I meant the word "tradition" as in the term "faith tradition". Just another word for "religion". I try to vary the words I use in a paragraph, to avoid sounding repetitious. I'm sorry it caused confusion.
I suspect you have "freed" yourself from the religion of men, but have little knowledge of or faith in God or what He has stated plainly.
I suspect you'd say that about anyone who has not joined your particular sect, if we really got down to it. Anyone who does not believe exactly as you do doesn't know what "He has stated plainly."
If the stuff you believe is so plain, then why are there ten thousand interpretations of it running around out there? Everybody's wrong except you? How do you know your interpretation is right, and everybody elses is wrong?
I wasn't confused. I still think you said what you meant. You used the phrase "Religious tradition" in order to avoid saying "Religious religion"? Now that's confused.
I suspect you'd say that about anyone who has not joined your particular sect, if we really got down to it. Anyone who does not believe exactly as you do doesn't know what "He has stated plainly."
If the stuff you believe is so plain, then why are there ten thousand interpretations of it running around out there? Everybody's wrong except you? How do you know your interpretation is right, and everybody else’s is wrong?
I note you did not say I was wrong in my conclusions about you but instead launched an attack. I also am left wondering when you became "everybody".
You are mistaken - give me a moment to review; yup - about everything you wrote. I don't even belong to a "particular sect" unless being a Christian qualifies. The church where we attend is best described as protestant non-denominational. I disagree with many things about the Catholic faith, but do not dismiss Catholics as non Christians. Even among Protestants there is much variation in interpretation of scripture. Pre trib, mid trib, post trib, no trib, spiritualization of various passages, two Isaiahs, etc. etc. It does make for interesting discussion. But the key is the bottom line - what say you of the Christ? Who do you say He is?
I also appreciate a quote that is something like; "there is scripture I do not understand - there is scripture I only think I understand - but there is a great deal in scripture I cannot misunderstand". I am mindful of all three parts of that quote - you seem to prefer to dismiss the third part based on the reality of the first two parts (that, btw, is also part of the answer to your ten thousand interpretations question).
If you believe it is all just so hard to understand try this exercise: 1)check the dictionary for the word "fornication". You will find that it basically means sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each other. 2) Now go search the scriptures for that word and construct your interpretation of the passages you find such that fornication is A-Ok. Then the number will be 10,001.
Go do what you want. Believe what you want. That is your God given right.