To believe in God you need to believe the fantastical and magical for example "parting of Red Sea" etc etc. that's why if the writer prefers the story with the tiger and orang utan, he should find it easier to believe in god since he is willing to have a suspension of disbelief.

U Urself said " deep down the writer believes the 2nd harsher story is real." But he "PREFERS" the less grizzly story.

It tells us something about us and religion. People want to believe in religion because it is easier, more rewarding since all religions states after death there is eternal life and the good will be rewarded and evil will be punished. People refuse to believe that after death there is nothing, the want something more secure.

Also I hope you are not the kind of die hard religious person because if you are, all I've said will be in vain. If you are not, then I hope you enjoyed my view regarding one of the best book/movie of all time.