Re-Reading God Against the Gods

Recently, when I lost my treasured copy of God Against the Gods by Jonathan Kirsch, I decided to buy another copy and read it immediately. Following are some notes and conclusions.

• While the early Christians suffered some persecution during various periods, once protected by the Roman Empire they did far worse to pagans and practitioners of alternate Christian traditions. Talk about payback!
  
• Early Christians did a complete hack-job on pagans. Monotheism at its worst. Intolerant, ignorant, judgmental, etc. When is Christianity going to issue a public apology for its sins?
  
• It should be no surprise that pagan-like concepts, modern gnosticism for example, are making a comeback today. There is probably more truth there, and traditions based on power and abuse will eventually wear down and fade.
  
• I prefer open-mindedness to fanaticism. Much safer and saner.
• I can do without holy wars, which only serve to hurt people.
• Rigorism, fanaticism, and zealotry have nothing to do with God. They are excesses of the human mind (ego) and should be treated as forms of insanity.
• Too bad Julian died so young. He's my man!
  
• Religious violence, and all monotheisms promote violence to some degree, is just plain stupid. Why do we put up with this crap?
• We could use a bit more sacred sexuality.
• Circumcision may have been a replacement for human sacrifice. You only have to give up a little piece. I'm for that!
  
• How would things be different if Mithraism had become the official religion of the Roman Empire?
• Demonizing your opponent is a sure sign that you are only interesting in power, that you have no interest in playing fair. There is never any truth in the demonizing accusations.
  
• Too bad Christianity is mostly propaganda, myth, and bad theology. It could really have been something without these.
• Who in their right mind would give up the gift of life for a concept (belief)?
• The original "Men in Black" were a Christian hit squad who specialized in destroying pagan shrines and writings. Not to mention muggings and killings.