"But, But,But! the vast majority of Christians - and virtually every Christian child - do believe every word of the Gospels. And, if their clergy were to turn around and instruct their congregation to "get past the literalism in the Gospels"..well, I shudder to think of the reaction!" Tunesmith

But you, know, that just is not the truth. I was brought up very differently from Joe Offer and from what I suspect was Mousethief's upbringing but even I was not taught to believe every word of the Bible as it has come down to us. I was taught that some things in the Bible were culturally appropriate.

And today it is most certainly not true. I don't go to church bur for several years I was secretary to an Episcopal church and one of the things I picked up about them was their willingness to examine uncertainties and to admit their questions. I admired that greatly.