People read scripture as if each story enabled them to obtain eternal life–but at what cost. A literal reading is enough to scare most people away from religion, yet pastors, priests, rabbis and others see the Old Testament as a guide for life: one filled with rape, pillage, and holocaust.
According to Genesis, Eve had three sons whom she gave names. After Cain killed Abel and was forced to flee, she was given Seth who continued to produce the mortal race, although he had but one son. The Seth story is from ancient Egypt and adapted worldwide. Knowing the ancient records makes sense out of the paucity of Biblical recognition of this man–who may have been Cain.
Biblical literalists argue that women are the “weaker sex” and must be controlled and dominated by men. While there is little evidence for such a claim in the Christian bible, it is used to subordinate women and make them second class citizens.