methinks , bill, that, re Jonah you applied it as if I was addressing you, who is not claiming any belief in the bible, whereas I was replying to joe who seemed to be intimating he does [of sorts] and asking me for my reasons for taking Jonah as historical narrative.
it is interesting to consider whether any existing sea creature that we know of, is capable of swallowing a live man whole, but the text itself says that God "prepared" a great fish. as I said before, if you believe in God, miracles are no problem. I reckon atheists need more faith for their secular miracles, ie ideas that don't jive with observational science.
it is worth noting, bill, that you are asserting stuff as fact that even those who disagree with me, are providing some measure of correction on.
you are also asserting that none of the data supports a more recent creation -
1, I have given data that does just that, but you have faith that science will yet show where observational science is, so far, wrong
2,data and evidence are interpreted according to the researchers worldview and/or peer pressure and need for funding.
but if you have specific evidence of deep time, other than more assertion that all the data and disciplines agree.........
I will say it again, textbook definition or not, that, is an appeal to numbers/authority.
btw, from the aig site was a link to a video of the walking fish.