We, as Christians, should be grateful for the good that the Catholic Church has done for Christianity. That such a huge, rigid, authoritarian, manmade organization became corrupt was a foregone conclusion after the fall, though. The freedom to contradict bad doctrine is something for which many fought and died. But, some fought for less than honorable reasons. It is what it is. We’re dealing with human beings, after all. I’ve known many Catholics who I believe to have found salvation, so I’m certain it is possible to negotiate that maze and come out the other side. Several recent popes have been genuine men of God, in my estimation, particularly Pope John Paul. I disagree profoundly with that church on many things, and have been somewhat outspoken about it here on FR, but won’t stoop to completely condemn it.
I wish I could keep quiet in the light of perceived error. The Roman church and it's hierarchy are, inho, a man made institution, which bears much blame for misery through the ages. I believe that the God I know has no need for any human intercessor, and can cite Scripture all day to prove it. I refuse to use an apocrypha or other spurious "reach" to get my advantage. I will use the OT and NT, and willingly can go to the Greek.
The Mormons are in the same league as far as I am concerned. They also claim to be the "true church". They, like the Roman church, demand adherence to the LAW, as well as MEMBERSHIP IN THEIR ORGANIZATION, to get to our reward.
Sorry, My God loves me, and knows I am a failure... but provided me with Jesus blood!
Romans 3: 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.