So the bible says that those who are "chosen" are known by god before they are born, or when they are born, but then god gives man free will . . . . So this hobgoblin of a "god" creates people who are not chosen (those headed for hell). He then claims to have given them free will, as if it would change something he has supposedly already determined. Major contradiction.
The paradox here is that it is so important that god cannot force you to become a believer so "free will" is necessary. At the same time god knows everything in advance. I mean all about everything. Then we next have the question of "just what is the point in all this?"
Technically speaking, religions and cults are the same thing. All major religions once started as a small, close-knit group - basically a cult.
dude, their buy-bull is all a bunch of hooey. why bother looking for continuity? they don't care.