The really fascinating thing about that visit is that most of the members lean left, some strongly.

However, almost everyone said they would never have her back, that she was wrong in her interpretation. Despite our political difference, and they are as great in my church as they are on this motorcycle forum, we were basically united in the fact she had pushed Christianity aside to accommodate political beliefs.

Note: the only significant holdout to this was a college aged, strongly liberal girl majoring in journalism. No kidding.

Christianity is based on the Incarnation of God as man in the form of Jesus Christ. The suffering of the Passion was as real as if you or I went through it.

To your question, yes, Christ knew his spirit is immortal and that his earthly suffering was temporary. Real, but temporary.

So the flip side of your conundrum is: as a God, why go through that at all? Why spit yourself into multiple 'pieces', condescend to humanity and genuinely suffer? Unless, (for whatever mysterious reason that eludes me for sure) a sacrifice, a redeemer for mankind was needed.

It makes no logical sense, I agree. A religion that is based on following a clearly defined set of rules where rewards are handed out based on good deeds out-weighing bad deeds seems more logical.

But Christianity is not logical. Putting it into practice means trying to follow logic, but as you've often pointed out, that fails often. You only have to look at the history of the Catholic Church to prove that.

But the Passion is not based on logic. It's supernatural, spiritual; unable to be easily pinned down.

That's the best I can describe.