I was a Catholic for 33 years before being saved by grace and come from a long line of Catholics, at least 5 generations that I can trace back. Now I'm a friend of God anointed with His holy spirit and it tells me what God would have me do and guides me, I need no man, tradition of my dad's, or a house built with the hands of men to justify my faith, or teach me anything when it comes to God, but Looking back, I'd definitely say I was a Christian then as I believed in Christ as all Catholics do. I think the majority of Catholics are decent people and of course Christians that believe "God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son Yahoshua (Jesus) Christ to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for their sins." The problem is that the majority of the people in the RCC are way to trustworthy when it comes to listening to these men,following the examples of their dad's, that they are moved into non-biblical teachings, believing everything the RCC tells them even if it's blatantly false. (Pio, stigmata, Mariam worship,bowing and praying below a statue, the rosary, ect.) These things don't help a Christian grow spiritually or edify them, but blinds and hinders them to the open line they have with God the Father and the LORD our God Yahoshua (Jesus) Christ 24/7. When I shared my testimony of grace with the priest at St. Bonaventure in Huntington beach, Ca, thinking in my head they would embrace me and rejoice in God's mercy towards a sinner like me, he told me that being a Catholic and practicing their theology was the only acceptable way with God and them. He didn't care about the miracle of me receiving the free gift of God. I was instantly a enemy and a protestant....lol. If you don't believe me try and tell them you are seeking God and found Him outside of the RCC, then you will become an enemy and protestant as well no matter how pious or devout you are or were. They wanted me to submit to a house and teaching of men and not to my maker. I could never do that, nor would anyone else with my experience do that.
I love all my brothers and sisters Catholic or not but I have learned the history of the RCC and there is no way now that I would ever go back. Those of you that have left already know where I'm coming from. Yes Catholics are Christian but a lot of their teachings are not.