Surely the only thing that matters is the worship of, and love of Christ, and God ??
It's a lot easier to love Christ when he's right there physically in front of you. You wouldn't believe the amazing effects the Eucharist has on people. I described a Catholic retreat I went on in the JF forums- to summarize, there's a lot of joyous crying, laughing, speaking in tongues, and fainting. No matter what the physical reaction, though, the result is the same after every session of adoration- an increased love of God.
Anywho, all the complaints you have are common enough, so I'll give you the rudimentary answers.
a) all the idols in the churches, saint, the virgin mary, and similar False idols that you pray to. This seems strange because God himself told you all not to.
We don't "pray" to them as we "pray" to God. There is no worship involved. There is certainly
respect involved.
In essence, though, we pray for the saints to pray for us. Think of prayer as a form of communication to those in heaven. From the Catholic perspective, asking St. Ambrose to pray for me is the same thing as asking Blastshot to pray for me.
b) The amount of money in the cathedrals creation (and there are some beauties over here in europe), built at a time when the people lived in abject poverty. It is this decedance that spawned the reformation in the first place.
I can't think of a better use of material resources than in glorifying God.
Additionally, there is no shortage of charity done within the Catholic Church. Most religious orders (including nuns and the like) are devoted to such service. There is also no shortage of money donated to such endeavors.
I think both purposes are served quite well, in fact.
In short...if a man worships alone, in a field (which the covenanters had to, so they could practice their faith without persicution), then he is as much in touch with god as someone surrounded by pomp and ceremony.
The Bible disagrees.
Matthew 18:20- For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Prayer is stronger in a group. I've certainly experienced the truth in this statement.
Moreover, how "in touch" someone is with God in certain surroundings has a lot to do with personal preference. It's a lot easier to focus in a place of serenity with a group of like-minded individuals.
Oh, and as for the Catholic church being against the IRA ??? I'm sure that was the official line of the Vatican, but here on the ground was a different matter altogether. It is also worth mentioning that the faith of this once proud catholic country has been sorely tested by the child abuse scandels that the vatican chose to cover up.
And I'm sure those responsible for the coverup, if they have passed on, are burning in hell as we speak.
