The story clearly is written to show that Abraham faces a difficult dilemma. Indeed, the story is chosen to represent the most difficult dilemma that a person could face: Submit to God’s will or protect my child?

I am amused you picked this story to highlight, because that story was a huge reason why I could never become a Christian. I felt a bit better about it after my Religious Studies teacher in college explicated it to us as an allegory of "would you do anything for a God you believe in?"-- but I could never really get with Abraham sacrificing Isaac, even though I guess it turned out for the better. I also felt that it was rather unfair how Jacob (and his son Joseph, actually) seemed to get everything, even when they didn't seem to deserve it. Esau seemed like he got a raw deal.

Esau seemed like he got a raw deal.

Not to mention, hairy back.

but I could never really get with Abraham sacrificing Isaac

I had pretty much the same reaction. Although it's probably just as well I never blurted out "Why is God such a dick?" to Sister Madeline.

Not to mention, hairy back.

BWAH!

So you don't have to necessarily decide that you would act the same as Abraham in order to follow his religion any more than you have to be ready to withstand deprivation through a winter in Valley Forge to be a patriotic American

I agree with this, but I think (correct me if I am wrong) is that if your gut reaction to the story is WTF? How could Abraham do that? -- you probably would make a better agnostic/atheist.

“I AM YOUR GOD AND I DEMAND THAT YOU GO UP ON THE MOUNTAIN AND ENJOY THE VIEW FOR AWHILE! MAYBE PICK A FEW BERRIES! I COMMAND IT!”

I could totally do this one! Man, why doesn't god ever ask me to do easy things? I mean, for reals.

But wait -- I forgot that I had two little awesome things to report. The first is that, earlier, I was walking down the street at the same time as the Mister Frosty truck came by for the first time this year. I got to see all the little kids freaking out and calling for their friends and running outside, and it was fanTASTic. Also, my chinese food leftovers were actually in those chinese food boxes! You don't see that so much any more. Good times.

I think (correct me if I am wrong) is that if your gut reaction to the story is WTF? How could Abraham do that? -- you probably would make a better agnostic/atheist.

Perhaps. But in my years of CCD, every teacher I had (that discussed it) said they would never be able to sacrifice a child like that.

To be honest, I've always assumed that everyone's reaction would naturally be WTF? How could Abraham do that?

I just took it as a story to tell people that no just god would ever demand human sacrifice. I mean, he made Abe go up to the mesa and all, but then he was all, "PSYCHE! Put down the knife, fool. I was just joshin' ya. I know you'd do it, and hey, that's great...fucked up, but great. But I'd never actually take your kid."

ETA: I'm just not a literalist.

Study too small to be statistically meaningful, but: researchers found no correlation between the ability to detect phishing sites and an individuals age, sex, education level or the time spent using a computer.

Is a Mr. Frosty truck the truck that makes the annoying "music" noises whenever I'm home sick?

Poor support guy. He sent me e-mail about installing my new docking station. I replied that he could just deliver it, I'd do the rest. He came by with it and told me at least three times how to contact him if I had any problems. He looked really sad.

Speaking of sad, I'm taking this migraine and going home.

Is a Mr. Frosty truck the truck that makes the annoying "music" noises whenever I'm home sick?

Yeah, sorry about that. Well, probably. You could have some other audible traffice out there in LA.