Any thoughts? Well born in Scotland, a son of the manse, I grew up in a Christian parish, county, Country and indeed World. The missionaries we were sending were empowered before departure to be helping these pagans accept Christ in return for an excellent education.
Then two Christian communities in the UK went to war against each other. I took it as an increasingly obvious sign that there was no God. Perhaps the true legacy of those 'Christians' that took part in the euphemism that they now call the 'Troubles' is that over time most of us abandonded any kind of institutional/self-serving bureaucracy relationship with the nebulous thing we, in times of desperate need, still pray to.
I am now an unbeliever. I know now, thanks to my Irish friends that there is no point in believing in anything whatsoever. Well done you psychopathic ***.
As an individual I still try to believe that the teachings of Christ are a good way to live my life. I don't believe in God anymore- I mean-look at what has happened throughout history especially for me, here in the UK, in Northern Ireland.
Jesus is 'almost' a historical figure. What I take from it, after millions have died in His name is that it's probably a good thing to be empathic to others. More than Hitler, Stalin and Mau the conceptual Christ has killed more human beings than anyone else.
Just be nice and try and think about others as well as yourself! No God required!