A problem could arise with biblical literalists, but one could address that by suggesting that some fictional stories have great value in teaching some lesson or illuminating some aspect
of the «human (or other sentient being)
condition», and also address actual historical events in the translation
of the bible — or one could be more abbrassive and ask «do you believe
deaf people can't be saved» (see one
of Paul's letters, and the history
of the Catholic Church)-- oh, you don't — so when you said you were a literalist, you were speaking figuratively?»