I was born into an Irish-Catholic family, and despite not practicng for some decades and being pretty thoroughly and happily lapsed, I find the congenital ignorance and bigotry of some of the reviews on here more than a touch repellent. 

Historically, the Catholic Church has a lot to answer for, but they are hardly alone in that, and I'd take them ahead of some of the hollering, snake-juggling, tongue-talking, ignoramuses that pass for religious leaders in some sectors.

First of all, I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed by some of the reviews that have been written by a few reviewers that I generally think quite highly of.  Some of these reviews appear to be just of the "shoot from the hip" variety about something they don't understand. Others are somewhat narrowminded, while a few appear to be just filled with hatred.

I am a practicing Catholic, and I do my best to follow my faith. If you think that poorly of my faith, then that is what you think of me. A lot of the reviewers who are involved in the Catholic bashing below claim to be Christians, but I have to question their attitudes.

Rather then add anything new, or focus more specifically on the uninformed or hurtful reviews below, I think I will just point out a few of the reviews that I found to be well written. GTH, as always left a good review with several helpful updates. Victor83 and TeresaG also left reviews that are definitely worth reading. I also encourage those reading through this list to look at the comments left by AutzenMaven under several reviews, as they give a lot of helpful insight to the matter at hand. And finally, oscargamlesfro's humorous review left me with a smile on my face.

And finally, please think a little before you write, many of us have much more similar beliefs than you may realize. While there are definitely theological differences (and we all think that we are right, otherwise we'd follow a different denomination, now wouldn't we?), all Christians should be striving to follow Christ, and I think that several of the reviews below are doing nothing to help you achieve your final goal.

  WARNING : MOCK REVIEW APPROACHING:

" Aw shit what a  cotton' pickin' crew of misfits...Firstity, you done got them pot o' gold a keepin' whiskey swillin' Irishmen, who done deserved all eight hundredy years of banevelont treatment, now tell me is that some way to express gratitude to people who done set you up  in the most choice barren parts of the land and made you speak a language that ain't so cotton pickin jaw crackin'? A couple of 'em done interrupted a Hee Haw sketch by causin a drunken fight on the set, ah swear one of 'em threw a punch at Roy Clark... Then you got them Frenchards who do a lot better with them womens, they have the affrontery ta done GET WITH someone who ain't kin, plus I don't like them faggoty hats they're a wearin'. Then you get them Maff-ee-a Eyetalians all a tryin to kidnap race car drivers and a tryin' to embarass us by  getting all uppity and a cookin better then we do, and them Spanish who try to rub it in by painting too good...Then you get them...them Pawlish people and all sorts of yurotrash from little countries in the middle of Asia somewheres wif names like Jerbotonski and shit, plus a smattering of them Chinese fellers and them Mexicans we won't even get into..It's anough to make a feller cry, the Pope done come to my house and said "Cletus" I've been a spyin' on you and I'm ah gonna take your Guns and Ammo subscription away..."

Lots of hate going on here, and I just don't get it.  I am a Catholic ~ was baptized and raised in the Catolic church, attended twelve years of Catholic school, and I just have a really hard time reading all of this.  I have been to all types of churches ~ Lutheran, Christian based (which I now attend), Baptist, etc. and the bottom line is ~ the message is almost always the same.  So why the hate?  I read a lot of misinformed people on here ~  no, Catolics don't worship false idols.  We believe Mary to be the virgin mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Louie ~ the Catholic bible says the exact same thing you wrote.  While there ARE some things I disagree with as far as the Catholic Church goes, it is not the devil worshipping pit of hell that some of you are saying it is.  Furthermore, anyone can go on line and read how the Catholic Church came about and write negative things.  BUT, if you are not there ~ then you don't know.  As I've said, there are things I don't agree with in the Catholic church, that is why I attend a Christian based church BUT after 20 years in a Catholic Church and 10 in a Christian Church, the messages are the same.

The roman Catholic Church was established by Constantine, the Roman Emperor of the eastern Roman Empire, at a time when the Christians were becoming a threat to the authorities and there was a need to control them and "persecute" them. Grouping a number of compromised Christians the religion was built out of a mixture of Christian teachings and pagan religion mysticism. Once established as the official Church of the Roman Empire, all who did not adhere to it were considered heretics and enemies of the Empire, were persecuted and even put to death.

It seems that every time I read something about Catholics here (and I am not Catholic), I read posts centered on how "wrong" they are concerning the Bible. Question is, which Bible is "the Bible"? Isn't any answer to that question reliant upon one's personal beliefs? This book has been translated so many times over the centuries; yet I repeatedly see believers in the King James version who are (as far as I can tell) saying that all other versions are crap. How about the translation of Saint Jerome in the 4th Century? I don't get this, and I certainly don't think it should be a basis for "Catholic bashing".

If someone reviews your faith and you don't like what is said, then it is your chance to Biblical call out their misconceptions. Not everyone is going to agree with the Catholic church and it should not be said that people cannot scripturally say things. (Not that anyone has said that.) To be narrow minded on any subject will only cause a person to fail later. All churches fail in certain areas, you only have to look at Paul's writings to see that! To be upset with quote "Catholic Bashings" would suggest that maybe you think that nothing has or will be ever wrong with the Catholic Church.(I'm not saying that anyone has said that!) That's like me saying that Peter in the Bible did no wrong!!!! In MY opinion I would say that the Catholic Church has created problems, due to the belief that anything that comes from the Church is right. In Gods word it admonishes us to be watches over those in Authority over us and test and approve everything. I would in NO way say that the Catholic church has totally got it wrong, as allot of good has come from many within this church. I would say that if error is there, then it should be exposed (whatever denomination!) Im not a Catholic and I dont agree with everything in the Catholic Church, but Im certainly NOT a Catholic hater. Just a hater of incorrect Bible teachings which are contrary to Gods Holy Word!!!! UPDATED 1/28/2007 01:01 I feel that I need to respond to some of the comments I have received to clarify things. So here goes; To have a problem or disagreement with a church that has had people mistreated or hindered is agreeable to A POINT. But have we not forgotten that Man is the one that did it. To put a whole church on blame, is putting everyone in same bowl!! If a church does NOTHING in CORRECTING and DICIPLING that person or people, then you can rightly stand up against this church and its beliefs !!!!! As for the Catholic doctrine, anything can really be put as scriptural, if it is out of CONTEXT. Unfortunately many churches do that and they are wrong. Because God's word should be used entirely in context. Claiming that writings etc is an example of why this doctrine is right or wrong, is not a valid answer. (especially if Biblically it is wrong and it is a heresy.)

Let me address the "Catholic Bashing" of late. I have friends who are of the Catholic faith who do not worship idols, believe Mary is only the mother of Jesus "the man" and is not God-like herself. They call themselves Christians and are devoted to serving the Lord. I personally do not understand all of the ends and outs of the Catholic Church and I'm sure I would not agree with everything they do (I don't agree with everything my church does either). I do not agree with anyone getting bashed and at this moment it's the Catholic Church.

Is it not self-evident that, other than those who study doctrine, opinions on Catholicism and Catholics often arise from limited and therefore perhaps misinformed perception? Certain distinction might be called for between critizing Catholics, even lapsed- or non-practicing members who are no less moral and ethical than people of other persuasion, and individuals who are Catholics merely by name and convenience, of whom History gives testimony. Or could it be, as might be discerned from Autzen's postings, merely a case of opportunism to bash Catholics out of mistrust and prejudice? Should the latter be the case, these debates are infertile. And the same goes for misinformed criticism by any of us of any other Faith or traditions.

UPDATE JANUARY 21, 2007. I sheepishly admit that GenghisTheHun has not put much wear and tear on church furniture over the years, but I have deeply studied theology. I draw this conclusion. Catholic theologians have forgotten more theology than the ranting, goober, cultish, fundamentalist, panhandling, television preachers and their serfs, including some on this site ever learned.

ORIGINAL COMMENT: The Orthodox-Catholic schism took place in 1054 A.D. Some minor doctrinal points were at issue but the biggest issue was the primacy and supremecy of the Pope as Patriarch of the West (Rome). The other Patriarchs, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem resented Rome and as the power of the Eastern Emperor declined and the western nations rose, the division became more acute. By the time of 1054, Jerusalem and Alexandria were under the jurisdiction of the infidel, and Antioch would become precarious after Manzikert in 1071.

UPDATE: Well I ran out of space on the other listing of Catholics. Whew! I made a simple declaration of fact about history and it smoked out all the Catholic haters on this site. I love being for the underdog, and I think I am going to renounce my hunnic beliefs and start taking instructions with the Jesuit Fathers so I can see what all the hatred is about. I have read that anti-Catholicism is the only fashionable prejudice that can be uttered. Say something against the Jews, or the racial minorities, or the Muslims and see where you get! Latin Mass, here I come!

ADDITIONAL UPDATE: I see the biblicans are at it again. Rather than going through a Bronze Age and Iron Age document to point out how modern usuages differ, I ask, where does the Bible mention the Trinity for instance? Whenever, the Catholics, Orthodox, mainline Protestants have some practice or usage that has grown up over the centuries, and based they say, upon the Bible, the fundamentalists jump on it and yell non-biblical falling back on the old tried and true literal interpretation argument. Whenever the fundamentalists come up with a chesnut such as pre-trib rapture, or rapture itself, that is exegesis, and that's ok. Well my friends, do we have a smell of inconsistency or even hypocrisy here?

To many molestations for my tastes. Plus they are responsible for the Roman hijacking of Christianity that is still causing problems today. UPDATE: Some may not like what I'm saying. Tough. I always have been treated like crap by Catholics. I even had a Catholic Chaplain refuse to minister to me because I wasn't Catholic. WTF is that!?!

I don't understand what people get out of an organized religion, but the practitioners of Catholicism seem, for the most part, to be more reality based than some of the more fundamental practitioners of organized Christianity (although, some of the ceremonies that Catholics perform are just downright weird....). Most of the Catholics that I know, at least have the wisdom to question the direction of their Church, and the conduct of it's leaders. There are some rigid ideologues within, but for the most part they are a mostly independent minded body of believers who aren't afraid to embrace concepts such as; science and evolution, openmindedness with regards to people of different faiths, races, sexual orientation, etc,etc...And some are even liberal to moderate on social issues... The Church represents a good cross-section of America as a whole.... I can understand those who would use theological arguments when rating the Catholic belief structure a 1, and bashing Church leadership is perfectly justified in my opinion, but I will never understand, for the life of me, anyone who claims that their brand of faith is the one true path. I think Catholicism, in the hands of a grounded practitioner is at worst, a harmless pasttime- at best, a conduit for spiritual fulfillment.

Souljunkie has given us an excellent witness of what Catholicism has done to its adherents. Because it encourages one to place their faith in a man-made religious system of works instead of in the Person of Jesus Christ; it elevates faith to be an entity unto itself without a sure foundation. When the system fails them, as men will do, such ungrounded faith suffers a serious blow from dissolutionment. When one's faith is placed firmly upon the One Who has secured our salvation, even though perhaps weak, it will abide so that we will persevere in Christ. Many Catholics who leave Catholicism often abandon their faith as well. This is the tragedy of all those caught up in cultic/ idolatrous systems. Catholicism with its false gospel of sacramental works has put itself and its papal leader in the place of our true Mediator, Jesus Christ; which is why its followers can never be certain of their salvation. Protestants hold to the authority of scripture because this is how they were able to escape the errors of Catholicism. We see the scripture as a precious gift because it is through God's revealed word that we come to know and love our Savior who is the Living Word of God. I have met practicing Catholics who did not even know that Jesus is alive! Rom 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. If you build up your faith upon the foundation laid for us in scripture you will know the One in Whom you believe is faithful, and you will have boldness to approach the throne of God in your time of need with confidence that you will receive His help. When you do that, calling upon the name of the Lord in true faith, you will find the assurance you need to sustain that faith that comes only by the grace of God and not by works.

I was raised a Catholic, tride and true. As I grew I fell away from the church completely. Not God...The Church. I realized that no group of humans should tell one how to deal with their faith or relationship with God. I also became aware that The Bible is something that will be interpreted differently by all those who read it. I believe that is the genius of it. I have never read the bible completely. I remember how much genesis effected me simply becasue it was a great story. Surprisingly, in my Catholic school/church studies growing up there was very little focus on the bible itself and a whole lot of focus on The Catholic laws and tradition. This kind of supports the typical view of Protestant types who I admit usually focus completely on the Bible word and know much more about it. I can understand that that is a good suit of armor when trying to break down the validity of the teaching of the Catholic Church and futhermore, The Catholic Church has recently done a pretty good job of defacing itself by its politics where so much scandal and perversness is concerned. I dont feel sorry for them a bit. On the other hand, what I see here is expressly why I have bought out of the concept of religion altogether. Who of any of us is really qualified to question whos interpretaion is the right one? No one will be able to convince me that they are this supreme judgment. I would laugh at anyone who tried to. This is what FAITH is all about. We all have our different Faith basis. I applaud all of those with Faith. (give exception to those who feel thier faith warrants killing others). If this has done anything positive for me it is the fact that now I have read some view/questions that make me curious enough to pick up a bible and look for some answers myself. But I can guarentee this...even after I do, I will still feel the same, and I will 'interpret' what I read differently than what any of you would. The Bible is for all christians. What it gives us all is a base to build our beliefs on. I hope none of us spends to much time trying to legitimize their own views. Just feel strong about haveing faith. It is a gift of a kind isnt it? Thank all of you for making me think. Peace.

Here's another question: Why is it that Catholics believe they can pay their way into heaven and also donate money in order for others to get into heaven? This is the basis of a cult. Oh gee Canada, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. There is a difference between bashing as you call it, and having a discussion of what we feel is wrong.

I'm not a practicing Catholic, but I sense a lot of bashing here. How disappointing. Then again, considering this site, how typical.

Well put GoneAway...Not much needs to be added here, but many Evangelicals wrongly consider Catholicism just another Christian denomination. The Apostle Paul had some very strong language to those that added anything to the gospel:I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, Galatians 1:6-9.

This category takes in a lot of different sub-sects. The most obvious breakdown is between Roman (or Latin Rite) Cathoics and the Eastern Rite Catholics. There are lots of subsects in each of those categories as well - Coptics, Maronites, Antiochean, etc. There sometimes is confusion between the Eastern Rite Catholics and the Greek Orthodox Catholics. My history may be a bit rusty, but the Greek Orthodox split off from the Roman, or Western Catholics, refusing to obey the Pope, claiming that they were more orthodox than the Romans. These were dubbed the schismatics. Subsequently, the Eastern Rite Catholics broke away from the Orthodox Eastern church and reunited with the Western (Roman) Cathoics, and became known as the Uniates. It's really confusing, even if you're Catholic to begin with.