Here is history both Catholic and Protestant:
Local church starts with foot firmly planted in the Gospel and begins to grow. Overtime the institution becomes corrupted by the World and Heresy creeps into the organization. The Organization splits and some peopled continue on their corrupt path while other start a new local church firmly planted on the Gospel. The circle starts again and repeats.
The new church is persecuted by the old.
We are blessed with a Gospel that doesn’t bend. Unfortunately, we are flawed people.
We all must be vigilant and look at our local church practices and judge whether our organization is inline with the Gospel.
A false church is full or unrepentant sinners and often persecutes other Christ followers:
In 2 Corinthians 11:26 Paul refers to the perils of the false brethren. The Catholic Church and others are guilty of this (Inquisition, witch trials, etc.). Today the LA Diocese is still covering the sins of their priests. There are plenty of examples both Catholics and Non Catholics taking advantage of their position for sinful lusts. We are all injured by these crimes and coverups.
The Scripture is the corrective force for our doctrinal mistakes. 2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
If you don’t have faith in the Gospel then you just have religion and your faith is lax.
Start with the sinners prayer, repent and take Jesus as your resurrected Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9). Accept his offer of salvation by Grace through faith. (Eph 2:8) Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you to strengthen your church or to join with another who shares your convictions.