I don't expect anyone to know the answer to this question. But it really is what has kept me from accept a religion as The Religion.

I have read about the parallels of Christianity with ancient religions. The messiah born of a virgin who performs miracles and is sacrificed.

There are real dark entities in this world. Children are born into incestuous families. Some are abused their whole lives and then sacrificed before they have even heard of Jesus or any other messianic figure. What of them? Are they sinners and do they go to hell for not accepting Jesus as the only way to get to into heaven?

In my mind the story of Jesus gives religious cults permission to stop sacrificing other human beings.