I read a list of the top 10 most Evil Organizations in History.
It was surprising that the Catholic Church came in #5. They were behind the Chinese Communist Party, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (under Stalin), the Kmer Rouge and the Nazi Regime obviously, but I wouldn't have ranked the Catholic Church in the top 10 for most evil.
I guess the reason for inclusion of the Catholic Church in that ranking is Deception.
The others made no pretenses and didn't hide what they were. The Church, however, claims to help people and gains their trust, which in a way is far more devious and destructive.
Because they are not fellow Christians. Their Christ is not the Christ of the Bible: he still hangs on a cross - defeated, impotent, powerless. They do not worship the risen Christ who overcame sin and death, that is not sufficient: they must perform meaningless unbiblical rituals to gain forgiveness (confession, reciting the rosary etc). They do not have access to the Throne of Grace by the Blood of Jesus - the priests act as intermediaries - totally unscriptual: when Jesus died the veil of the temple was torn; by faith we have access to the Father. Jesus is out high priest. But he is not the central figure of worship, the Queen of Heaven/Astarte takes the limelight, along with other idols. Read "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola & George Barna and http://www.mtc.org/rc_bible.html
No longer a Catholic but I wouldn’t say it’s fair to say that Jesus is not the central figure of worship for the Catholic Church.
The way in which the Roman church began to practice the faith over the course of history probably looked strikingly different to how it was practiced by the first disciples. But so too would a Mega church service look strikingly different to the earliest Christians.
Its not just Jesus that's been pushed aside, his teaching has been been replaced by the catechism and other man made nonsense. Very few catholics have read the Bible or observe the 10 commandments. Its pretty well do what you like, go to confession, say a few hail Marys and start again. Most churches (of all denominations) are nothing more than social clubs.
Read 2000 years of theology, study for forty years.
Talk to me then. You have no idea who I am.
Jesuit shill by the sound of it. Theology v live faith and worshiping God in Spirit and Truth. Hm, wonder which wins out. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.