As someone with heavy exposure to the evangelical protestant side of things, I have to respect the up-frontness, at least. They have canon law, which can’t be re-interpreted on the whim of whatever local priest to suit politics, the churches don’t pretend to be rec centers (or even malls in the 'states), and the priests dress like priests instead of like politicians or car salesmen.
The vagaries of Protestantism allow for a lot of weasel wording and charismatic personalities taking advantage of people - especially really poor people. The Catholic Church hierarchy has 1500 years of well-documented corruption, but I don’t think they have people today running ads promising that every donation towards Pastor McSlimy’s private jet will produce a large financial return through magical means, with staged testimonies suggesting people should forgo essential medical care to donate.
The “grass is always greener on the other side”, though.
As someone with heavy exposure to the evangelical protestant side of things, I have to respect the up-frontness, at least. They have canon law, which can’t be re-interpreted on the whim of whatever local priest to suit politics, the churches don’t pretend to be rec centers (or even malls in the 'states), and the priests dress like priests instead of like politicians or car salesmen.
The vagaries of Protestantism allow for a lot of weasel wording and charismatic personalities taking advantage of people - especially really poor people. The Catholic Church hierarchy has 1500 years of well-documented corruption, but I don’t think they have people today running ads promising that every donation towards Pastor McSlimy’s private jet will produce a large financial return through magical means, with staged testimonies suggesting people should forgo essential medical care to donate.
The “grass is always greener on the other side”, though.