Look back to how the Pharisees treated Jesus and his disciples. You are so hung up on how you interpret one should have a relationship with Christ... you've lost site of the whole picture. For example, the Pharisees thought Jesus' disciples were deficient because of their lack of fasting. Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.'' The Pharisees fixated on their practice. They couldn't understand that Jesus' disciple were being true to God.
No, the Pharisees were fixated on traditions and laws of men. They lost track of the intent of God's Laws and they blinded themselves to scripture in doing so. SAME as the catholic church.