You become popes when you interpret the scripture personally but claim it to be the universally correct interpretation.
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Uhhhhh, no.
Not by a long shot.
1. We did not/do not wage intense political fights and intrigues--some waged over centuries--manipulating, consolidating, coercing ever greater levels and degrees of political power and calling it Godly.
2. We particularly do not go out with masses of armed troops to take more territory and power unto ourselves.
3. We do not build stacks of castles and layers of bureaucracy on top of toothpick shreds of ASSUMPTION, INFERENCE AND EXTRAPOLATION and pretend that's THE ABSOLUTE HOLY WRIT FROM MT SINAI.
4. We do not claim infallibility.
5. We do not fabricate layers and whole schemas of fantastical magical dogma and pretended history for Mary on top of negligible evidence and considerable evidence to the contrary--all essentially for monitary and political gain.
6. We do not parade around in pontifical splendor facilitating vain glory and idolatrous worship on the part of those bowing and scraping for the chance to kiss our ring.
7. We do not interpose ourselves between God and man and facilitate others doing so in our name.
8. We do not claim that our particular organizational group is the exclusive protectrate and exclusively mandated host to God's only righteous and correct organizational expression on earth.
9. We do not demand that all Christendom conform to our edicts or face damnation or near it.
10. We do not pretend to be the latest of a long line of nonsensically, nonBiblically appointed successors to a pebble of a Christian leader more exhorted than crowned by Christ.
. . .
. . .
The list could go on and on.
We are NOT remotely papal. And many of us would find the assertion extremely insulting and scandalous to imagine such a thing.
But I can appreciate what a convenient little out it seemed like at the time to ignore all such facts above and claim otherwise.
Collectively the Protestants are not, I agree. But arrogating a right of individual interpretation of the scripture is beyond even the papal prerogative.