For the longest time I thought that Evangelicals thought of Catholics as a cult, and even seemed to think that the Pope was the anti-Christ. But a thawing seems to have occurred, warming more and more since The Passion of the Christ, which was produced after all by a traditional Catholic man. I don't think it was lost on Evenangelicals that all manner of opprobrium was hurled at Mel, and that he suffered for Christ and came through the refiner's Fire.
The Evangelicals that I work with have shown me much affection and care, and they are excellent Christians.
I'm afraid you are mistaken. Not all protestant denominations trace their roots to catholicism. Most of them trace their roots to the Protestant Reformation.
For the longest time I thought that Evangelicals thought of Catholics as a cult, and even seemed to think that the Pope was the anti-Christ.
Some of them still do think of catholicism as a cult, and yes some still do equate the Pope with the Anti-Christ. Though they are mistaken about the Pope being the Anti-Christ (I equate him more along the lines of the false prophet spoken in end-time scenarios) they are correct about the catholic religion as being one of rituals and no spiritual substance whatsoever.
The Evangelicals that I work with have shown me much affection and care, and they are excellent Christians.
True christians are affectionate and caring. It's a spiritual requirement which they gladly bear for the cause of the Cross.
Sorry to be such a downer here folks, but I don't see the coming together of catholicism and evangelical christianity as a good thing. If spiritual principles are compromised then this just fits in together with end times prophecy and the present day ecumenical movement. And that just brings us closer to end-time events.
As a former Catholic who is now an Evangelical Prot, I rejoice at the teaming of two of the best philosophical and moral systems in the world. It will be a force for good.
I have problems with Catholic theology, but you are as heck aren't a cult.