It certainly wasn't my intention to offend you (at any time), so if I have I apologize. I think my last comment included a bit of sarcasm in response to what I perceived to be a snide comment. It was intended to be light-hearted.
I don't know if I entirely agree with this, though it is true on many levels. Just like the, increasingly inaccurate, Shakespeare analogy, when you really look at it you realize 90% is just fart and shit jokes
. You only need to have some of the words translated (like "protest" = "vow") and a few tidbits of history to see it.
I suppose the relevant areas I've read about include history, culture and evolution of Mesopotamia, though I can't say I have much formal training. I've studied anthropology, sociology and psychology in HS and college, though not even a minor equivalent. In my leisure time I've read about those disciplines with respect to the development of religion. I've read parts of the Bible, Talmud, Koran, as well as books discussing the aforementioned. Religion is very important to some of my family, but equally important are rationality and facts. I've learned a lot from them despite our differences. The extent of my archaeological knowledge is mostly what I've seen on NOVA specials, or implied in other texts
. Just to add a bit of proportion to this, if you think you guessed my religion you're most likely wrong.