[The best explanation I have ever heard about the Trinity is based on the three states of matter. Water is a good example because we are all familiar with water at RT (liquid), ice (solid), and steam (gas).]
I am going to use that. I had never heard it.
I am Catholic and have problems with the leadership in my church as well. Like a good conservative, I remain loyal while actively trying to improve that which I am committed to. The Catholic church, like a tower in Italy began to lean as John Paul aged back in the late 80s.
It is interesting to compare and contrast.
To many/most, Allah has matured/evolved into a fire breathing beast that directs his followers to torture and murder those that do not believe in him while securing power and spewing propoganda. To his followers that murder in his name, hundreds of slutty virgins await their arrival in the afterlife.
Christians now have this fuzzy cumbaya image of Christ. I guess we had our violent historical evolutionary understanding (Crusades).
Not denying all the excesses and abuses (and stupidities, treacheries and cruelties) -- but keep in mind that the Crusades were defensive. Built on the early preaching of the original Apostles, Christianity had extended from Mesopotamia to Gibraltar by the arly 7th century. The forces of Islamic Jihad invaded and occupied fully 2/3 of Christendom with fire and sword and was threatening the very walls of Christian Constantinople.
It was at that point that the Byzantine Emperor urgently appealed to the West for help.
The point was never to convert the Muslims by force. The point was to defend the Holy Places and the Christians of the Easr. For an excellent, short and accurate summary, you can read historian Thomas Madden at:
http://www.churchinhistory.org/pages/leaflets/the-crusades.htm