exactly aineo.
some people take beliefs literally, some people dont. i look upon this case by case, see if it applies to this day and age, modern society (unforunitly we do live in it). its a very individual religion rather than a communal thing. its the person who decides how thier relationship with God will be, not some pope or a religious guy who made some text anciant years ago. we may believe those beliefs. but normal hindus dont look at things literally. i wasnt talking about hinduisms stationary beliefs (dharma, samsara, ahimsa, karma, etc.) i was talking of the myths and stories. surely no hindu actually believes that an elephant headed God that exists on some cumilous cloud.
rather ganesha exists in a more metaphorical state, his 'appearance' are symbols which represents God and His attributes to be understood by His worshippers.