It's difficult already for me to know where to start in response, because although I am included with the group of people you are seeking to address, you are ascribing beliefs to me, which I do not possess. To engage in this thread, do I have to defend what you label Christian, and what other self-identifying Christians (so-called Christians), profess to believe?
If you just stick to the doctrine of Christ, and some scriptural passages, a lot of what you have laid out, is easily debunked, as a critique of an inaccurate-caricature, and even though some people might believe in that caricature; for you to smear that description wide so as to envelop the label "Christian", is for me, the same as thinking that all Atheists have that smug teenage 'Christian-youth' holier-than-thou temperament, because they belong to the "in" crowd, before testing their beliefs with any humble discussion (a.k.a rigor); through the pursuit of thoughtful argument (thoughtful argument being the antithesis of a conceited one).
The language of the new testament, is directly true, the nature of truth though, is not based on "factual" truth (whatever the hell that even means, perhaps you would actually bother surveying the epistemological credentials of the Scientific world-view, and the abject poverty entailed with that philosophy, before coming down from your mystical ivory tower that you seem to be making your suggestions [to "Christians"] from).
I won't get into any of the smaller controversies which you list as indictments, although I would be able to pick some apart quite convincingly, just off the top of my head: so much as to focus on the core argument of your post, and how misguided it's criticism... Christianity was never about creating a culture of factual gainsaying, it is about quite a lot more: its about securing a culture of direct communication between people, one that doesn't disperse and degrade epistemological content, a process which cannot be formulated into worldly prescriptions (hence the reliance on "spiritual" language, that allows one to uncover the source of a psychological and epistemological interface; involving important doctrinal concepts like: the "discerning" spirit, the "quickening" spirit, and the spirit "of truth".) In short, I find it interesting how much your initial post just misses the boat entirely (although, I guess its designed to agitate those bible thumping protestants, or literal-believing creationists etc.) when one considers that the core of the Christian faith, is quite simply espoused by John in such a way that obviates your criticism entirely, because the focus is not about 'who is right', its about, 'how do we communicate effectively, on a field of truth we can be convinced about, and not simply a platform of conceited group-think'.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
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A further example of the deep epistemic system involved in the doctrine:
1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record,
that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1Jn 5:20 And
we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life.
The message, and even the name of Jesus Christ, is in a very different position to thoughts about temporal concerns (which is also, and conversely: one of the presumptions about the underpinnings of base-reality in the Scientific paradigm).
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Joh 5:41 I receive not honour from men.
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Here is some additional resources for your general edification:
Catherine Z. Elgin – Nature’s Handmaiden, Art | London Aesthetics Forum, at the Institute of Philosophy | Podcast Chart
Noam Chomsky - "The machine, the ghost, and the limits of understanding" - YouTube
