Protestants Have No Idea What a Protestant Is: Part 2
Part One: https://paulspassingthoughts.com/2018/12/05/protestants-have-no-idea-what-a-protestant-is/
“I have come to the conclusion that people who go to church are most definitely trusting in the church institution for their salvation. This is the gospel of authority. This is why anything goes in church and people still submit to its claim on authority over salvation. It’s the magical yellow bus going to heaven. No matter how banged up the outside is, no matter how bad the body needs a new paint job, and regardless of how nasty the inside is and what’s all over the seats, it’s the only bus going to heaven. Indeed, there is not a testimony more sad on the earth.”
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
You nailed when you wrote “the Catholics are upfront” about salvation from the church. I picked up on this as a kid surrounded by Catholic neighbors. It was one thing my mom explained to me about the differences. (When I asked her if we were Protestant, she asked what we would be protesting? Lol. Her roots were more “No King but Jesus” and Christus Victor, FWIW. They viewed the pastor as an employee and only Jesus was a path to salvation. Church was for fellowship. God and science were complimentary not exclusive, etc. That sort of thinking doesn’t exist anymore in most institutions but I am grateful for that foundation) I had no idea we were heathens. Lol.
Fast forward to my first Catholic wedding as a teen and they publicly denied me communion. I was so embarrassed because I was just stupid and had no idea how it worked. At the churches I grew up in a bum off the street could take communion. Heck, our Iranian exchange students did!
My daughter sang in Cathedrals and Protestant churches all over Europe this past summer in a University Choir. She was shocked to see first hand they are first and foremost, tourist attractions. It was a great lesson for her on “institutionalized Christianity”. I am in churches and Cathedrals all the time here for performances and recitals. Now, I judge them on acoustics. Lol.
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Tourist attractions! That is such a perfect way of putting it.
And protestant churches in America can be described in exactly the same way. Why else would churches spend millions of dollars on buildings with aquariums in the lobby if not to attract the “tourists.” The best part is, the tourists, er I mean “members”, get to participate as well…oh and don’t forget to put your money in the plate as it goes by. That fish tank requires a lot of maintenance, you know. All so you can get to heaven!
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