Thank you for some interesting reading Martin, I have greatly enjoyed it!
To me, this discussion is very valuable because it highlights the major issues that (unfortunately, although necessarily) caused my forefathers in the faith to make a break with human traditions and live their lives according to that which they believed to be a more life-giving application of Scripture.
Clearly, the main issue is in our different understanding and application of the Christian rituals such as baptism (and also the sharing of the emblems) - as addressed in this thread.
To summarize - the Church of Rome believes that baptism is the means of salvation, whereas the Anabaptist believes that baptism follows salvation, indicating - rather than facilitating - the believer's commitment to repentance (contrition for wrongs, turning around) and renewal.
The Roman Catholic believes that spiritual life comes through receiving the sacraments, whereas the Anabaptist's participation in the communion service accepts the broken bread and cup as a symbol of the life they have received by the indwelling Spirit of Christ which He freely gives to all who believe and accept His grace.
We could go all down the list of ordinances and beliefs and discover what sets them apart, and in most cases, find signicant differences, even in the language and terminology employed.
However, I doubt that I would change your thinking, just as I would be foolish to reject what I have learned through the teaching of the Word and by experience!
Therefore, what good is there in focusing on division, especially in this season where all believers celebrate the most amazing event to ever take place on the earth - the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
In the spirit of this season I wish you all grace and peace that His followers find through His sacrifice, made once for all.
Thank you for this most engaging discussion!