Figurative language is marked by use of metaphors and other figurative type language devices, or things that are "emblematic", meaning that they stand for something. Please explain to me what in the creation account is figurative AND either 1)What the metaphors or other language devices are, OR 2) What the symbols are and what they mean.
Issuing a blanket statement does not make it so. Since the normal way to read is literally, the burden of proof is on you. Otherwise the default setting is literal.
"Since the normal way to read is literally, the burden of proof is on you. Otherwise the default setting is literal."
The normal way to read the BUPERS manual is literally; that does not hold for all written material. The default setting here is allegorical, and the burden is on anyone who wants to prove that it should be understood literally.
If you're really interested, you might try reading this article:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07310a.htm