Protestantism and Catholicism

It occurred to me that an obvious question or two for me would be:
a) Do I now lump Catholicism and Protestantism together as just general forms of Christianity?, and
b) Do I wish I hadn't taken the trouble to leave Protestantism for Catholicism a few years ago?

The answer to both is no.

I left Protestantism primarily because there is no way to make any sense of it as an institution. There was no authoritative foundation in any sense. And when I left, I said to myself and to my wife quite plainly that if I ever left the Catholic Church, I would never return to Protestantism. My only choice if leaving Catholicism was and is to not be a Christian.

The Catholic Church has a foundation which can be literally traced through history to Jesus and His followers. Catholicism has an explanation for the development of doctrine and authority from the actual historical point of Christ. Protestantism in all its forms has an explanation which involves a great deal of hemming and hawing when it comes to its origin being centered around the rejection of legitimate authority (by Christian standards) in the 1500's.

I am still pleased with my decision to leave Protestantism. I still intend never to return. I will always have a deep level of respect for the Catholic tradition, regardless of the outcome of my present ponderings.