Helicopter parents

Perhaps the number one objection to the Protestant faith is doctrinal diversity. The "scandal" of denominations. Catholics contrast that to Mother Church, who guides the faithful into the fullness of truth.

The maternal metaphor is revealing. Scripture never uses a maternal metaphor for the church. 

It's a cliche of child-rearing that, for better or worse, parents make the major decisions for kids when their kids are below a certain age, but as they hit adolescence or thereabouts, kids need to be given increasing independence to wean them off parental dependence. That's because kids are supposed to grow up and be able to make it on their own in life. That includes the necessary freedom to make their own mistakes.

The lifecycle is new to every generation. Each generation discovers life anew. Although grown children can sometimes benefit from parental experience and advice, parents are fallible. There's a first time for everything. Adulthood was a novel experience for your parents. They had to learn from experience just like the rest of us. They made mistakes, too!

Protestants make mistakes. That's part of growing up. Like learning to ride a bike. Fall down, get up, try again. 

Living in your mother's basement, being spoonfed, having helicopter parents on speed dial, never having to assume adult responsibilities, is arrested development. That's Catholicism. 

Not only does it keep Catholics in a state of immaturity, but it fosters a false sense of security. Although some people find it easier to let other people make the major decisions for them, those to whom they delegate the decision-making process aren't necessarily any wiser. Some parents are foolish. Some mothers are overprotective. 

Yes, there are too many denominations (including the church of Rome). Yes, there's too much doctrinal diversity (including Catholic factions). But that's the price you pay for growing up. Having to think for yourself. 

Catholics need to vacate mom's basement, cast off the training wheels, and face the challenges of adulthood without helicopter parents.