I don't think that has to stem necessarily from the Bible, though. Many religions have sacred texts, and for that matter, I think failing to make this distinction - that is, abstraction and the ability to see stories as symbols - is probably the natural base state for stupid people. It's learning to do that abstraction that requires a certain step, and has to be taught. (Not that the Bible doesn't try, in fact - it was a popular way of teaching in the ancient world, wasn't it? Parables are a popular part of Bible study even now, or so I've been led to believe.)