Catholicism is disagreeable and offensive.

Firstly, I don't hate religion. I hate certain religions, but Catholicism, Christianity, and Judaism is not the whole of religion, it is only a hypocrisized part of religion. Secondly, why do you need a symbol to spread the word of the Lord? He told his followers to go out and spread the word, not a single Pope. "Go out into the world and spread the good news," Jesus said to his followers in the Bible. Any follower of god can be considered "symbolic", not just a single figure. Actually, there are a good number of Popes that did not fit the anti-gambling, anti-prostitution, and anti-poor stealing. Here are a few excerpts from a website explaining some of the evil traits of the Popes: "The method in which this pope actually got into office deserves to be told. On the death of Liberius (in office: 352-366), the previous pope, there was no consensus among the clergy as to his successor. A faction supported Ursinus, who was one of Liberius' deacons. Damasus was supported by the faction who was previously loyal to the antipope Felix. To consolidate his position and claim to the papacy, Damasus hired a gang of thugs and carried out a three day massacre of Ursinus' supporters. That did not satisfy this heresy-hunting pope. After his consecration as bishop of Rome, his men attacked Ursinus and his remaining supporters who were seeking refuge in the Liberian basilica. As a result of that attack, one hundred and thirty seven supporters of Ursinus were murdered." "Pope Symmachus (in office 498-514), like Damasus, is recognized by the church as a Saint, partly due to his strong defense of orthodoxy. But this pope was a promiscuous fornicator, although he did have a regular lover, named Conditria. He regularly misused church funds. A synod of Italian bishops was held in the year 502 to discuss charges of fornication and cheating." "Twentieth century popes may be less immoral than their predecessors but many of the unattractive traits remain. One such example is Pope Pius XII (in office 1939-1958). Pius knew about the Nazi atrocities on the Jews but chose to keep silent about it. The papacy today, as before, showed itself incapable of providing a moral leadership when it was needed most." http://www.geocities.com... "This is why God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, so you would treat others with kindness and respect." So "Thou shall not worship another God or idol" is a way we should treat others? They were selfish laws created by your oh-so "awesome" Jehovah so he could keep his people (whom he banned to a desert for 40 years) in line with his owns needs and wishes. "It does say ask the Lord for forgivness of your sins, but this is so they may clean their soul. It also says do as Jesus did. He forgave, he asked for forgiveness, this is all symbolic as well as literal, to ask for forgiveness from all, so you may have another chance." This has nothing to do with the argument. All this shows is a preachy sermon about forgiveness by God, and in no way defeats my argument. Not only are the Catholics responsible for modern day criticism but also partially the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the start of many witch hunts, which all ended up in blood-shed.