The Catholic Church is the largest of the Christian denominations. Most people know that it became that way after Constantine consolidated the Roman Empire under Christianity during his reign to prevent political upheaval from the rising Christian movement. What most people don't really understand is that Catholicism, for good or ill, is more of a political organization than it is a church. Although I am not sure of this, I heard that the Catholic Church pays no tax to the American government, and I think I know why if that's true.
Popes throughout time wielded power over the other Duchies of Europe. From the times of post-Roman Britain, the church in Rome threatened thee church in Ireland with war such that the Irish branch, which held Christianity together while Europe tore itself apart, acquiesced to Rome (see "How the Celts Saved Christianity"). It was Rome that authorized the Spanish/French invasion of Britain after Henry's daughter Elizabeth expanded protestantism in that nation. It was Rome that put a price on Martin Luther's head. It was Rome's influence that started the Inquisition. It was Rome that started war with the Muslims. Rome had client kingdoms in Israel until Saladin drove out the Christians. Roman power has always lusted for that land.
Papal ministers enjoy privileges normally accorded to ministers of state. Despite all the lasciviousness engaged in by priests worldwide, how many of them have faced justice before the court tribunal? Most are transferred because Catholicism is a kingdom and the Pope is its head. Each of her buildings are embassies, and each of her priests are ministers of state. As such they are immune from taxes and prosecution in a court of law. The Roman Church owns land in every county, and in many cities, and only the Nation of Catholicism has embassies to cities, towns, and counties.
Ever since the time of the Popes, Catholicism has had its own army. The Pope has his own soldiers, what remains of the Proletariat Guard of Roman times. In ancient days, Popes declared war, and sometimes Popes even went to war. His ministers were considered officials necessarily involved in military decisions. They are after all not just religious zealots but also allied commanders. Their plenipotentiary power even now commands the attention and loyalty of millions of ascribed Christian soldiers across national boundaries, and with some of Pope Francis' recent decisions, I see much more of politic in this pope than in dissemination of the word of God.
Popes pretend and portend to priesthood positions. Rarely, if ever, do you hear them speak as did the prophets of old, declaring in the name of God that people should repent. Now, you hear Pope Francis claim that it matters little what church you attend. It's because he's not interested in a church. Some of these men practice priestcraft, interested not in the difference between good and evil but in those who have the power and those on whom it is exercised. They forget that as soon as a man begins to exercise authority in any degree of unrighteous dominion, then God says amen to that man's authority.
Perhaps this is why so many Catholics detest what they refer to as "organized religion". Their religion isn't organized as a Faith. It is organized as a government, telling them when to sleep and what to eat and whom to take to wife. It teaches for doctrines the commandments of men and popes, having a form godliness, while denying the presence and substance of heaven.
Most of Catholicism's adherents are good people. They are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and are only kept from the truth because their leaders do not want them to find it. When the people could not read, the priests interpreted. When they could not afford books, the priests kept them under lock and key. Now that they can do more, the priests charge them for access to marriages, to use of the buildings and grounds, and even sometimes to the sacraments which Jesus taught would be given without price to all who earnestly and meaningfully seek them. They are being fleeced.
Inga Barks once said, "There is God, and there is government. God is greater than government, and government doesn't like that." The people who run the catholic church probably only think about God in passing. Many of them probably do the right thing, just in case they are wrong and like Constantine don't think much of it until it's time for Last Rites. God is not fooled. The church is not even named after Him. The leaders draw near to Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. Government doesn't like what God decrees, and so, in the form of their papal decrees, the leaders of Catholicism change God's laws. The Serpent is at the head, and it's time the people overthrew their wicked leaders and called for servants of God to replace the servants of mammon. Their works are abominable and lead the people in many instances to err, and it shall be answered on their head. Daniel wrote what happened to the feet of clay. Caveat emperator.
Although this video appeared in response to the 2012 Elections, it remains as prescient as ever. Where will Catholics stand? Will they lift where they stand? Will we?
Some of the things listed are not important, but like it says, some things are not negotiable. "For my ways are higher than thy ways, and my thoughts than thy thoughts; even as the heaven is higher than the earth are my ways higher than thy ways and my thoughts than thy thoughts. (Isaiah)" There is God and there is Government. God is greater than government ever will be.
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