than I genuinely hope you at least try and attain the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision. I can honestly say, from years as a christian, I thoroughly understand both sides of the argument and now believe accordingly. Im well versed on scripture and theology and have seen all the stock arguments, so I dont merely lack belief for a lack of effort or knowledge.

Your entire premise is rooted in the fact that you take the bible at its word, and if you arent willing to listen to the fact against the bible then I cant possibly convince you of anything,