I respect grassroots Catholics but I do not respect the church hierarchy.
I see the power for good that an organized church has: it provides resources for things like orphanages and schools and the like. But we know that people are sinful and they corrupt everything they touch. To put your faith in a person, or people you can't personally speak to, instead of the Bible is foolish.
IMO, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are the final say in what God says. And that is available to everyone who legitimately seeks God. And don't get me wrong, the Holy Spirit can speak to us through others. But in the end, the Bible doesn't lie. People do.
I respect the Catholics and disrespect the hierarchy. I'm actually even critical of the smaller hierarchy in my Protestant church. Sometimes they are frustrated by it, sometimes they appreciate it. Sometimes I'm wrong, and that's a good thing. I'm flawed just like them.
I respect grassroots Catholics but I do not respect the church hierarchy.
I see the power for good that an organized church has: it provides resources for things like orphanages and schools and the like. But we know that people are sinful and they corrupt everything they touch. To put your faith in a person, or people you can't personally speak to, instead of the Bible is foolish.
IMO, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are the final say in what God says. And that is available to everyone who legitimately seeks God. And don't get me wrong, the Holy Spirit can speak to us through others. But in the end, the Bible doesn't lie. People do.
I respect the Catholics and disrespect the hierarchy. I'm actually even critical of the smaller hierarchy in my Protestant church. Sometimes they are frustrated by it, sometimes they appreciate it. Sometimes I'm wrong, and that's a good thing. I'm flawed just like them.