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These are the kinds of conversations that will go on and on until it just wears out somebody or gets somebody mad.  Truth is the bible has much wisdom and much political and silly stuff in it. It's not "one" book. However, most people have managed to find peace and hope and "most" and certainly "all" mainstream Christian organizations have managed to keep the "feed the hungry" and "Do unto Ohters" without stoning women and children.  Also, "religion" both Christianity and Islam and others are also responsible for much of the learning and advancement of civilization. Censorship? Oh yeah! Oppression? Oh yeah! But, as a person who works in Social Services I could also tell you stories of how they paid for a family to keep their heat on last winter. Fed families and donated clothing and toys to children. Paid dental bills and power bills and for trips to the doctor. I could tell you of an "alternative lifestyle" couple who find grest comfort in their faith. True they have to go to "certain" churchs t pratice it (the Christian church) has a lot of growing up to do. But, it's not all bad. Fact is I have found some great comfort in the bible. But, no it isn't the "word" of god for all ages and forever. But, the word of God is in there. (imo) but it's also in me and you and Budda and even in Christopher Hitchens (Lord the man's dying so he might not appreciate that last comment.)  But, then again we are all terminal just at different degrees. I am a "weird" person I guess because I'm not offended by religion. I been there, done that and got the t-shirt! I still find comfort in my "faith" although I'm not a "praticing" church going or mosque going or temple going person. As for "moral" stuff not needing religion I would agree to an extent. But, the impulse that a person is more than a brain fart or more than a machine does cause us to view each being as important unto themselves. We squash a but and feel no guilt. But, we kill a human and even if we get away with it we are eaten up (unless we are completely sociopathic) until the day we die. Yet, if there is no meaning then it's no more "evil" to kill a human than it is a bug. Explain God? Never. Can't be done. At least I can't do it. But, I can't actually point out Natural selection or give you a "slice" of love or hate. I can't honestly pick up and hand you a thought or explain how I just "knew" that I needed to be at the store that day to run into "her." But, I did! Life is a very complex and wonderful and tragic experience. Is it all there is? Yeah, because there is no "nothing." IMO, it's all one eternal moment and birth and death and birth and death and birth and death until we "wake up." But, even that is just babble because I know what I "feel" and what I intuit but I don't always know how to put it into words. I think the bible does contain one great explanation of God. Moses asked "Who are you?" The answer: "I AM." somehow that works for me. Who's god? I AM!