A very good point, Loop. But that's the rub. If one is going to take bits and pieces of the bible/quran , is that person still a believer? I'm grateful that people have stepped back from the more literal interpretations, but I would argue that you could have a half-decent moral compass without any of it.
A serial killer might or might not say that quote, but the sad fact is that a lot of people still go nuts if you don't believe. Look at the rotten shit that got said about Pat Tillman after he got killed in Afghanistan. The guy was doing something he believed in. Was that shit really necessary? By a lieutenant colonel, no less.

The other thing that concerns me: Islam is the fastest-growing religion on earth. And the only branch of christianity on the upswing right now is evangelical (bible literalists). Is that good for society? I'm asking that sincerely, not sarcastically. Anyways, i think maybe this should be another thread.