re - Is empirical science a reliable source of information? - Hard to say. But I`d say that the principles shoud not always be taken as "truth". For example: Can anything travel faster than light? Reletivists love to say that it`s impossible. But see http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/light000720.html


re - Is empirical science a reliable source of information about spiritual things? - Off the top of my head I`d say no. But different people see spirituality differently. Consider Einstein`s famous statement

Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind - Albert Einstein

God, as manifest through nature made Einstein a (depaly?) religious man in this sense.

re - You may disagree with me, but to a seeker of truth with an open mind the Bible looks very good. What is your rejection of the Bible based on? - Why do you think one must either reject it or accept it? It`s like thinking that if your friend has never lied then he can`t lie or that if your friend has lied then he can`t tellthe truth.

But I find the part in the Bible where God sanctions slavery a bit suscpisious. He slavery is sanctioned by God then it must be okay right? See Genesis. I also find people misinterpret the Bible by saying there are things are in it which really aren`t there.