"the authenticity and accuracy of the Bible is beyond dispute for anyone who cares to investigate the evidence"
Yes, it is indisputably neither authentic nor accurate.
It is not hard to flick through the bible and come away with some chiroptera guano insane ideas, it is also not hard to flick through it and come away a better and more caring person.
The sole deciding factor seems to be who you were before you read the bible. Some people may become more centred or focussed because of it, while others become idiotic or dangerous obsessives. But whether you were level-headed or perched over the abyss was there before you read the damn book.
In a way, it's no different to Star Trek, lots of people enjoy the series and perhaps buy some of the merchandise (I still have my TOS tricorder in my computer desk), but there are always a few who'll dress in the uniform, decorate their room to look like it's on the Enterprise-E (if their mom lets 'em), carry a phaser, etc.
Dawkins argues that religion is harmful, but I don't totally agree. Religion is a focal point for the obsessive behaviour of a certain kind of person, but so are innumerable works of fiction, historical periods, hobbies, etc.
