Well Pete, what is crucial about picking & choosing is whether anyone chooses to accept a literal meaning in whatever the 'original' text said. Many pretty devout Christians treat the biblical admonitions as guidance, not commands.
I think it is interesting that YOU take a view that might not be exactly what your church believes. To me, that is just another indication of the subjective nature of most people's moral decisions. (I assume you would allow... or at least forgive... killing in certain instances of self-defense or defense of your family.)