Why do people take the bible so literally?

I'm a Catholic, but I don't take the Bible literally, but I'm not saying that the Bible shouldn't be believed, but it should be read metaphorically, especially if it contradicts scientific discoveries, I take St. Augustine's position on Bible interpretation...

I'm just wondering why some people quote such specific bits of scripture in arguments against people and against gay rights, yet they can't see the bigger picture. I mean ...show more

I frankly despised the holy texts because of the associations I placed upon them from people, but after reading some I found them rather poetic and enlightening. I still can't understand why individuals think that in order to preserve their "holiness...

People always wave their Bible when talking about gays, but they don't go about buying slaves, 'because the Bible says so'...Nor do they approve of slavery, because the ...show more

It has always boggled my mind as to why people try to take the Jew outta the bible. It is a jewish book. It has jewish authors. Christians stemmed from jews. If you argue Christian theology people will always automatically say "no that don't apply...

What I really mean: Figurative rather than literal in some cases - Much of the Bible is illustrative. (Apologizing 7*70 times doesn't mean you stop at 490 times, eye for an eye doesn't mean you have to stab out another person's eye if they stabbed your...