We did study Catholicism, all of us. We were all raised Catholics. We studied it very well. I don't know all the reasons my friends here ultimately rejected the RCC, but I suspect it was for similar reasons that I rejected it too.
For me, the RCC was its own worst enemy. The priests and nuns told me not to read or interpret the Bible for myself. Now, I am a cantankerous, rebellious, in your face kind of guy. When they told me that, what do you suppose was the first thing I did? Right, I started reading the Bible and interpreting it for myself. It wasn't long after that, I left permenantly, never to return. I discovered salvation is in a relationship, not in some church organization, no matter how much some may claim otherwise.
Frankly, I don't care much about all kinds of silly little arguments about different doctrines. I only care about one thing. Heaven or Hell, and how to go to the first, and avoid the second. Nothing else matters a hill of beans.
Now, I have complete assurance of salvation, that my name is written in the Lamb's book of life. If that makes me guilty of committing the sin of presumption, so be it. It's not going to change anytime soon.
"I discovered salvation is in a relationship, not in some church organization, no matter how much some may claim otherwise. "+1