Chapter 19
Catholic Myths
The Catholic Church is built on man-made myths. These myths are like the operating system of a computer. The operating system continually works in the background. It determines how everything else functions. However, most people are not aware of it. They just focus on the programs that they are using.
Following are some Catholic Myths that draw people into the Catholic Church and make it difficult for them to leave.
MYTH: There is an unbroken chain of apostolic succession. It goes back to the Apostle Peter, upon whom Jesus Christ built the Church.
MYTH: All Catholics share the same beliefs. Only the Catholic Church has unity and stability.
MYTH: The Pope is called “Holy Father,” so he must be a holy man.
MYTH: The Catholic Church is called “Holy Mother Church,” so whatever it does must be good and holy.
MYTH: Popes are infallible. It is impossible for them to teach false doctrines.
MYTH: I can’t get to Heaven without the priests and the sacraments. I have to depend on the Catholic Church for my salvation.
MYTH: God is distant. I need a bridge to get to Him. Mary and the saints give me that bridge. They understand me. They pray for me.
MYTH: Matters of religion are too deep and too difficult for me to understand. Only Holy Mother Church is capable of dealing with them. If I will just put my mind and my conscience in her hands, then she will get me to Heaven.
MYTH: I cannot understand the Bible by myself. Only Catholic clergy are qualified to understand it.
MYTH: My prayers aren’t good enough. I need to have Mary and the saints pray for me. God will listen to them.
MYTH: I don’t have to test things and discern things for myself, because God protects the Catholic Church from error. All I have to do is learn and obey.
As I have shown in this book, when you study Scripture and Church history, you discover that these myths have no basis in reality. But it is amazing how much power they have over people.
Doctrine is not the primary thing that holds people in the Catholic Church. The power is in the myths. They give credibility to false doctrines. They make unbiblical practices seem reasonable. They give power to mind control, and make it seem reasonable, or even desirable.
If you are a Catholic, and you are reconsidering your faith, please read the “Afterword” and “Eternal Life.” God is faithful. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) He promised to make everything work out for our good if we love Him. (Romans 8:28)
You may face some challenges, but God will be faithful to get you through them. And a time will come when you will rejoice because you will have a kind of relationship with Jesus Christ that you never realized you could have. It will be more than worth the effort.
Jesus, You're the friend who'll never leave me.
You're the friend who’ll always understand.
You will not forsake me or deceive me.
You'll stay by my side until the end.
When I'm afraid, You'll put Your arm around me.
You're the faithful friend who's tried and true.
No matter what the troubles that surround me
You will find a way to get me through.
Your love is strong, it's deeper than the ocean.
It's higher than the moon and stars above.
When earth and stars are gone and time has ended,
I'll still live, rejoicing in Your love.
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