In addressing more of this line of belief, several things should be noted. Firstly, millions do not "claim" anything. They "believe" something. They "take something to heart," "study," and "proselytize" things about their faith, they do not claim. There needs to be a hang up on nuances with words, here. Secondly, you show my point about taking all, parts, or even verses exclusively to be the focal point of your faith. Look at Jehovah’s Witnesses, considered by many to not even fit into the "Christian" category. Not only do they take a handful of versus to not only be their focal point of their belief structure, but their entire belief system. On top of this, from this handful of versus, they believe there is only room for a handful of people in Heaven, and it makes it more likely to secure a place by....wait for it...evangelizing. Now that would scare me to no end.

But I'm not A JW. I believe we are saved by grace. We are all undeserving of love, saving, and grace- specifically by God. And yet we are. Go out to tell the Good News is one of the chief responsibilities of a Christian, but nowhere will my faith say that my chances to get to Heaven raises in an exponential manner based on the people I have told that Good News to.

I firmly disagree that Christ was ever quick to point out damnation or "threats of hell." Christ pointed the way to get to Heaven, and went into detail on why it would be harder for some than it would be for others (e.g., the rich will have a harder time letting go of material things, etc.) He wasn't a "moral perfectionist," he was perfectly moral, and was nothing but quick to forgive people, especially those who betrayed him.

Getting into arguments over faith with atheists is as much of a formal fallacy for them as it is with you. Proving the existence of something without evidence, and saying something doesn't exist without proof are both flawed.

Simply put, your views of the Christian God are flawed and you short-change yourself with such a strict and reduced relationship with God. He is much more than damning, angry, and ever-unsatisfied with how you are carrying out His will. The effects of religion and spirituality ARE empirically measured and studied. Look into Division 36 of the APA. Their publications are great. The effect of belief and having a positive relaitonship with God is also a pragmatic one. People who profess a faith live longer, lead better lives, less likely to lead risky behavior-lead lives, recover faster from hardship and sickness, and simply have an overall sense of well-being higher than that of their atheist counter-parts.

I know you "find it difficult to understand how others read the Bible and get something so entirely different [than you] out of it." THAT is the question to be answered for you: Why on earth would ANYONE follow a vengful and angry God, especially if fear was the only reason? The Christian Church- or any other for that matter- would have died out eons ago if this was the case, and no amount of damning imagery would stop it from happening. Don't they get anything positive out of it? Anything uplifting or redeeming? The answer is an obvious and resounding "Yes."