When people do not look at Jesus as the Messiah who paid the price for mankind they will hold to their traditions.

Yep, that's my current understanding of it. It's a works-based salvation program which diefies the snake in the garden of Eden because the snake "opened man's eyes" and thus man became "enlightened".

They tell you that you must become a better person, move up the ranks, and gain the 'secret knowledge' to become enlightened.

I think your entire comment is a great summation of the situation. I'll save it for later 👌 tyvm

edit- the part about the pyramid structure is so interesting to me... I am reminded of the very first structure like this at the Tower of Babel. The book of Revelation discusses MYSTERY BABYLON, MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS IN THE EARTH, and based on what I know now, this is the ultimate "Tower of Babel" system. I see the pyramid structure there, in Vatican City, and we also see it in the Freemasons, who are bitter rivals with the Vatican, at least on the surface...

I will keep this in mind