Many Catholic practices are unbiblical.

Just got asked by another Catholic about the many Catholic practices that are unbiblical, so felt drawn to just share here for I believe the Holy Bible is the best roadmap we have to the kingdom of God. Look into the source of authority, the sufficiency of Christ's work. Because of that, I view practices like the Papacy, confession and forging sins, purgatory, or praying to saints as 'extra-biblical' traditions rather than scriptural requirements. Ultimately, I focus on the biblical emphasis of having direct access to God through Jesus as our sole mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

Look into the Greek distinction between Petros (a small stone) and Petra (a massive cliff or bedrock). Study shows Jesus was contrasting Peter (the small stone) with the revelation he just gave, that Jesus is the Christ, which is the true foundation of the Church. 1 Corinthians 3:11 explicitly states, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." If the Bible says Jesus is the only foundation, Peter cannot be a second, separate foundation.

When the apostles preached, they were telling people that their sins are forgiven if they believe & repent to our Father in Heaven. It isn't a power owned by a priest, but a declaration of what God has already done through Christ (Acts 13:38). While James 5:16 says to "confess your sins to each other," it is for healing and accountability among believers, not as a requirement for judicial absolution from a priest.

If there are essential traditions carried out not in the Bible, how do we know they haven't been corrupted over 2,000 years? The Church didn’t create the Bible’s authority, it simply recognized it. Just as you recognize a sunset's beauty without being the one who made the sun, the early Church recognized which books were already "breathed out by God.”

Catholicism uses various physical objects as "signs" to aid in prayer. Bunch of man-made sacramentals without biblical mandate like the rosary, holy water & candles, scapulars & medals.

Liturgical & calendar customs like lent & advent, requirements to attend Mass on specific days (like the Feast of the Assumption) that are not commanded in the Bible, the ritual of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign of repentance, loud fasting… look into what the Bible says about fasting!

Calling Priests "Father" Matthew 23:9 (Jesus said call no man your father on earth") as a direct contradiction to the title given to Catholic clergy. Our Father is in Heaven.

Mandatory Celibacy: While the Bible views celibacy as a gift, critics note that Paul explicitly allowed church leaders to be married in 1 Timothy 3:2

Religious Orders: The concept of monks, nuns, and friars living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience is a later development in Church history.

Baptismal Practices: yikes! Infants weren’t baptized. Those who believe in Jesus get that full immersion “baptizo” like John the Baptist and Jesus in the Jordan River.

Mary's Perpetual Virginity? The Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a virgin her entire life? Matthew 13:55-56 mentions Jesus' "brothers and sisters," as evidence that she had other children with Joseph.

Catholics believe the bread and wine literally become Jesus' body and blood. Many Christians interpret Jesus’ words at the Last Supper as symbolic, similar to when He called Himself "the door" or "the vine". He said “do this in remembrance of me.”

Indulgences: The practice of granting those (the remission of temporal punishment for sin) is often cited as unbiblical. It detracts from the total sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Jesus often rebuked religious leaders for letting their traditions & that’s why I test all traditions against the written Word. Peace be with you.