Did you know that for the first 200 years, the Catholic Church did not believe in transubstantiation? That it was symbolic?
Did you know that Jews and Gentiles were accepted into the Body of Christ?
Did you know that Jesus said it was by Faith and Faith alone that we are saved? The actions of doctrine are not Biblical?
I’m aware of Catholic doctrine - I was raised Catholic for 12 years, and have family who are Catholic (including a priest and a director Christian Education and RCIA director at a local parish).
Catholic doctrine has several issues with scripture, including marriage of priests, transubstantiation (brought up above), baptism of children, and others. I’m willing to consider those small doctrinal issues and worship together; apparently many of you Catholics consider us heretical or unsuitable to be in the Body of Christ, no matter what the Scriptures actually say...
I am sorry PugetSound, but the Church from the very first always believed the bread and wine were actually the body and blood of Christ during the Mass. It was never symbolic. The Councils were held later when erroneous beliefs began to develop and were initiated to correct them. They were not establishing new belief systems, they were held to correct people who had started to fall away from what had always been understood to be Church teaching.
I do know that Jews and Gentiles are accepted into Christ’s Church.
I understand your concerns and I think you would find them overcome if you would read a version of the Gospels in the earliest translations. Make sure your Bible translation is from the earliest known versions.
Also, read some Hahn, Staples or Madrid. I ask you to consider that, if you left the Church when you were 12, you may have a 12 year old’s perceptions of our Church. At least re-examine the Church with an adult perspective and an adult’s understanding. Starting with these three authors will at least guide you in your examination of what the Catholic Church really believes, why it believes, and what its history is. They will bring up every one of your objections and will clarify what is Church teaching and what is hearsay about Church teaching.
Some of what you say about the Church is erroneous. You may have been taught incorrect ideas about Catholicism, from Catholics or Protestants. All any Catholic asks is that you know who we really are and what we really believe before you castigate us. Too many people hate Catholics because of what they think we believe- not for what we actually do believe.
I hope you will continue to investigate these issues. I have great faith in what you will discover!