I don't get where one might claim catholicism, or christianity, isn't a political power.
Wealth prescribes power in a world that turns on capitalism, and as such, major religious institutions are some of the wealthiest entities in the world. (Secretly, of course, wouldn't want to make public the ledgers).
Most major world powers follow , in many respects, the religious doctrine setforth therein. As pointed out above, the declaration of a particular allegiance to a religion is a massive deciding factor in who gets elected president in the US - and I imagine something similar in most countries.
Perhaps reality if far different, but that's the conclusion I've drawn from what I've seen.
If the Pope called for a crusade, an army would show up where he pointed, the place on the map would disappear. Choosing not to use power does not mean that power isn't held. And nothing could be more dangerous on a worldwide level than such a declaration. No way to test this difference in opinion until it happens - I hope I'm wrong. (beating a dead horse on that one, I'll stop bringing it up lol)
The altruistic view of religious people largely 'doing good' is illusory, in my experience. Plenty of other entities perform such functions - declaring 'god' and putting a cross on the deed doesn't make it inherently more or less good. Or actually, if I'm being honest, it makes it less good. Unfortunately, for me I see such declarations as selfish, a means to buy one's way into heaven, a method of placing oneself in higher regard to other's. Using religion, or god, to back up ones actions is a power play. In my mind it has no other use than to manipulate people's minds and thoughts, or a cheap recruitment tactic. It rankles.
Example: Want to donate to a charity? Great! Calling it a tithe really ruins it for me.
While I might feel that a future where any religion as a major power no longer exists, and is no longer used to excuse actions, I don't think such a reality will exist. Nor do I think that there is anything to be gained by trying to force that change in any way.
I think the practice of restricting any religion is ridiculous. IMO, there are no differences between banned death cults and the trillion dollar industry of catholicism. No difference between extremest terror groups and the parent religions they come from. No one claim to divine inspiration is any more legitimate than any other. I think they are all equally invalid, but if for those who believe in one, it seems hypocritical to not accept all of them. (that's not really fair, more like hypocritical to not accept most major views that don't appear to be purposefully created for personal gain). How can you possibly sort them out? ... So to me better none than all.
But that's the easy part 
. *Wilshire:* declares "I think this!", affects nothing, then moves on to other forum posts. Lol. I should stick to watching for a while, I think of my 'belives' have been put down at this point.
I thought about attempting to counter your post paragraph by paragraph, but I will limit myself to a couple of observations.
1. Imho, your view of the Pope's ability to call for a crusade demonstrates the real-world limits of the power of the Papacy. What army, in actual fact, would show up? Presumably, some nation's army. What nation would literally take "marching orders" from the Vatican? As Vizzini would say, "Inconceivable!"
2. I'm really disheartened to read that you view religiously-motivated charitable activity as "manipulative" and "a cheap recruitment tactic". As for the "buy your way into heaven" accusation.....all I'll say is that it would take a pretty ignorant Catholic to try that long-discredited method. Besides, charitable activity shouldn't be "shouted from the rooftops", and certainly not private individual charity. I realize that some public acknowledgement seems to be unavoidable, mostly due to the hecklers inside and outside the Church asking "Where's the money going?"
Thanks for sharing, Wilshire!
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. I try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes. The dream would be to get good enough and have enough material to release an EP or something a year or two from now.