Not too long ago (Saturday evening, 05/11/2019), I was a participant in a conversation regarding this precise subject – Should all scriptures in the Bible be taken literally? The conversation began very civil but gradually moved into a more 'fever-pitched' debate. As the debate raged on, sarcastically I stated: “If the Bible was meant to be taken literally, period, then almost every 'so-called' Christian in the world should crippled and sightless.” One of the zealous females replied “What the devil is that suppose to mean? That makes no sense at all!” At that I said: “Hold on, what does it say at Mark 9:43-47?” As she started examining the scriptures, I said: “If we were to take those literally, wouldn't most people be crippled and sightless?”

What do you believe? Do you think the Bible should be taken literally, period? Please explain why and/or why not!