No, Ed – pushing is different. I’m offering my theological interpretation. It would be pushing if I demanded that my students adopt my perspective and if I then failed them when they refused. I merely require them to demonstrate a capacity for reasoned argument in support of their theological interpretations.
In fact, I have no problems with people adhering to a realist interpretation of mythological stories. But if they do so, they must reject the science that contradicts such a literalist interpretation. For example, if you are going to insist that all humans have descended from one historical pair named “Adam” and “Eve,” you must flush genetics down the toilet. Genetic science shows that at no point can the species have dropped below a minimum threshhold of breeding pairs without subjecting us to genetic erosion, and there is absolutely no evidence in genetics that this has happened. So, by all means, have your literal Adam and Eve, but don’t be hypocritical ion sneaking modern genetics in by the back door when it suits you.
Cassini is perhpas the most honest among you in rejecting most modern scientific theories, such as relativity, heliocentrism, plate tectonics, genetics, etc. He may be a little hypocritical in adhering to gravity instead of God willing heavy objects to fall down, or object falling becasue they seek their Aristotelian “natural place.” but he is at least more consistent than most.
Good day.
StAnastasia