Gallup Again - The Bible

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I understand that arguing this is hopeless, because people here believe myths that serve their ideology, not historical truth.

This is from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy's entry on Augustine:

At Milan he underwent the influence of Bishop Ambrose (339–397), who taught him the allegorical method of Scriptural exegesis

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/augustine/

In De Genesi contra Manichaeos, De vera religione, and De Genesi ad litteram Augustine insists on allegorical interpretations of significant parts of the Bible.

Paul, in the New Testament, interprets Old Testament stories allegorically. Paul is more important to Christianity than Woolston.

Jesus, in the New Testament, speaks largely through parables -- that is, non-literal means of expression. Jesus is more important to Christianity than Woolston.

All of which is perfectly true and correct, but none of which will matter to the 20%.  It isn't how certain bits of the Bible are meant to be understood, but how they are understood that causes all the trouble.

Boru