MCKNIGHT...I had often asked myself much of the same questions that have made you very angry...I do know that when I realized that the word RELIGION covers every faith-based denomination in the world, including satanism,the search was on!  So, with that out of the way, I'd like to tell you something I learned about that.  When I began to read the Bible, and came to the the book of Proverbs,3:5, it says (NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight" , that was to me a confirmation of what I felt in my heart. The first part of that verse is what spoke the loudest to me...that means if you listen to someone else tell you anything about anything, you better know if what they are saying is true or not, and I'd better find out for myself by studying what it means from more than one point of view.  Do I believe what they all say, no not by any means.  The Bible was origionally written in the Greek and Hebrew languages, with an influence of several others and the words are translated into the closest meaning. I do not lean to my own understanding, but know that the word of God had to be right when the books were written, or he put them to death.  That means, tell the truth. There are many that twist the word of God, and try to live by the laws of the Old Testament, which we cannot possibly do, and their own personal need for recognition, has led them to do this. but just to believe, with out knowing what is that persons own thought on the issue,  NO WAY, but for us to remember the ways of old and " teach them in the way they should go and they will not depart from it"...the basic right and wrong of the inate knowledge of what you were given at the time you were created. Satan, the greatest deceiver of all time, has been at his schemes from the day he was kicked out of heaven.  There is one faith that says that satan is Jesus brother,NOT TRUE, and this isn't even in the King James Bible, which is the closest translation to the Greek and Hebrew we can get. Yes it's a little hard to read, but the Living Bible, or the New International Version are great as well.  I'm a member at Woodland Baptist Church, and you can ask my pastor anything you like.wdbc1@sbcglobal.net. or perhaps I can steer you to some research material that will lead you to a deeper understanding of what you seek.Please don't think all Christians are red-necks, there is a greater issue here than hatred,ignorance and stupidity it will only become worse as time passes.