The Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church claims that it never changes. However, critics argue that it has introduced doctrines that are not found in the Bible and has adopted various rites and ceremonies that they believe originated in pagan practices. Some writers have claimed that as much as 75% of the customs and ceremonies of the Roman Church have pagan origins.

Examples often cited include the manner of making the Sign of the Cross, prayers addressed to angels, and the doctrine of Purgatory, which some attribute to developments associated with Pope Gregory I in the 6th century.

The Papacy is also claimed by some critics to have pagan origins. The title “Pope”, meaning “father,” is given to the Bishop of Rome, the leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says: “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, who is in heaven.” Critics interpret this passage as a warning against using the title “father” for spiritual leaders.

Jesus did not appoint Peter as the supreme leader of the apostles, and passages such as Luke 22:24–26, Ephesians 1:22–23, Colossians 1:18, and 1 Corinthians 3:11 are often cited in support of this view.

The practice of kissing the Pope’s feet emerged during the 8th century. Critics note that kissing the feet of emperors was also a custom in the pagan Roman Empire and point to Acts 10:25–26, Revelation 19:10, and Revelation 22:9 as passages discouraging such acts of veneration.

In AD 1870, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of papal infallibility. Critics consider this doctrine to be blasphemous and associate it with the apostasy and the Antichrist described by the Apostle Paul. They commonly cite 2 Thessalonians 2:2–12, Revelation 17:1–9, and Revelation 13:5–8, 18. Some writers have also claimed that the number of the beast (666) can be derived from the Latin papal title “Vicarius Filii Dei.”

The titles “Ocean Star” and “Star of the Sea” have also been discussed by some writers, who argue that they were associated with the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis.

Regarding the apparitions reported at Medjugorje, some critics argue that the figure who appeared to the visionaries—claiming to be a mediator between humanity and God, requesting feasts in her honour, and encouraging the daily recitation of the Rosary—could not have been Mary, the humble and blessed servant of God who gave birth to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They cite 2 Corinthians 11:14, which warns that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.

The Word of God calls His people to come out of Babylon:

“Come out of her, my people, so that you do not share in her sins, and so that you do not receive her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)

The article concludes that true Christians should remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Holy Scriptures and heed the warning of the Apostle Paul:

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)