The post you are reporting:
I'm no athiest, but al ot of what Rick says strikes a chord with my beliefs. As for miracles, all tosh if you ask me. What they are is allegorical attempts to explain something to folks who didn't necessarily have the inteligence of the narrator/orator.
Did Jesus exist? Is there evidence? Well yes he did and, sure there is evidence Rick. There is documentary proof, found not too long ago, that Jesus from Nazareth, son of a carpenter, was schooled by religious thinkers in their purpose built community near the Sea of Galilee. These guys weren't Christians, obviously, but, documents written at the time mention him specifically, altohugh not dramatically.
If I get a bit of time I will find the Beeb documentary on this subject post a link.
As for attacking Islam, why bother. That religion is based on a fairly recent and peaceful prophet (like Jesus), not much different to Mormons, Buddhists etc. Nevertheless, Islam shares something nasty in common with Christianity. A strong desire to control peoples thoughts and actions. Something ideally suited to medieval times, not the 21st Century. Education will be the undoing of Islam and other religions, and that is why they try to control access to it, in the same way as Rome tried to, and eventually failed.
Finally, Bern, sorry sweetie, I cannot accept your argument for symbolism which, to me, could be interpreted as "false idols". The Catholic, Anglican and CofE churches are littered with them, not to provide comfort or direction methinks, but to perpetuate man-made religious rules/myths.