that's the difference. To accept a pope as basically being Christ on earth and have the authority of Christ, to consider them holy, yet they have mostly been corrupt, why would you be part of an organization? How can you possibly know that some of the religious things you hold dear weren't created by evil men?
Like purgatory...totally NOT a biblical concept, but hey, if you pay the church a certain amount of money, they will pray someone out of purgatory. EVIL money making scheme!
for the first 300 years of Christianity, just about every Bishop of Rome was put to death. yes, some have been bad, just as some of the kings of Israel had been bad, just like some Protestant ministers have been bad, but to say that they have "mostly been corrupt" is way out of line and an overgeneralization.
Do you ask why the prophets of old were part of Israel even though some of their kings had been evil?
as for Purgatory, it is not a scheme, it is a logical and biblical doctrine
1 Corinthians 3:13
their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work
this verse shows that the Judgment will be like fire, not just for the wicked but for all
Matthew 5:25-26
25Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny
this verse is odd, not "thrown in prison forever" but "until you have paid the last penny"
Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
but we still have temptations and minor failings on this earth? even those who have been forgiven still have temptations and make mistakes
so we believe that some time between death and heaven, God removes these faults from us...