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Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Every doctrine unique to Catholicism is wrong.

I would mostly like to see responses from Catholics, but Lutherans could probably chime in as well. From what I know of Lutherans, they are very close to Catholics.

In this particular post, I am not looking to argue about the existence of God. I'm expecting that to be the positive assumption of anyone replying. 

To give a little background on myself and where my views are coming from, my beliefs fall under the broad umbrella of protestant doctrines, I attend a baptist church, and I believe the Bible to be God's intentional finished revelation to mankind.

I am going to list, one by one, some of the most commonly known Catholic doctrines, and compare them to what we are taught in scripture. The objective in this CMV will be to either correct me if I have misrepresented a Catholic teaching, or convince me that my interpretation of scripture is incorrect in respects to anything listed.

The Catholic Church is heavily built around traditions which have been invented and passed down over the course of the last 2,000 years. When studying the history of the Catholic Church, it becomes obvious that their doctrine evolves over time. It has changed so much in fact that it is now barely recognizable when compared to the teachings of the 1st century apostles. The scriptures are the Holy Word of God and cannot be put aside for the traditions of men. Mark 7:7-8


**The Pope**

The Catholic Church believes that Jesus appointed the Apostle Peter to be the founder and head of the church. They believe that Jesus instilled the property of infallibility in Peter so that he could lead the church without error. Peter would then eventually need to appoint a new leader in his place to whom he would pass on his infallibility so that the church could continue through time and always have a leader in place who could perfectly maintain and direct the church.

Matthew 16:17-19 records a conversation between Jesus and Peter. In these verses Jesus says that it is by Peter that his church will be established. This does seem to imply that Peter would be responsible for getting the church started, but does this text imply that Peter was given divine authority and primacy over all other church heads across the world? Or does this text simply record Jesus giving Peter recognition for his future importance in spreading the Gospel? No other text in scripture suggests that Peter had more authority than any other church leader. Ephesians 2:19-20 suggests that the church is built on all the apostles.

Nowhere does scripture state that in order to keep the church from error, the authority of the apostles was passed on to those they ordained. The practice of electing new popes, each able to lead the church without error, is a man made idea that is contrary to scripture. In Galatians 1:8-9, Paul writes that NO ONE not even angels of Heaven should be trusted if they give a gospel message that is different from what has been originally preached. It does not matter WHO is teaching, it matters WHAT is being taught. 1Timothy 5:19 predicts that from time to time false teaching will arise from church leadership. The Bible would suggest that no infallible Pope is necessary to keep the church from error because scripture itself is the key to separating truth from error. *"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God will stand forever."* Isaiah 40:8

*"The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the Heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once and for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever."*  - Hebrews 7:23-28

Those verses from the Book of Hebrews is referring to Jesus, not the Pope. Jesus is our High Priest. We have no need for another.


**The Eucharist**

Catholics believe in a ritual called transubstantiation, where bread and wine are literally transformed into the blood and body of Christ for the purpose of re-sacrificing him every Sunday.

Luke, Matthew, and 1Corinthians all record the words of Jesus when he is talking to his apostles at the last supper. Jesus takes bread, breaks it, and gives it to his disciples saying, "This is my body that is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." The breaking of the bread is symbolic for how Jesus' body would later be broken and bloodied. He tells us to break the bread in remembrance of him. I'm not sure how the Catholic tradition was ever interpreted from this.

In John 19:30, right before Christ died, he said "it is finished." Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27, and Hebrews 10:10-12 each emphasize that Christ's sacrifice was a one time thing. Thinking that Jesus' death on the cross was not enough, and that his sacrifice must be repeated every week, cheapens what he did for us.

Partaking in this symbolic eating and drinking is very important. Not only is it a direct command from our Lord to do so, but it is for our good that each time we do it, we deeply consider Christ's sacrifice, what he went through, and where we'd be without it. Such thinking will produce a reverence of God and bring glory to his name. We do not partake in "communion" as if it is a good work that somehow earns us favor from God. That idea is taught nowhere in scripture.


**Mary and the Saints**

The Bible is absolutely clear that we are to worship God alone. All followers of the Lord refuse worship. In Acts 10:25-26, Peter tells a man not to worship him because he is only a man. In Revelation 22:9, even Angels rebuke those who worship them, and rather point their worship towards God.

Catholics attempt to bypass Scripture by claiming they do not "worship" Mary or saints, but rather that they only "venerate" them. Changing the word does not change what is being done. Even the concept of veneration is not supported by Scripture.

Some Catholics will claim that they worship God through Mary, by praising the wonderful creation that God has made. Mary in their minds is a beautiful and wonderful creation of God, and by praising her, they are praising her Creator. The problem with this is that God explicitly commands against worshipping Him through created things. We are not to bow down and worship the form of anything in Heaven or Earth. Exodus 20:4-5. Romans 1:25 addresses the matter very specifically. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised." Yes, God has created wonderful and amazing things, but we are absolutely not to worship God vicariously by praising things or people He created. Doing so is blatant idolatry.

The major way Catholics venerate Mary and the saints is by praying to them, but prayer to anyone other than God alone is anti-biblical. 1 Timothy 2:5  Prayer is an act of worship. When we pray to God, we are admitting that we need his help. Directing our prayers to anyone other than God is robbing Him of the glory that is His alone. Jesus and the Holy Spirit can hear our prayers and petition the Father on our behalf, but scripture does not teach us that such a job belongs to any other being. Praying to a dead saint is idolatry.
(On a side note, repeating prayers in the form of chanted verses is condemned by Jesus. Matthew 6:7 Jesus compares those who pray this way with pagans. Such practice can be seen in repeating "Hail Mary's" and "The Lord's Prayer." Prayer should be thoughtful and heart-felt, not thoughtless recitation of memorized words.)

Another way Catholics venerate Mary and the saints is by creating statues and images of them. Many Catholics use images of Mary or the saints as good luck charms. This is blatant idolatry. (another side note, rubbing rosary beads is also idolatry.)

Terminology is not the issue. Whether the practice is described as worship or veneration, the problem is the same. Any time we ascribe something that belongs to God to someone else, it is idolatry. The Bible nowhere instructs us to revere, pray to, rely on, or idolize anyone other than God. God alone is worthy to receive praise and worship.

The Catholic Church also teaches that Mary was a perpetual virgin, implying that Jesus was her only child. Not only is this false, but the idea that remaining a virgin would somehow make her more righteous is anti-biblical. Mary did not remain a virgin after the birth of Jesus. Matthew 12:46 & 13:55-56, Luke 8:19, Mark 3:31, John 7:3, Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19
All of these verses talk about Jesus' siblings.

Returning one last time to the subject of the saints. The Catholic Church gives the title of "saint" to only selected individuals who's works have deemed them worthy. There is nothing in scripture that teaches this. Instead, anytime you read the word "saint" in scripture, it is used to describe any believer who has faith in Christ.


**Salvation**

*"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one can boast."* Ephesians 2:8-9

*"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."* John 5:24

*"...and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."* 1Peter 1:4-5

*"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law."* Romans 3:28

*"For all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved."* Romans 10:13

*"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."* Romans 5:1

*"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith."* Galatians 3:24

God mentions this so many times because he does not want this to be misunderstood. There is no question more important than, "how is a person saved?" Catholics believe that faith in Jesus is only the beginning of salvation, and that further meritorious works are required to be right with God. The whole purpose of Jesus' sacrifice was that it would atone for our sins in a way that good works simply could never do. Isaiah 46:6 tells us that our righteous works are like filthy rags. They could never earn us anything from God. In John 19:30, Jesus says "It is finished." just before he takes his last breath. The Greek word translated as "It is finished" is tetelestai, which is an accounting term usually used to mean "paid in full." Jesus was declaring the debt owed to his Father as wiped away completely and forever. After he removed the debt of our sins, what is left for works to accomplish?

What purpose then do works have in the life of a Christian? James 2:14-26 does a great job of explaining it. Faith alone saves us from judgement. Our faith is evident by our works. If we claim to have faith yet no works can be found in us, James suggests we actually do not have faith at all. If we love Christ, we will do good works even though it is not a requirement of salvation, but if we do not do good works, where can our love for Christ be seen? Do we have love for Christ if we do not do good works?


**Baptism**

Catholics will teach that we cannot be receivers of God's salvation unless we are baptized. They will say that it is necessary for the removal of original sin and therefore they will baptize infants. This teaching goes against very important and clearly explained biblical truths. Salvation comes at the moment someone places faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, not at the moment of baptism. Ephesians 1:13 says that God sealed our salvation when we heard the gospel and believed.

Baptism does nothing to remove the curse of original sin. This should be obvious by the fact that after being baptized, we continue to sin.

Following God's command to be baptized is something that could be called a "good work." Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation has nothing to do with good works. If salvation could be earned by completing tasks, we would not have needed Christ. A belief in salvation earned by works disregards the purpose of Christ's sacrifice.

We know salvation does not require baptism because we are given the example of the thief on the cross next to Jesus who repents and places his faith in Jesus. This man did not have a chance to be baptized.

If we know that the Bible teaches salvation by faith, then we cannot baptize infants who are too young to understand the Gospel. Each person is saved according to their own faith. God will not save a child just because someone else forcibly baptized them.

So what is baptism then? It is a public declaration of faith. Baptism is a person of faith declaring to the world that they are identifying with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is always why baptism is meant to be full immersion in water. Going all the way under the water is a picture of Christ's death and burial. Coming back up out of the water is symbolic of his resurrection from the dead. You do not get this illustration from the sprinkling of water, or the pouring of water over the head.

Baptism is always a matter of identity. It is how a saved person identifies with Christ's sacrifice. It is that same reason why Jesus was baptized. Did Jesus need to be baptized to remove his sins? Of course not, he was sinless, but he needed to be baptized so he could identify with all of us. He needed to be our perfect substitute, and that sacrifice meant he needed to identify with us through baptism.


**Personal Notes**

As a child, I was made to attend Catholic mass every Sunday. I've also attended a couple masses in more recent years. It's been my experience that Catholic mass really does not offer anything spiritually to those who attend. The service consists of 2 or 3 scripture readings which many times are read out of context or with no context at all. The sermon is short, many times not relating to or explaining the meaning of previously read passages. The sermon will almost never do anything to stir you spiritually or to develop you into a mature Christian that is always growing in faith. The whole service is mostly composed of the ceremonial recitation of memorized responses to familiar prompts.

I can recall my classes I took as a young teenager that were meant to prepare me for Catholic confirmation. During these classes we never once opened a Bible or learned about scripture.

Studying Catholic Church history should be alarming for those who support Catholic leadership. In past centuries, commoners were not even given access to Bibles. Scripture was translated into the dead language of Latin for the purpose of restricting readers. People were burned as punishment for attempting to translate scripture into the common language. It was completely normal for priests and monks to be appointed before they had even fully read a Bible. Such was the case for Martin Luther the reformer, who upon actually studying scripture realized its teachings were absent from the church.
gpt
You misunderstand the Catholic concept of prayer to/veneration of saints.

When you're going through a tough time in your life, it is pretty common for other (living) people to pray for you. And it is also common to ask others to pray for you in this way. This idea of an *intercessory* prayer is also found in the Bible (1 Timothy 2:1-2). So asking other living Christians to pray for you is certainly not wrong.

Why, then, should it be wrong to ask other Christians who are dead to pray for you? Physically, they may be dead, but spiritually they are alive in Christ. It would be a poor eternal life indeed if we could not pray to God in Heaven! Furthermore, over centuries the Catholic Church has recorded countless miracles that occurred after a prayer for intercession from a saint: if God actually disapproved of these prayers, why would He grant these miracles?

Similarly, we honor those living Christians we believe are worthy of honor.  We even regularly honor people who are meritorious in non-spiritual capacities, such as political figures, doctors, etc.
Why then, should it be wrong to also honor dead Christians, who are alive in Christ? This is all that veneration of the saints is. Note that this is distinct from the type of adoration that is due to God alone, and which we give neither to living people nor saints.