I myself have pondered this. I am certainly a theist. My prayers are often answered. I have a deep spiritual sense of ecstasy when I pray. But the jesus thing?
I have, until recently, addressed my prayers in the name of Christ - but then I stopped doing so. I felt like a hypocrite for doing something like that through the name of someone that I don't really believe in. I certainly don't believe that he came back from the dead. I don't believe that life works like that. Not that I think it is absolutely impossible to do so, I just don't see what the point would be. How does that help anyone?
Paul argues that it is senseless to deny the resurrection because it denies the sense of reward for a good life. "Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we are to die." I disagree. I think living a good life brings fruitage in this life.
If there is no resurrection, it does beg the question why would we listen to Paul's long list of pharisaical requirements for the holy ones? Well. We wouldn't, would we? So I don't. I drink as much as I please, smoke what and when I want to, enjoy the delights of this life.
I think there is a sense of working in harmony with the entire universe through good deeds, a sense that is above and beyond (and at the heart of) true Christianity. If the universe is a machine designed to produce better and more complex beings that eventually attain a certain level of divinity, then the problem of "sin" is reduced to merely "bad choices". True wickedness is evidenced by delight in the suffering of others, stealing from others, especially sentient beings, for mere pleasure or power. We become parasites of the universe instead of healthy participants in it.
Christianity is flawed, especially Pauline Christianity. But I think that it is superior to the pagan practices of Rome (at the time) and therefore represents a step forward in mankind's spiritual evolution. Through Pauline Christianity, we are introduced to a Creator. We meet a symbol of perfection. We form a concrete idea of morality. We learn to respect other human beings. Racism is overthrown (a BIG Imperial Roman concept). Violence is abhorred. Judgement is often left to God, especially of those outside the Christian community. Evangelism is encouraged.
But to go BACK to Pauline Christianity would probably be a step backwards. What is next? I'm not sure. the needs of the time will dictate the next phase.
CZAR