[Ichneumon]

Oh, please. Biblical interpretation is simplicity itself. The Bible means exactly what it says, except when it doesn't, and you can tell which is which because everyone who knows the Bible knows the difference even when no one agrees on what any of it means or what the differences are.

Often, the rule of thumb appears to be, "if what it la passage iterally says is something I agree with, then it means exactly that, and if what it literally says is not something I agree with, then it's figurative, or needs to be considered in a larger context, or allegorical, or a different convenant, or... just one of those parts we try to put out of our minds".

[furball4paws]

In some religions, you are free to interpret the bible on your own, and even encouraged to do so, like Judaism. Doesn't mean you are right, but you are at least encouraged to think. But fundies get the message from Elmer Gantry and he says, "March!" and they march forth. Normally reasonable people become mindless automatons.