Can the bible be taken literaly ?

[Abcdxxxx]

Apparently it's a complex process to differentiate the portions of the bible that can be used as a historical text, along with the more symbolic and prose like passages, juxtaposed with the plain out dated interpretations ... but maybe some of you should try it! I know some bible thumping holy rollers who can handle the multi-faceted language... so why can't some of you heathens?

Seriously, the relevance to any of these arguments stops at your own personal belief system.