The "Cultural Context" Excuse

[robvalue]

I've tried really hard to empathise with theists. I feel I've had some success during my time on this forum.

But I still can't get anywhere near understanding the mindset of a literalist. Someone who thinks the stories in the bible all happened as they are written, because they are in the bible. I don't know how someone can truly believe that without their brain exploding. It makes me wonder how much of it is professed belief, and how much is actual belief. From my point of view, I really can't tell the difference.