benhilton, //The positive message is that forgiveness and love triumphs over revenge and hate ….//
…. the result of which for the believer is the promise of eternal life. Am I wrong? For many an atheist the same message is apposite, the only difference being that genuine altruism, genuine love, and genuine forgiveness don’t depend upon personal reward. A bit like Ginger Rogers who, although not reaping the accolades, did exactly the same as Fred Astaire, only backwards and in high heels. Who is gullible?
methyl, // the underlying high moral content [of the bible]//
I would venture to suggest that you have never read the bits of the bible the church doesn’t teach. If you had you wouldn't say that.