In all my years in the Methodist Church, I was never taught that paganism corrupted Catholicism. Now this may have been the view of John Wesley, but as far as I know his gripes were with the Anglican Church, which he broke from.
Of course, I can only speak for the Methodist pastors that I came in contact with, and have no idea about others in the denomination nor what other Protestant churches teach.
This notion of a 'corrupted' Catholic Church, is more recent than the teachings of Wesley.
Thank you! Your insights as a convert are always appreciated.
I am a Methodist Pastor and John Wesley had a typical Reformation view of Catholicism.
He commonly referred to "papists," and I believe (fairly certain of this) that I've read him using "antichrist" verbiage in regard to the pope.
His articles of religion, particularly the one on Holy Communion, are not flattering at all toward Catholicism.
But wouldn't you say that paganism corrupts all religions?
However, I do think the historical connotation was toward the Catholic Church. The Letters to the Churches by John in Revelation are an excellent indication that paganism has been around forever!
(Yes, I know there are examples even before the time when Revelation was written.)