it is.. But it keeps them from seeing the truth
One might ask, "why do you continue to wear those shoes?" The other will say, "These are good enough." We don't toss out our shoes until we need new ones.
People seek an alternate explanation should the one they own fail them.
The Truth is always there.
You said, " Indulgences were sold" and stated that you were surprised that I am still a Catholic because indulgences were sold by men of The Church specifically saying the "Pope sold indulgences". You NEVER said anything about it being a doctrine of The Church. You made it sound like you were only against men of The Church taking money for indulgences. So, now that you have become clearer in your argument, we can have a discussion that is on the same page.
But first: Do you know what The Church teaching is on indulgences?
Curious mary
That's my point. I don't care to know what the church teaching is because it was openly practiced.
My apologies if this is a repeat post. I don't know.
Please allow me to take another track.
Mary,
It's a matter of trust, confidence, reliability and credibility.
The Catholic Church claims to have "belief authority" over all of Christendom. What is "belief authority"? The Catholic Church takes to itself the right and power to dictate and enforce both belief and practice.
Consider the The Anathemas of the 2nd Council of Constantinople. To say that someone is "anathema" is to strongly suggest that such a person is damned and going to hell.
In my view, I think it presumptuous that a group of people who claim to be followers of Christ would convene such a council and declare that a bunch of people are going to hell.
But anyway, there it is.
It's a question of credibility. In light of issues like the granting of indulgences and the existence of pedophelia one can certainly doubt the credibility of the Catholic church as the arbiter of who is or is not anathema. The clergy are compromised and the entire system is filled with corruption and false teaching.
Such things as Pedophilia would never be found or sanctioned among a body of men who have genuine moral authority.
Doesn't that seem more than a bit odd to you?