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almost2
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Very clear explanation . well done!!!
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TC3033
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That’s basically how I feel when I go to church with my wife and kids. It’s a big room full of lots of people who would rather you weren’t there because you’re not the “right type” of christian, “Oh great, I need to climb over this guy…” Or settling in for a nice homily about how flawed or what’s wrong with non-Catholics.
That just makes it feel empty to me…, but we only go to the same church or two in the same are, so I know I can’t (or shouldn’t) paint all the Catholic Churches in the same way. I’m surprised all the time to hear what goes on in the Catholic church(s) here isn’t necessarily universal of all Catholics or Catholic churches.
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Wannano
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We all respond to our expectations and our conditioning. The churches you describe above are not at all descriptive of my experience. If they are truly as you describe then do your self a favor and search out a church that is in the minority in your community and go there truly searching for the presence of God without dwelling on what you think is missing. I hope you realize that I also identify with you in a way. I well remember the first time I was at a Catholic Mass and the feeling I came away with. It certainly was not positive from my point of view. After being at several hundred masses I still do not see the “awe” shared in the posts above. Undoubtedly that is because I have not come to the place where I can believe in Transubstantiation. However, I do not see the value in making negative blanket statements about Catholicism that are based only on my experience, especially if it casts doubt on the presence of God even being there.Wannano:
The majority of the non-Catholic churches in my area are non-denominational. Since “feel good” theology, once saved always saved, and prosperity gospel themes are not really my jam, I would say yes…The benefit of gaining a greater appreciation for His Real Presence in the Catholic Church through the lack of encountering it in these other churches who openly criticize and denounce the evil Catholic church and twist the gospel to mean what they want it to mean is exactly what I was looking for.
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thistle
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A Catholic may attend a non-Catholic Christian church for baptisms, weddings and funerals. Catholics are not permitted to receive or participate in any way with their Communion.
Catholics are not permitted to attend such churches for the purpose of worship.
We recently had a thread on this very topic.
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TC3033
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Interesting, do you have a link to said thread.
I’ve read on here, in instances like the OP’s, where you’re going with non-Catholic family (especially a spouse) it’s okay.
I’ve read on here, in instances like the OP’s, where you’re going with non-Catholic family (especially a spouse) it’s okay.
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thistle
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I will see if I can find the thread. I still haven’t got used to navigating the new style website. Actually I prefer the previous one.
It not okay with regard to Communion or worship. To participate in either would be affirming that the non-Catholic church is correct and the Catholic Church is wrong. This would cause scandal.
Adding the link which I just found. You will see comments from priests as well.
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Dhc8_Type
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I walked out of the Catholic Church and won’t be back until they get a new guy. my wife and her aunt and uncle attend. And discovered they along with most of the other members refer to the pastor as father napoleon. Since then my wife has gone to the LCMS Church down the street from her former church with me and seems happier and in a better mood then when she’d come home from the Catholic Church.
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ConfusedLucy
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If I didn’t have my non-Catholic friends to pray with and occasionally attend worship with I doubt I would still be practicing. Many of us don’t have access to large or diverse enough Catholic communities to support us in our faith.
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AveOTheotokos
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No thank you. I already belong to the True, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I have no need to go searching elsewhere to try to find something I already have
Atheists generally do not report a feel the “awe” that Christians feel when it comes to prayer, feeling God’s presence, acknowledging His hand in our lives, etc… Undoubtedly that is because they have not come to a place where they can believe in God.
A lack of belief on their part does not in any way diminish the experience or awareness experienced by Christians. Just as a Christian would argue that they might not experience this awareness because they have refused to tune in to it, likewise a Catholic could argue that a non-Catholic Christian might not experience an awareness of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist because they have refused to tune in to it.
A perseverance in disbelief of one does alter the reality experienced through the belief of another.
Nor do I. Fortunately, I did not make blanket statements about non-Catholic Christianity. I simply responded to the OP’s question (“Has anyone else benefitted from not only attending mass, but also regularly attending services at non-Catholic churches?”) by relating what benefit I have personally derived.
I’m not sure what else to base a personal assessment of derived benefit on other than my experience, and since the churches referenced in my post do not claim to have a Real Presence, my mentioning the lack of it is not casting doubt, but rather reaffirms the positions they hold themselves.
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TC3033
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You kind of did though, noting that non-Catholic churches openly criticize and denounce the Catholic church (which I’ve never heard). Unless you were speaking specifically of the non-Catholic churches in your area which you’ve attended. I could be wrong, but that’s not how it sounded.
The only place I’ve heard other denominations denounced or criticized is by the priest the currently resides over my wife’s parish. My wife told me to make sure I don’t use her church to judge all Catholic churches, as normally they aren’t like her’s (and shouldn’t be). I’ve yet to see or experience that, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe her.
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AveOTheotokos
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I’m sorry for any confusion. As I stated at the beginning of that post, I was specifically referencing the churches in my area.
I live in a rather Anti-Catholic area, so this kind of open, antagonistic rhetoric is unfortunately common among some of the other churches in my area. Several of the parishioners at our church have spouses that are not Catholic and they have experienced sermons denouncing Catholicism, the pope, etc…
One woman, after visiting her husband’s church a few times, was approached and asked when she was going to give up her pagan religion and become a real Christian.
Another woman who’s husband left a job as a minister at his church several years earlier in their marriage found pamphlets about the evil’s of the church and how to convert a pope following spouse to true Christianity. When she approached her husband about this, she discovered that there was a group of people trying to “help” her husband “bring her over” so that she could be saved.
Disclaimer: All above comments are based on and refer only to churches in my local area. Any opinions expressed or information relayed is specific to and limited to the local area and the specific experiences relayed.
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USAFwife
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@aveotheotokos I too live in a very anti Catholic area. I can second what you’re saying. Happens here too.
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TC3033
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Wow…I don’t think that I’ve ever heard nor witnessed such vitriol from a non-Catholic church aimed at Catholicism. I grew up with the belief that we’re all Christians and should treat each other as such. I sometimes wonder where such an avenue of hate is built.
Like I said, the first time I’ve experienced Christians putting down others at church was at my wife’s parish. The whole concept is just strange to me.
I should probably figure out a disclaimer too.
Like I said, the first time I’ve experienced Christians putting down others at church was at my wife’s parish. The whole concept is just strange to me.
I should probably figure out a disclaimer too.
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lilypadrees
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Speaking from experience, the only benefit of a Catholic attending non-Catholic churches is that the Catholic sees the differences in the way other churches teach and appreciates their Catholic faith more.
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AveOTheotokos
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Unfortunately it is the norm here. Thankfully, because of our mission diocese status, there is a great effort to by the Catholic churches to reach out and find common ground with the non-Catholic and show them that we are indeed real Christians. They generally try to preach on what we have in common instead of condemning them.Wow…I don’t think that I’ve ever heard nor witnessed such vitriol from a non-Catholic church aimed at Catholicism. I grew up with the belief that we’re all Christians and should treat each other as such. I sometimes wonder where such an avenue of hate is built.
Like I said, the first time I’ve experienced Christians putting down others at church was at my wife’s parish. The whole concept is just strange to me.
I should probably figure out a disclaimer too.
There is a definitely some variety of experiences to be had depending on the region and the leadership in a particular diocese and parish.
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tgGodsway
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Yes I agree. Most main-line denominational churches are absolutely dead when it comes to the presence of God. I attend a Spirit-filled Church where God’s manifest presence is welcomed and we all enjoy His wonder. At times we cannot even stand up because of the weighty presence of the holy Spirit moving about the sanctuary.
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lilypadrees
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The level of hostility towards Catholics depends on the Protestant denomination. I’ve never experienced anti-Catholicism from those in non-denominational churches. (They were among the most loving people I’ve ever met.)
But I have experienced it in churches like the Southern Baptist church. The pastor of the SB church I went to later became the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. I remember seeing him on TV many years after he’d left our church and was saddened to see that his anti-Catholic views were still full force.He was the pastor who spat in my face while telling me that my baptism (Christening) in the Catholic Church as an infant didn’t count and said I had to be baptized “the right way” in that church.
But I have experienced it in churches like the Southern Baptist church. The pastor of the SB church I went to later became the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. I remember seeing him on TV many years after he’d left our church and was saddened to see that his anti-Catholic views were still full force.He was the pastor who spat in my face while telling me that my baptism (Christening) in the Catholic Church as an infant didn’t count and said I had to be baptized “the right way” in that church.
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Hope2
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I’m sure you are correct about these church prohibitions. I just do not believe they could possibly align with the teachings of Christ, and in the same sense, with the all loving God who created us.
Ultimately, I, and my children, will stand before God alone.
Ultimately, I, and my children, will stand before God alone.
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jas84173
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I attend SSPX services almost every week and some on here would say that’s not Catholic 
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jas84173
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Oh definitely. I have went to Mormon and Seventh Day Adventist services, Jehovah’s Witnesses meetings ; just out of curiosity. The problem is when you go the people want all of your information and try to suck you in and when you say you aren’t interested they get almost hostile as to your beliefs and try to talk you out of them. It’s kind of messed up. It’s not like that happens when non Catholics attend a Catholic mass. We just let them be. I don’t like how these evangelizing groups will come after you just for being curious especially when they try to act so welcoming.
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