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By the way, one thing I like about The End of Biblical Studies is the well researched information about the many Bible companies, university classes on the Bible, and the tons of Christian churches promoting Bibles that keep the cycle of studying ancient Scriptures going to the exlusion of other writings. I think it's good to read a book before we criticize or discard it. During my post-Way journey, I learned I could actually live a good, ethical, and valualbe life without reading or staying hooked on the Bible. That's just me. I realized VPW had brainwashed me into thinking I could not live without "The Bible," (that term is meaningless because there are so many kinds of versions of Bibles there isn't just one Bible). I found I had been addicted to having a Bible be the centerpiece of my life. I let myself consider the fact that there were millions of good people over centuries and centuries who lived loving and productive lives before there were ever any Bibles in existence. This is not to say there aren't many good and valuable lessons found in Bibles. For myself, I just had to acknowledge what these Bibles were before I attached value to them. Finally, I stepped back and saw that Bibles are anthologies of ancient writings by men, arranged in a certain order, which can vary. So, too, does content of Bibles vary. I asked myself whether they were helpful for me today? In what way are they useful to modern man? Just for the record, here's where I'm "at" these days: Charlene’s Post-Cult Nonreligious Alternative | Charlene L. Edge (charleneedge.com)

And I'll happily go swimming in the lake of fire....

If you try hard enough you can MAKE it fit. I can appreciate various genres of music, but I separate my appreciation from my preference, though sometimes they are aligned. Some of my favorite music could not be considered great. Jerry Garcia was NOT a great vocalist, the quality of the band's performances were inconsistent, often abysmal, and it could be argued that they never really improved, though they had decades to do so. But I love the Grateful Dead's music, nonetheless. Classical music and Jazz played a big part in the soundtrack of my youth, because that's what my dad liked and it was ALWAYS playing in the house. To compare the music of AOS with great classical composers, to call it one the greatest compositions of the 20th century, strikes me as an opinion from someone who has never listened to great music nor tried to understand what makes great music. As the logical errors literally leap off the pages of PFAL and the collaterals, so do the pretentious affectations of AOS. It is cringe. It's not for me.

Love that quote from Alan Watts. His work has meant a lot to me over the years.

Nor am I either interested in impressing Professor Avalos or demanding or even recommending anyone choose sides. I don't necessarily view it as an either or proposition. OTOH, as it says somewhere in II Corinthians, only God knows what's in the heart of another human.

Circular reasoning.

OTOH, your reflection on your impressions, experience, and your friend's impressions say a lot. Thanks for saying it.