The Ocelot,
This could turn into a very heated argument. First of all Catholics do not put all their stress on their works. We believe it is by grace that we earn salvation, but we also must try to uphold the commandments of the Lord and try to imitate him. That is what we are called to do. especially to "Love other as I have loved you" Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all. He rose from the dead. It is by this that we are saved, but we are to accept it, and to accept it only in words and not put any emphasis in deed is to be more of a Pharisee, don't you agree?
The church becoming corrupt is another issue. The church is infallible. In her teachings and her practices, she cannot make a mistake.
"Peter you are the rock upon which I will build my church, and the gates of hell will never prevail against it."
Jesus would not leave us with a church that could lead us into sin or error. Now, the pope and bishops and priests can and do sin. I'm not saying that, they are human just as we are, but when doctrine or dogma is declared, it is true.
"Whatever you hold bound on earth is held bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven."
I'm sorry I don't have a Bible on me to quote where the scriptures are, but I'll post it later.
and think of this. If the Catholic church is wrong, so is the protestant. My church has been around for 1971 years. The protestant church is only about five hundred years old. Do you think a lawyer, a rebel monk, and a tyranical king could set the church on the narrow path again?
The catholic church is the church that Jesus Christ himself set up and has the full revelation of truth taught by him. God bless.