Christians, like Joseph's coat, have many colors

Yes, you can be a good Christian without believing the literal interpretation of the bible. I suspect that you might be a better example by "living" your life as best one can in accordance with the way that was shown by Jesus, and hidden in his parables and stories, allegories and metaphors...they are mysteries to be unraveled by each individual thru the lessons of his/her own life, his relationships with others, and the search of his own soul...for one must know oneself in relationship to God . Our faith is as individual as our spirit. Our capacity to perceive God, extremely varied and personal. I think the believer in Jesus' message has certain traits and two of those are inclusion and tolerance...something largely lacking in today's evangelical movement of Righteousness as they understand it, in the political arena. The most disturbing thing to me is that they allow no one else a way of interpretation of the bible or God, there perception is the only right perception. There is a certain stunning arrogance in that...as no one can have that kind of certitude in regards the mysteries of creation and the Creator. Not possible. Jesus was not a big participant in the politics or religious heirarchy of His day...in fact He shunned it. Jesus was not about outside laws, he was about changing hearts to live the law thru its understanding of our connectedness to each other. So much of the self righteous attitudes and decisions coming out of the religious right community, remind me far more of the Pharasies of Jesus day than they do Jesus. It is not about the literal meaning of a book of words, rather the spirit that moved across the page inserting the mystery of God's relationship to man...His love and longing for us and ours for Him.. Painted, word pictures of His Grace.