As a Christian, I believe the bible is the divinely inspired word of God. As part of my faith, I believe every single word of what is written in scripture. This includes all the fantastical type tales....Talking snake, Parting of The Red Sea, Noah's Ark, Jonah and the whale, Sodom and Gomorrah, the talking donkey, all of the miracles of Jesus, etc. Truth be told, if the bible said that Jonah swallowed the whale, I'd believe that also. As long as it's part of the bible, I believe it with my whole heart and my little peanut brain.
I go to church three times a week and read the bible as often as I can. I expect to be called a bible thumper. Just as I expect to be called a Jesus Freak. I also expect to be told I have faith and go to church because I need a crutch. For the first two comments, I just nod my head, smile and shrug my shoulders. For the third, I offer a correction. I usually say that I go to church and believe in Jesus Christ because I have a need and an appreciation of a living Savior.
I believe Jesus Christ gave his life as a willng sacrifice for my sins, was buried and was resurrected on the third day. But that's just me. I'm not as smart as most people. You are free to make your own choices. I believe God is real. I also believe Satan is real. Jesus, the Son of God, spoke of only two eternities, heaven and hell. I realize I have a free will and I've made my choice.