Thanks for verifying my point...
Now, care to answer my points that CATHOLICS did all of those things??? thanks for playing...
I just did. There was no protestant reformation until the 16th century, the crusades occurred under Catholic direction from the Vatican in 11,12, and 13th Century. You do the math. The Printing Press was invented in the 15th Century by "Gutenberg", and the Holy Scriptures were translated into languages other than LATIN and into the King James English in 1604.
But, simply because the general public did not have access to the truth found in the Holy Bible does not preclude that record from existing from the 1st century to date. Its simple, The Catholics use Dogma and Tradition to propagate Christianity while the Scriptures teach that it is the Word of God that builds faith, not the Church Hierarchy.
Its a most easy thing to demonstrate through the historical record when certain Catholic Traditions began, with the major change being in 325 when the CHURCH and STATE were incorporated together. But the Scriptures were first perverted long before then, as per the warning contained in the scriptures themselves that such would happen (1 Tim. 4:1-3)
The blessing of WATER before use did not begin until the 2nd century. The Separation of the clergy from the laity (members)..early 2nd century. This in spite of the Scriptural Fact that the Church that the Christ built did not have any separation as each member could approach the throne of God in prayers as each person was considered a Priest with the Christ being the High Priest that we confess our sins to as he stands as advocate between God and our sins (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Special days being set aside for fasting which eventually began the practice of LENT -- 140 AD. Yet the actual Record in Scriptures tell us not to respect certain religious holidays or sabbath as that was the practice under the Old Law not the New (Col. 2:14-17). The wearing of Special Clothes by the Clergy did not begin until the 2nd Century, yet Christ Chastised the Jewish Clergy for doing the same thing, placing themselves above the people they served by marking their SPECIAL Identity with SPECIAL CLOTHES.
The tradition of regional meeting between the clergy began in the 2nd century. Sprinkling used in the stead of WATER BAPTISM in direct contradiction of the SCRIPTURES began in 180 AD. Its a most difficult thing to bury yourself with Christ in a few drops of water. The beginning of MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS during prayer late 2nd century. The dogma of teaching PURGATORY 230 AD.
Making marriage by the Clergy illegal...3rd century. The first OFFICE OF BISHOP 3rd century. Easter was invented 325 AD. Confessing Sins to a priest 329 AD. The practice of CALLING Bishops from large cities ARCH BISHOPS 4th century. Monastic orders. 5th century (separation of certain orders of clergy from the public society). Christmast began in 360 AD. The doctrine of Inherited Sin began in the 400 AD. A Formal announcement that Roman Catholicism was the STATE RELIGION 360AD.
Candles used used in worship as a sacred element 417 AD. Mary was declared the MOTHER OF GOD 470AD. The dogma of TRANSUBSTANTIATION (the tradition that has the elements of the mass becomes the literal body of the Christ 492 AD
The anointing of the dead for spiritual forgiveness 528 AD. Gregory becomes the Archbishop of Rome and declares Rome the center of the universal church. 590 AD. The first official POPE, Boniface the 3rd accepts the title of POPE. The introduction of Organ Music was removed temporally 670 AD The organ was reintroduced in 775 and remains today.
The Eastern Orthodox Church was formed in 1053 when the Pope (Leo IX) excommunicated Michael Cerularius 1053.
Rosary introduced 1090. Sprinkling for ALL PEOPLE instead of some accepted. 1311. Laity does not partake of the CUP 1414. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary 1845. Finally the POPE is declared as GOD ON EARTH and his word stated to be INFALLIBLE 1870.
A little history never hurts anyone.