First the bible is not just one book. Its a compilation of numerous books. 3 of which are the gospels. So you have 3 different sources telling the same story. Now as for jesus performing miracles... Jewish writing later would say that Jesus was a sorceror who led Isreal astray... They could have easily said that Jesus was a liar and didnt do anything of the like but instead they acknoledge this fact, Jesus performed miracles that could not be explained.Disciple of Nagash said:Something as momentous as these miracles only get noted down in one book??? Highly unlikely.
Now about credibility. You have to realize that out of the Apostles of Jesus 10 died horrific gruesome deaths, all refusing to deny what they had witnessed and saying that what Jesus did was true. NOw I ask you, if you had decided to make up stories about a superman who cured people and helped them would you be willing to die for a Lie? I dont think so.
Witnesses...
The miracles performed by Jesus were witnessed by many many people, Im sure you know the story about how Jesus had fed hundreds of people with just a couple pieces of brad and fish... This is not only a show that there were many witnesses to one miracle, but that During Jesus' ministry he had a good many followers...
The early church (before the vatican pope ect...) was very fragile, Christians were persecuted for thier beliefs. Dont you think that the Jewish population would have siezed onto any oportunity to denounce the church? When Jesus died on the cross many of his followers denounced him and fled. Some of these people witnesses to the miracles. After the gospels began to circulate Im sure these witneses would have lept upon any lies or discrepancies present within them. Essentially if the Gospels had lies about Jesus in them there would have been witnesses present to say they were lies... But there wernt.
If said Kiddie murdere is truly sorry, wishes to follow Jesus once again and be good... Then yes he is forgiven... I have no problem with forgiving and forgetting. Sure the kiddie murderer would have immense guilt for what he did, IMO thats punishment enough, The kids that were killed would also have to forgive the man. This is whats beutifull about God, he forgives, it doesnt matter what you did in the past, as long as you love God back and wish to become a better person theres nothing to worry about.Disciple of Nagash said:oh no wait a mo, if you just repent on your deathbed for all those kids you murdered and you really, really mean it you can still go to heaven - I mean WTF?? So kiddie murderer is wandering heaven just because he said sorry??
Also Jesus teaches that we should follow in his footsteps and live a life full of love and kindness... If kiddie murderer is willing to do that in heaven then all is good...
Now as for bad things happening in the world, children dying ect.
Children
God kills children, you know why? He gave us life, he has the right to take it away, NOw children are before the age they know right from wrong, they are innocent, in essence they will ultimatly go to heaven... No child is in hell... really it can be considered a pity killing in a sense. God is saving the kids from having to live a life full of trials and hardships and giving them a free pass into heaven... Alls good
Now for the parents... they will be traumetized, hurt, but in the end they will emerge as better people. Anyone who has to suffer through hardships and looks back on themselves prior to said hardships they will tell you that they learned from the experience and have become better people. These are sent by god to make improve people...
Now this post may be full of uncertainties and open holes but I dont really have the time to look back on it... If i sound harsh so shoot me..
And I dont know... It may be that vampries and the griblyness of the undead dont attract religous folk but meh...