Roman Catholicism

Draft #todo

"Catholic" means universal. The true Catholic Church is that body of believers in Jesus Christ who are known by Him, regardless of time, place, or other identifiers. It is this Catholic church that the Apostles Creed refers to.

Referring Roman Catholicism as "The Catholic Church" is not accurate. However, colloquially we know what we are talking about when we say "Catholic."

Indictments against Roman Catholicism

The gospel of Jesus Christ being bound up in implicit faith in priests.

Syncretism

Mary = virgin goddess

"In Greek and Roman mythology, several goddesses are distinguished by their perpetual virginity. These goddesses included the Greek deities Hestia, Athena, and Artemis, along with their Roman equivalents, Vesta, Minerva, and Diana." Wikipedia
Mary is said to be a perpetual virgin despite the Bible stating that she did not have sexual relations with Joseph until Christ was born, and that He had brothers (Matthew 1:25 & 13:55). They claim that these were instead cousins.
Why would this have been syncretized?
- Artemis/Diana was understood to have been worshipped worldwide. When the Ephesians perceived that Apostles threatened her worship, the entire city was thrown into confusion and they chanted in protest against the apostles for two hours. Acts 19:27-34

Nuns = vestal virgins

"In ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins or Vestals were priestesses of Vesta, virgin goddess of Rome's sacred hearth and its flame. The Vestals were unlike any other public priesthood. ... They were supervised by a senior vestal but chosen and governed by Rome's leading male priest, the pontifex maximus—in the Imperial era, this meant the emperor. ...
Vesta's acolytes vowed to serve her for at least thirty years, study, and practice her rites in service of the Roman State, and maintain their chastity throughout."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestal_Virgin

Pope = Pontifex Maximus

The Pope retains this title to this day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifex_maximus