A child was born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin. He would grow up to perform miracles: walking on water, turning water into wine, raising the dead.

He died on the cross, and three days later, rose from the grave.

For many Christians, these stories are the basic tenets of faith. For John Shelby Spong, a priest and bishop for 45 years – these stories spell the end of Christianity.

For John Spong, a literal belief in the bible is an impoverished belief. More to the point, it misses the whole point.

John Spong has retired as a Bishop in the Episcopalian church. These days, he travels the world, making the case for a more progressive Christianity.

His latest book is Jesus for the Non-Religious; Recovering the Divine at the Heart of the Human, published by Harper Collins.

To find out more about John Shelby Spong, visit his
website .

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Also on the program: Are we better off without religion? Christopher Hitchens, whose latest book is god Is Not Great, argues in favour of the motion.

If you'd like to listen to the full debate, which was sponsored by the Times newspaper, go to the Timesonline website to download the podcast.

You'll hear Richard Dawkins and A.C. Grayling arguing in favour of the motion alongside Christopher Hitchens. Speaking against, are Rabbi Julia Neuberger, Roger Scruton and Nigel Spivey.