cognac

Part of the problem here is assuming that Christianity is one thing and that all Christians believe the same stuff. They aren't, they don't. If a passage is weird, but is not critical for the central issue, then it's ignored.

For instance, an evangelical will focus on the "salvation" issue. Does that passage in any way impact the nature of salvation or spreading the gospel. No, it doesn't, therefore why focus on it. Better to focus on aspects critical to the mission. That's the mindset of that group.

Snake handlers, on the other hand take Mark quite literally and they do bring rattlers to their worship services, and if they feel led they will come up and take a snake out of its box and carry it around the church. Some get bit.

The reason some fundamentalist will defend the literal creation story is because it hard wired into the salvation story. Without a literal Adam there is no original sin. Without original sin, there's no need for a virgin birth to create a "sinless" savior ... etc.

To an extent, yes.

Black Feather

That's because it's been heavily edited over 2000 years.