Well, your interpretation is that it is symbolic, but if you wish us to respect your interpretation, then respect ours. We’ve had this for quite a long time and many of us. So, you can go ahead and believe what you interpret if you wish, but give us the same respect for our interpretation.
Please show where I have been disrespectful. Thanks. (Unless you consider disagreement being disrespectful as liberals do?)
And yes, a close careful reading of Scripture DOES show that it is symbolic. Repentance and faith are necessary to salvation - not the rest. To take certain Scriptures as saying that would negate many others — and we all know that Scripture does NOT contradict itself!