They hate it only because it’s been the most organized, homogenous, powerful, and rich denomination of Christianity. In other words, it’s their primary earthly competitor.

But that hate has nothing to do with the purity (or lack thereof) Catholic doctrine as it pertains to actual Christian belief and Christian living. But make no mistake, they have the same negative opinion of all Christian sects.

Of course, one only has to read a Bible to see where Catholics get it wrong..or simply take in a brief history lesson about the struggle between Martin Luther and the Catholic Church.

And when I say they “get it wrong”, this isn’t a subjective judgment based on my opinion so much as an objective one based on the many contradictions between their doctrine and what the Bible actually says. I’m just the messenger, in other words…and like many others, I’ve just happened to notice.

The short list:

• Praying to saints (in other words, dead men): this is never practiced in the Bible. In fact, attempting to consort with mortal humans who have passed is actually labeled as witchcraft in the Bible.

• Praying to/worshipping Mary: idolatry with a tinge of the above. None of the apostles did this, and yet Catholics do.

• the Clergy as a replacement for Christ: the Bible makes it very clear that there is only one mediator between God and man…and his name doesn’t start with the word “Pope” or “Bishop” or anything else like that. His name is Yeshua.

• the reliance on ritual practices for sanctification as opposed to an actual personal relationship with the Holy Trinity: God wants you to come to him directly, warts and all, through his Son. Christ paid for you to have that access. Saying “20 hail Mary’s” doesn’t absolve you of anything. Only a heartfelt confession followed by repentance to Christ achieves this. And then keeping in that repentance daily.

The Catholics have perverted the gospel from day one. It’s become more perverted to varying degrees over time, sure.

That’s not to say that good Catholics don’t exist or that all Catholics are going to hell, either. There are some who are apparently spirit-filled and genuinely love God. But the doctrine is all sorts of messed up.

Again, if you want to bring the actual Bible into it, at least.

And I’m not a Lutheran, either. I believe Luther was obviously right to criticize the Vatican the way he did. But his followers also have their own issues of doctrine.

The true body of Christ (church) is not a denomination. It isn’t an organization headed by men. It may have people and churches within it, comprising it. But if you want to get a true sense of what the body of Christ actually is, you’ll have a much better chance of seeing it in small, localized prayer groups and Bible studies..and yes, some official churches. But those churches are few and far between these days, unfortunately.

There has been an internal struggle. Jews have been subverting it since day one. But the balance has been priests reaching to the gospel. The problem is, they've steadily corrupted that too. Which is why the reformation took place and very squarely leveled blame against the Jews and their influence on the church. Many argued the corrections didn't go nearly far enough. Accordingly, many corruptions persist. Saints and idols are but some of the common corruptions which persist. That said, without Catholicism, Christianity may not exist today. To be clear, I don't actually consider Catholicism to be Christian. To be so again, as Mel said, would require a reset based on gospel.

Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by works or good deeds. Catholics/Orthodox aren't saved.

This is what Jesus said:

Matthew 7:22 - 23

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.