Well written as always.

The notion of inerrancy is the cornerstone of the country's current problems, right? Because if every word is literally true, every point of theology must be defended unto death lest the whole edifice crumble.

It seems to me that the more liberal and less uncompromising religion people like you propose would become decentralized. Believers wouldn't be forced to dedicate their lives to particular institutions and voting patterns. Preachers and parties would lose power.

I'm all for that, but fighting it is an all-too-human reaction by men who claim to live for God.

I'm not a person of faith and, with all apologies to billions of believers everywhere, find organized religion laughable on its face. I'm not looking for an explanation of the universe, or a way to think "everything happens for a reason," or for someone/thing to fall back on. But most people do. It's normal. So if religion is positive, the world is a better place.

Right now, it sucks donkey *****.

Merging conservative Christianity and conservative politics has crippled both, and I think religion has suffered more. Separation of church and state is more important for the church - politics is always a messy, human business with flexible principles. A religion with the morality of a political party has lost its purpose and sold its soul.