I don't see how this addresses my point. You're saying "you can't dismiss it unless you first want it to be true and behave accordingly." However, you also dismiss other religions, simply taking the word of scholars that they're no good. You tell your opponents their method is invalid, but you use it yourself, nonetheless.
When it comes to Christian theology you have a primary consensus in scholarship and then you have more of your fringe scholars (your Ehrmans and Carriers). I don't trust in their evaluation of Jesus Christ because of based in some ignorance and definite anti-Christ sentimentality.
Other religions that are directly or indirectly anti-Christ are demonic in nature....that's their source. You won't understand or agree with idea, but it's truth nonetheless.
You have no idea the time I've put into reading and writing and listening and comparing and understanding various religions. Still, I can't address all of scholarship, but I can say with confidence that once you've experienced the real, tangible presence of the Holy Spirit....well.....every
thing else seems sorta trivial.