Don't get me wrong, I certainly find value and purpose in scripture. I was a devout Christian until my teenage years which were really formative for me. In some ways I've passed the point of no return, but in others I actually believe certain things more strongly than I had as a regular church-goer.

I subscribe to Jordan Peterson's approach to the Bible nowadays (which is far closer than I was as an angry atheist). Its a balance of transcendent principles and secular thinking that mixes well for me. I'm at the point where I'm agnostic in the sense that, while I cant bring myself to interpret the Bible literally, I'm no so ignorant to the miracle that is existence that I can claim that we're simply an anomaly who don't matter.

It's been a weird journey for sure. That said, I've always appreciated the openness that you and others offer whenever I've mentioned it. I miss the security and comfort of believing, but I really can't see a way I come "fully" back without lying to myself.

My hope is that if I can utilize scripture as a philosophy that successfully propelled humanity to where it is today, strip out the superstition, but live by the principles as well as I can, that maybe I'd be shown mercy if my non-literal interpretation turns out to be correct.