Dear Pirate,

By "only requires one" I just mean that it doesn't require two, it doesn't require any duality of whatever kind, it doesn't require a background, it doesn't require contrast, it doesn't require relationship, it doesn't require a context, it doesn't require a universe...

Whereas existence requires a context, a universe within which objects "reside" (or are absent from).

For example, "there doesn't exist a number whose square is minus-one", is true in the context of real numbers, is true in the context of the physical world (where numbers do not even exist), but is not true in the context of complex numbers.

To say that "the number 'i' exists', implies that there are two separate "things": the universe of complex numbers and the specific number 'i'.

That I AM, however, is independent of any context, it does not require a universe: even if there is no universe, you still ARE.

Perhaps the confusion comes back to Descartes:
Indeed, in order to be able to think there must be at least two (probably many more) and indeed Descartes stated "Cogito ergo sum" and indeed, Cogito is a sufficient condition for Ergo. However, Cogito is not a necessary condition for Ergo: You ARE even while you do not think.

That you also exist (while not thinking, say when your body is asleep or dead), that there also is a universe apart from you while you are not thinking, is not that obvious.

Some of the elements in the biblical stories don't even ring true as authentic hallucinations either to be honest.

Allow me to provide an example of why I say that.

So, have you ever seen an example of so called psychedelic art?

Well, if you have, then you may also know that some of it is but a 2D representation/a frame or captured moment of what otherwise is more like an animated 3D pattern that you could see on a digital device, and one that may appear suspended (mirage like/with a degree of transparency) within the environment that you are in ( assuming ones eyes are open.)

Same thing applies with hallucinations, and such is the majesty of the Human Brain that indeed it can generate some absolutely unreal experiences.

So .. " and GOD spoke " is at best perhaps just a "loud" sub vocalisation and at the tamer end of the scale.

And as for the language, was the verb really "spoke" or perhaps a verb which is similar but subtlety different in meaning?

..

Conversely, some of the stream of consciousness and symbolic stuff like that in Revelations seem a bit more interesting. Perhaps some of Joseph's dreams. But other elements as said seem plainly contrived.

david f,
Abraham adopted El Shaddai one of the gods of Ur as his God, and she was a god of many breasts representing one who nurtures life. Moses changes this in Exodus 6: 2 to YHWH meaning the presence or "I AM".

I happen to believe the entire Universe is a single cohesive unit and not a conflicting diversity operated by many gods.

I do not believe in gods impregnating virgins, as I have explained previously. Mary was a virgin artificially impregnated by the seed of a descendant of King David as authorized by Zechariah to ensure the child born was of royal lineage. Such practices were used by the Essene community to avoid becoming ceremonially unclean.

Dear Josephus,

What is your evidence for the statement about Abraham selecting a God? Why pick one god and not another god? How do you know who or what impregnated Mary if she existed? Was there a reliable witness?

My younger son once asked his mother about how he got here. She told him that Daddy planted a seed in Mommy. He looked at her doubtfully and said, “I never saw you do it.” He is now a biochemist.

david f,
Of course you do not believe the Hebrew text, but it is written there, and if you studied the archaeology of Ur you would know of the many temples to the gods that Terah served.

Again if you do not accept the witness of James the eldest son of Joseph who later wrote about Mary and the birth of Jesus then you do not accept any witness. James was raised in the household of Mary and his father Joseph. James son of Joseph was initially skeptical of Jesus but later recognized the role of Jesus and he wrote several books.
You are on the Net search "Protevangelion" by James.

Davidf,
I believe Joseph's first wife was Simone as she was traveling with the family to Bethlehem.
This site has an English copy of the text.

http://www.gnosis.org/library/gosjames.htm