Try doing this, read what is said here in context. We do not make individual Romans to "be bad". We do however, scrutinize, test and oppose the Roman organization on those matters which are anti-Biblical and anti-Christian.
So please be honest to make the disctinction between the opposition to the heirarchy and dogma of Rome and the individual Romans themselves, as we do.
I am afraid I have to ask you to follow your own advice.
It is so much easier for protestants to point at mistakes the Catholic Church made over time, especially the time of the anti-popes, or when a pedophile sneaks ends up in their pulpit, than it is to actually get to know Catholics, as individuals, and understand their faith.
They are not the only church that has made mistakes.
They are not the only church that has questionable dogma.
I've heard Baptists say "all this love stuff is crap". To which my reaction is, "Be sure and tell Christ that when you get to heaven. IF you get to heaven."
I've heard it taught from Baptist pulpits, the same pulpit and the same minister in fact, that the wine Christ created at the wedding feast and drank at the last supper was not fermented grapes, and was really just grape juice, yet, in the NEXT sermon, teach that Paul recommended wine to Timothy because fermented grapes have a healing affect on certain stomach problems. Hello?
There have been protestant pedophiles.
There have been people like Jim Jones in this world, and people who make the mistakes of Oral Roberts.
There are people who swear "dancing is a sin," and "not tithing will send you to hell," while at the same time preaching, "You are saved by grace, not of works."
There are people who teach a piano is a sin.
There are people who teach dancing is the same thing as adultery.
Do I believe that the Pope is the chosen representative of God on earth?
No more than any other Christian is.
Does that mean I think the Pope is evil?
Absolutely not. The Pope, as near as I can tell, tries harder to actually live by God's word than any human being I know.
Do I think babies should be baptized?
According to all the Catholic priests I know, that is basically a version of "child dedication," and is not meant to substitute for a personal relationship with Christ.
Do I think that baptism should be a believers confession? Yes, actually I do. So I disagree with Catholics on when it should take place, HOWEVER, I was also taught, as a Baptist, that baptism is an act of obedience, and NOT what actually saves you. Ergo - - I feel pretty sure that when told, "I'm sorry, Lord, I really thought I understood what you wanted," the Lord will be more interested in the attempt to do His will than He will in the tiny detail of the law.
I am sure of that because His word tells me that. "The law was made to serve men, not men the law." "You have made the traditions of men, above the word of God."
Etc.
Now, if you have a specific issue with any particular Catholic belief (and I do), discuss that ONE ISSUE in LOVE and Tolerance and BROTHERHOOD and with a Christian attitude.
I try to do that.
I don't agree with a whole lot of Protestants either.
But to say that a person is not a Christian, simply because they are Catholic is not just wrong, it is very unChristian.
Christ said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Now, I know, and you should know, believe in this use means, 'Surrender your life to Christ." Can you HONESTLY say that you think that Catholics do NOT love Christ, and do NOT try to serve Christ?
They do not worship the pope as if he is god.
They look to him to interpret scripture. They look to him for guideance.
Or at least MOST of them do.
Sure, there will be a few that go beyond that to idolatry toward him, but that is NOT what the doctrine of the Catholic church teaches.
