[Finny]

Is there some obvious reason I should reject the plain and simple statement that, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and that it took six normal days to take care of the set up?

There are many obvious reasons, detailed thousands of times in thousands of science textbooks. They are why I reject interpreting Genesis literally. I do not reject God; I embrace Him because His embrace of me is everything. He endowed me and my fellow humans with the ability to reason, study the world around us, increase knowledge, draw conclusions, pursue truth. Anyone who must engage in denial and deception to justify what they define as "true" faith in God, is a dupe of a well-disguised devil.

[stands2reason]

Anyone who must engage in denial and deception to justify what they define as "true" faith in God

Don't forget abuse!

[Fester Chugabrew]

There are many obvious reasons, detailed thousands of times in thousands of science textbooks.

Why in particular should one accept the thousands of science textbooks as more authoritative and accurate than the biblical texts? Is it their great number? Is it because you were not present to experience six days of creation and thus weigh your experience in time as more authoritative?