The Bible interprets life from its particular perspective; it does not record in a factual way the human journey through history.

Perhaps the most telling witness against the claim of accurate history for the Bible comes when we read the earliest narrative of the crucifixion found in Mark's gospel and discover that it is not based on eyewitness testimony at all.

My basis of morality is this: does this action enhance life, or does it denigrate life? Does it build up or does it tear down?

I think that we have in recent years entered a 'New Dark Age' in the Western world. It is marked by the rise of religious systems that seek to build security by encouraging prejudice against a designated victim ... the homosexual. It has become the religious hysteria of our day.

Apologetic explanations do not develop unless there is a reality that has to be explained and defended. Jesus was undeniably a figure of history.

Was Judas Iscariot a figure of history? I do not think so. There is no mention of him in any source before the 8th decade.