deconversion

I've been reading Paine's "The Age of Reason" (yes, I read all the time! Usually 3 or 4 books at a time...It's a gift :-)) and I find that I agree with much of what Paine has to say. I just finished the section (3 or 4 chapters worth) where he discusses "other worlds" and what we would call "the possibility of life on other planets".

While I have never believed in little green men, I have been of the opinion that this universe (hell, just the galaxy) is just too big for us to say, "it's all about us! There's no other intelligent life anywhere in the universe, but right here on earth". Sorry, just can't go there.

Speaking of reading: can I get a recommendation for a serious book about inconsistencies/errors/contradictions in the bible? Let me qualify that: I'm looking for something that a layman can understand. If the author starts getting into tenses of greek verbs, they've lost me!

I want real, tangible things. Did Abraham really exist? Did the Jews go to Egypt to escape a famine? Was there a famine? Did Moses really exist? Did he lead the Jews out of Egypt? Is there any proof of any of this? That kind of thing.

OMG! The mere fact I'm asking these questions is proof of how far I've come (or fallen, depending on your point of view).