A big difference is that Catholics can be very vocal about disagreeing with things like the all male priesthood, and they won't be kicked out of the Church for disagreeing. To me that is a huge difference.

I'm Catholic, but not very active at it right now. But I have always expressed myself openly, never have hidden my disagreements.

Nonexpert, Jesus had to pick all males, because of the times he lived in. All the apostles were Jewish, but they don't make that a requirement today. All were from a certain part of the world, and that's not a requirement either. So, it doesn't make sense that women cannot be priests. It's a silly thing.

And yes, I HAVE heard the question, "Why do you agree with such a silly requirement as testicles to make someone capable of being a leader in your Church?" (Or "penis" or "male genitalia.") That is not a new question, but it is a valid question.

There are women who work at the Vatican I understand, but they'll never be priests, Bishops, Cardinals, Pope, etc.

The only real similarities between the Catholic Church and the WTS are even then different in how disagreements are handled. There are extremely conservative Catholics who are so strict they might as well be JWs. But I've know a whole lot of Catholics who aren't that way. Mostly Catholics are just members of a religion they respect and enjoy and are able to enhance their faith in God and enhance their relationship with God. They feel comfortable disagreeing and don't have to hide those things.

There are many beautiful things about the Catholic church, and a bunch of things that could use improvement. And there are probably as many types of Catholics as there are Catholics, just about! You can be Catholic and be an individual at the same time. Can't do that as a JW.

BTW, I have not read this whole thread. But I have to wonder why the initial question was asked. Why do ex JWs so often carry that particular teaching with them beyond their JW lives?

Janet