[Iowegian]

...even though I candidly admit that the word 'alone' is nowhere in the text.

Maybe there is a reason for that. Like you don't understand what "sola Scriptura" really teaches. It doesn't mean what you think it means.

[IMRight]

Actually.. you saying that gives me some hope that we agree on this point "Salvation by faith alone" could easily mean "without faith there can be no salvation - good deed cannot save you"...a very Catholic idea. Or it can mean "faith by itself"... no obedience, etc. is required

We are in complete agreement if you mean the first, but you must agree that there are plenty of Protestants who teach the second (i.e. that "faith alone" refers to faith by itself).