Well I have to admit that I do believe in the literal bible and a literal hell. But I also believe that those who are “saved” are not necessarily better than those who are not. That would imply that Christ saved those people who exhibited behavior worthy of being saved, and the scripture is quite clear that salvation is by grace (unmerited favor) alone. So the only thing Christians can say to non-Christians is that they are missing out on the greatest love mankind can know. They cannot say, however, that not having faith makes them worse people than those who do not believe.

As far as your faith journey goes, Jim, it turns out I sort of went the opposite rout from you! At a very early age my parents really gave me a view of faith that was more “metaphorical” in nature. Through my own journey I decided upon the literal views that I hold now.