> 16F88 in I2C "Firmware Controlled Master mode (Slave Idle)",
> then I still have to do bit banging for SDA and SCL. Is this true?

Yes

> If it is true, then is there any benefit to using the SSP module at all

You still can use it as a h/w Slave receiver. It does keep the bussing
tidy being able to have all I2C devices, however they're set up, on
the same two wires

Bit-banging I2C isn't too difficult once you sort out the SDA/SCL
timing relationships

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