Asked to leave my Protestant Church

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Spider-man:
Yes. It was the church’s fault. They are the spiritual leaders. They are to shepherd the people–including a little encouragement to actually read the Bible and learn a little more about God.
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You try that excuse with God…see how far it gets you.

When you get to a certain age of understanding you are responsible to seek.

Wonder what people did for all those years when there were no Bibles. I guess they were just lost and unable to find God without those Evangelical Churches.

SV
 
What happened hundreds of years ago isn’t the issue. The issue is the here and now. Here and now–yes, it is the church’s responsibility to exhort the people to seek God. Ultimately, yes, it is between the person and God–but Christ told Peter to feed His sheep.
 
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Spider-man:
What happened hundreds of years ago isn’t the issue. The issue is the here and now. Here and now–yes, it is the church’s responsibility to exhort the people to seek God. Ultimately, yes, it is between the person and God–but Christ told Peter to feed His sheep.
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Yes it is an issue (I’ll remind you of this quote sometime when you slip and mention something the CC did way back when), now…people managed quite well to find God without reading a Bible and it can still happen.

It is and always has been the Church’s responsibilty to guide us…but you also must take personal responsibility and SEEK. God gives us sufficient Grace. It is up to us to act upon that Grace.

God never told Peter to force feed His sheep.

SV
 
Hi St. Veronica:

I totally agree with your view of things. We, as Christian Catholics can’t blame anyone but ourselves on why we don’t pick up the Bible for ourselves and study.

I know there are many seemingly “dead” churches out there–Catholic or others–many with some big name pastor–glorifying himself the entire service --or perhaps with some old geezer falling off his chair–(as was our case yesterday)–but it is up to us to be seekers of Truth!!! In life, there WILL always be errors, human errors, but God’s truth never errs. His proclamation is what it’s all about–not Wordly Churches and institutions, even men of the faith who claim to have it all together, Catholics even, Tele-evangelists, etc., websites who claim theirs is THE way—very sad indeed, they all fail, because they, like us are only human.

Praise God for The Truth, and I for One, am so thankful that the RCC seems to be the true Light, amidst darkness, that it has stood for 2000 years, not for 150, like most Protestant denominations.

We all must explore what God has in store for us, not seek approval elsewhere.

In Christ,
 
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Spider-man:
I’m aware of that.

Yes, they have Biblical passages. Yes, the prayers are based off Biblical passages.

My issue is the fact that aside from Sunday morning, most lay catholics I know (including a huge catholic family) don’t ever open their Bible during the week–if in fact they even own one.
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but every week, they received the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! …and become partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:4-7 (RSV) I like that ‘virtue’ comes before ‘knowledge’, as virtue can be applied by ALL, while ‘studying the bible’ can only be done by those who have the capacity to do so…and limits those who don’t have ability to read or the access to books, etc. Just a thought.
 
Dear Cat!

I’m afraid that you will have to grow a thicker skin if you are going to stick with the Roman Catholic Church for long. In your story you pointed out that you did not get “due process”; or and your treatment was un-scriptural. These remedies are not available within the RC church. Typically, decisions like you describe will come from the pastor and depending on the person - you might get a similar treatment. Their rule in the parish is near absolute.

As an ex-Roman Catholic I believe you will likely encounter dogma/ doctrines that you might question. This could be dangerous as it is not a subject for question - let alone debate - and not to be raised with clergy (You won’t be asked to leave, but your participation with groups, kids, etc. might be limited). That’s how I got the boot! Sorry to be pessimistic but the church is made up of people - and some are more dogmatic than Christian.

Most Catholics I have encountered in my 50 years with the RC church will be the cafeteria type - they will not make an issue of such matters and pretty much go along as they please. A common approach I have encountered is - "We don’t have to be all touchy and feely like the Protestants to attract or keep people, We have the true church. God bless your search.
 
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Spider-man:
Yes. It was the church’s fault. They are the spiritual leaders. They are to shepherd the people–including a little encouragement to actually read the Bible and learn a little more about God.
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and they ‘feed’ us each week with the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ as well as with the Word. They can’t make you want to pick up the scriptures and study on your own…God’s gift of ‘free will’ is the greatest gift. WE can chose to or not to, and God allows that.
 
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Spider-man:
Yes. It was the church’s fault. They are the spiritual leaders. They are to shepherd the people–including a little encouragement to actually read the Bible and learn a little more about God.
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I’m just curious, what MORE could they have done for YOU in particular. You say that it’s the Church’s fault that you didn’t read the scriptures and study more? I’m just curious how that is so?
 
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Spider-man:
What happened hundreds of years ago isn’t the issue. The issue is the here and now. Here and now–yes, it is the church’s responsibility to exhort the people to seek God. Ultimately, yes, it is between the person and God–but Christ told Peter to feed His sheep.
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what do you think that Christ meant by that command for Peter?
 
St Veronica:
Yes it is an issue (I’ll remind you of this quote sometime when you slip and mention something the CC did way back when), now…people managed quite well to find God without reading a Bible and it can still happen.

It is and always has been the Church’s responsibilty to guide us…but you also must take personal responsibility and SEEK. God gives us sufficient Grace. It is up to us to act upon that Grace.

God never told Peter to force feed His sheep.

SV
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:amen:
 
Well, for starters, the majority of what I saw each week was not really a personal worship experience. Yes, I know…we got the eucharist every week, etc…but it was all so…impersonal.

It was kind of a “just put in your time and go home” sort of thing.

There was no real modeling of what a Christian should be, what they’re daily life should be…no discipleship whatsoever. The Biblical model is that the younger men should be able to look to the older men for guidance. There should also be a little fellowship–getting to know the guy in the pew next to you. You know, it’s nice if you miss 3 weeks in a row, that someone might call you and ask if you’re ok. I never got that in the catholic church. There was little to no fellowship with others and absolutely no guidance to growing in your faith.
 
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Spider-man:
Well, for starters, the majority of what I saw each week was not really a personal worship experience.
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really, I find exactly the opposite to be true. I find a truly personal worship experience EVERY time I receive our Lord’s Body and blood.
It was kind of a “just put in your time and go home” sort of thing.
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I don’t feel that at all…I’m sad that you do.
There was no real modeling of what a Christian should be, what they’re daily life should be…no discipleship whatsoever.
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really? Did you NOT listen to the Gospel and the homily each week? What about at home…were you never taught what it was to be a Christian? That surprises me, and saddens me for you.
There should also be a little fellowship–getting to know the guy in the pew next to you.
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really? Did YOU extend yourself to get to know anyone, or were you waiting on someone to do that first?
You know, it’s nice if you miss 3 weeks in a row, that someone might call you and ask if you’re ok. I never got that in the catholic church. There was little to no fellowship with others
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we have 4000 families in our parish with 7 masses EACH weekend. How in the world would I ever know who was or wasn’t there? Do you do what you’re expecting others to do for you? As far as fellowship, there is TONS of that in our parish, but you have to ‘get involved’. They are NOT begging me to join in…we have a choice to get involved or not. Just my 2 cents worth on this discussion…
 
Remember, Faith is a gift. Some have it and some don’t…pray for those “don’ts”. Those of us who have been “gifted” will be held to a higher standard. God Bless.
 
Not Bible-based? No modeling for discipleship? The central part of the Mass is the Consecration, which Christ Himself undertook at the Last Supper?

Listen to the readings. I mean really listen to them. Pray over them. Their message lays down a clear way to salvation. The words of Christ are central to the Gospel.

The Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, regular exposition of the Holy Eucharist. All of those are firmly based in Scripture.

The Church itself has its very foundation in the words of Christ to St. Peter. "You are the Rock, and on this Rock I will build My Church.

We tend to look for external reasons for our dissatisfaction. True happiness is born from within and must be nutured. It’s so easy to blame others for what we should have grasped for ourselves.

That’s why God gave us free will.

The recipe for Salvation is there, in Scripture, Tradition and the Holy Mother Church, which Christ left us as his earthly legacy until He comes again. All we have to do is reach for it.
 
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Spider-man:
I’m aware of that.

Yes, they have Biblical passages. Yes, the prayers are based off Biblical passages.

My issue is the fact that aside from Sunday morning, most lay catholics I know (including a huge catholic family) don’t ever open their Bible during the week–if in fact they even own one. When I started attending an evangelical church, I was still living w/my parents, and I remember my dad questioning who’s Bible it was that he found lying around. It was really a foreign concept to him to actually read the Bible. This is a man who went to a catholic school from k-12, and his sister is a nun.
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And yet I had the opposite experience. I was encouraged to read scripture at every turn, by my teachers, parents and sisters and brothers.

I think your story is a cop out.

CAT and Petra - you guys should also know about a site for CAtholic Converts - forums.catholic-convert.com/ BrianD is already there as are some of the others here. You’ll love it.

Also, Cat - I thought I might point out that you may (and I may have read your post wrong, but) have the wrong idea on purgatory. Sins are not forgiven through the process of purgatory. In fact, your sins need to be repented of and forgiven before you can get to that state.

What happens in purgatory is that the temporal punishment of sin is meted out. In other words - say you broke a window. Well, the owner of the house may forgive you, but you still have to pay him for the window. Through the process of purgatory, you pay for the window.

So your former pastor needs to seek repentence of his mortal sins before he can go through purgatory ad onto heaven. We can only pray that he is thoroughly reconciled to God and that God has mercy on him and on the whole world.

Right?

God love ya,
–Ann
 
I thought the attitudes of the local Baptists (esp the preacher) when I left their church were bad! I had no idea some of the more independent churches did the things I’m reading on this thread.

And so many of these people attack Catholicism saying we are unbelievers and they are the true Christians. Aren’t we to know Christians by their love? These churches are so dogmatic in their attitudes they show no love!

It’s time we invite more people to church with us!!!

Gloria
 
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Anglo-catholic:
Dear Cat!

I’m afraid that you will have to grow a thicker skin if you are going to stick with the Roman Catholic Church for long. In your story you pointed out that you did not get “due process”; or and your treatment was un-scriptural. These remedies are not available within the RC church. Typically, decisions like you describe will come from the pastor and depending on the person - you might get a similar treatment. Their rule in the parish is near absolute.

As an ex-Roman Catholic I believe you will likely encounter dogma/ doctrines that you might question. This could be dangerous as it is not a subject for question - let alone debate - and not to be raised with clergy (You won’t be asked to leave, but your participation with groups, kids, etc. might be limited). That’s how I got the boot! Sorry to be pessimistic but the church is made up of people - and some are more dogmatic than Christian.

Most Catholics I have encountered in my 50 years with the RC church will be the cafeteria type - they will not make an issue of such matters and pretty much go along as they please. A common approach I have encountered is - "We don’t have to be all touchy and feely like the Protestants to attract or keep people, We have the true church. God bless your search.
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Love your post, I think it’s right on!!!

Why are you an Ex-Catholic, if I may ask?

God Bless~
 
For all of you who were asked to leave or were actually kicked out of their Protestant churches: I’m sorry for all the distress that you experienced, but welcome home to the Catholic Church, those of you that converted. Those of you that haven’t made that journey yet, you are welcome in the Catholic Church. Give prayerful consideration to making it your home.
 
Pray for those who were upset by your conversion to Catholicism. Who knows? They could be given the gift of faith, and become the next new Catholics!
 
I wasn’t sure whether this message fits in ths thread but here goes…

True, there will be disagreements in the Protestant Churches AND the Catholic Church, but when disagreements in the Protestant Churches reaches a heated point, another ‘church’ is established…33,000+ and rising.
Locally, here is an example:

newsnet5.com/news/3519352/detail.html

Thoughts?

go with God!
Edwin
 
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