i keep saying I was an atheist for twenty five years from ages 5-25 i never entered a church willingly unless it was for a wedding. I saw everything much as Foinavon and others - a big con job. The greek myths to the alternative choices. My brother would bring up the bible now and then and I'd tell him to FO. In polite terms.
What turned me around was Science. I read Blaise Pascal(the mathematician) in a condensed form, i picked it up for some light toilet reading. He's very scientific on why you should believe. Then I started to read the Bible and it's not like other books. It has an extra dimensional quality. It has a deeply hidden core which cannot be penetrated by cursory reading. It actively tries to hide it's meaning. If you come to the bible with a lazy eye you won't see anything in it. I'm constantly reading it to winkle out the hidden gems. (for one instance - there is a description of gems used in the making of the new jerusalem. Jasper,sapphire,emerald,onyx,carnelian,yellow quartz, beryl,topaz,chalsedony, turcoise and amethyst) why use these ones?

(lifted from wikipedia) - Identification by refractive index
by refractometer

One test to determine the gem's identity is to measure the refraction of light in the gem. Every material has a critical angle, above which point light is reflected back internally. This can be measured and thus used to determine the gem's identity. Typically this is measured using a refractometer, although it is possible to measure it using a microscope.
Identification by specific gravity

Specific gravity, also known as relative density, varies depending upon the chemical composition and crystal structure type. Heavy liquids with a known specific gravity are used to test loose gemstones.

Specific gravity is measured by comparing the weight of the gem in air with the weight of the gem suspended in water.
Identification by spectroscopy

This method uses a similar principle to how a prism works to separate white light into its component colors. A gemological spectroscope is employed to analyze the selective absorption of light in the gem material. Essentially, when light passes from one medium to another, it bends. Blue light bends more than red light. How much the light bends will vary depending on the gem material. Coloring agents or chromophores show bands in the spectroscope and indicate which element is responsible for the gem's color.

Light seems to be a factor in the choices. Scientists believe the universe is actually a digital construction. who constructed it? Let there be light.

If God is all seeing and repsonsobile for everything why would he abolish diseases , he is responsible for them existing ? We cant understand what form God takes so we have to cope with what we have rather than what we feel should be. Faith is absolute,my personal opinion is that everyoen who has claimed to interpret the word of God and given us instructions are charlatans and we have to make our own decisions rather than follow dreamers and eejits.

I have always liked this song from the Eagles 'learn to be still' here are some of the lyrics

We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don't know how to be alone
So we wander 'round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

Now the flowers in your garden
They don't smell so sweet
Maybe you've forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet

'Why on earth would Christians want any discussion on religion, seeing they are on ground as shaky as a Parkinson's sufferer during an earthquake.'

JH, that's an image that will be hard to shift.