A more tolerant 'one true church'

What happened to the almost universal distrust of Roman Catholicism? This interesting article provides some insight into a transformation in the way people view the RCC over the last 50 years. One of the most intriguing excerpts...

On any Sunday, the services in U.S. Lutheran, Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches are virtually indistinguishable (though in Lutheran and Episcopal churches the celebrant of the Eucharist may be a woman).

A more tolerant 'one true church' - Los Angeles Times

I have the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church next to my toilet at home, where I can peruse it at my leisure. Every time I turn a page I have to ask myself, "Where do they come up with this stuff?" Because it sure ain't from the Bible. For example, where did they come up with pergatory, that communion is the literal body and blood of Jesus, the idea of repeating one-liner prayers over and over using a rosary to keep count, penance, worship of Mary, and prayer to idols?

Perhaps most extraordinary of all are the doctrines of "The Immaculate Conception", and "The Assumption". For your reading pleasure, some choice excerpts...

Through the centuries, the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, 'full of grace' through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 490)

'The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fulled conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.' The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.

Say whut? Where did they get that?