This thread speaks a lot of the unbiblical traditions and paganistic practices of the Catholic Church. But what about the unbiblical traditions and paganistic practices of the Protestant Church? Are we partial because we belong to a certain denomination and seek to justify ourselves? Protestants killed in the same was as the Catholics did, contrary to the doctrine of Christ. Catholics gives respect unto Mary and the priests, Protestants give the same level of respect unto the pastors and the elders. Catholics claim Catechism with Scripture, Protestants claim Scripture alone, even though both forget about the Spirit of God.
If we are going to condemn the practice of one, we must be consistent and condemn the very same practice in the other. otherwise we are partial, and you know what James wrote on that.
I don't like that anyone not Catholic is labeled Protestant and viewed as believing the same as everyone in that category. The "protestant" group is a wide area and not all "protestants" are going to Heaven. Simply put, not all protestants believe in the same Gospel message and not all have the truth in them. If they did there would be no divisions/denominations. Denominations are the result of disagreements, hence separations occur. I think it was Paul who warned of this happening when he spoke to the churches.
Those who have the truth know it. Not everyone professing to be Christian is actually Christian. The sad thing is on judgement day many will find out and it will be too late for them. They will plead only to be told to "depart". If a person is not born again they will not see Heaven.
1 John is the book to read to test yourself to see if you're really a Christian!!!
Satan knows who has the truth and while he has never been able to destroy the bible completely he's corrupted the Gospel message by introducing false teachings into many churches, he's tried to encourage people to trust in the pope/priests to interpret (discouraging them from looking to God and His word for themselves). He has persecuted and killed many saints who would not deny the truth or deny Christ, all of them bible believing Christians who would not pledge allegiance to Roman authority. Satan has killed many of God's children and continues to do so.
Those with the truth don't murder, it is those who do not have the truth that are vulnerable to being deceived, easily being used as puppets, carrying out the work of Satan, killing the true church of God. Do you see?
The only reason there is a lot of focus on Catholicism lately is because they are the religion involved in end time prophecy and there is concern for anyone involved in that religion. But anyone not in God's family is in the world... this means anyone who is not born again.
From what I understand, as head of State popes are immune to prosecution. However, in God's eyes -
Rev 18: "For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities"