Hi David.

Thanks for your detailed, thoughtful and knowledgeable responses. I'll probably sort this out into some brief notes in private responses and perhaps some longer articles. Here are some private notes related to this response of yours.

On the question of the definition of a Christian, I don't remember ever saying that belief in the resurrection was part of an absolute definition. I thought I said that this was an essential ingredient for many Christians, therefore for them it was part of their definition. Perhaps I didn't express myself clearly enough. I think that all people who want to call themselves Christians have the right to come up with their own definition.

It's not that I don't believe in the resurrection; I believe in mystery, the possibility of miracles and the supernatural. It's just that I think that there is a simpler and more credible explanation, namely the allegorical and mythological interpretation. Or at least that this is more relevant to us as individuals in modern times. The fact that this is contained within the Gospels and the Jesus story is enough for me to consider myself some form of Christian. If you want me to put this into words, then I would say something along the lines that I am someone who is inspired by, and has found meaning in, the Jesus/Christ phenomenon.

I agree with you absolutely that what we believe affects the way we live our lives. I live according to my beliefs, as you do yours. I expect that our lives look somewhat different, however, but that's ok.

Gerald Baron has also referenced the early martyrs as evidence for belief in Christianity. This is indeed a difficult one for doubters, and I have no easy answer. They obviously strongly believed in something. However, can you be sure that what they believed was that they would be resurrected? I understand that your rational analysis leads to that conclusion, but is there any textual evidence that this is what they actually believed? I'm sure you would know better than I would.