Behavior of average Evangelical vs. Catholic

[AlegreFe]

Please define “more Christian.”

I grew up evangelical Protestant and spent 40 years as an active member of evangelical churches. I converted to Catholicism in 2004.

Are you talking about alcohol consumption and other “visible” behaviors? In the past, I would have said that evangelicals don’t drink alcohol, but I have seen this change in the last ten years. Even my ex-Pentecostal parents-in-law drink now.

But is abstinence from alcohol “more Christian”?

Are we talking about movies, television, swearing, going to church, reading romance novels, eating too much, etc?

Are we talking about pre-marital sex, abortions, homosexuality, etc.?

Are we talking about giving money and our children to missions and the poor?

Are we talking about basic kindness and politeness? I hope not, because I’ve found throughout my life that many atheists are more kind and polite than many Christians.

What is “more Christian” anyway?

This is an excellent thread, very thought-provoking. For many years, I have grappled with the concept of being “in the world but not of the world” I personally think that there is very little difference in the way Christians live compared to the way non-Christians live, and that’s sad, IMO.

I know what you mean. I have a brother-in-law who is now Baptist. He’s been for about 15 or 16 (could be more) years now. He was baptized a Catholic. He used to drink a little more than occasionally before he turned away from the Church. As a Baptist he was ‘forbidden’ to drink. So he put on this facade in the very beginning. I guess it then became ‘normal’ for him. But now after so many years he is now back to drinking. He only drinks at home and only on the weekends. He is a good man, a good husband and he does his best to be a good father.

I know of this Atheist who is the nicest, kindest and most polite person you could meet. He was also baptized Catholic. But somehow I believe that deep down inside his heart and soul he believes in God. He only believes the way that he believes because he lost his father at an early age. Of course it could be for other reasons also. I still think he believes deep down inside. I pray for him.

 

[Catherine_S]

I know what you mean. I have a brother-in-law who is now Baptist. He’s been for about 15 or 16 (could be more) years now. He was baptized a Catholic. He used to drink a little more than occasionally before he turned away from the Church. As a Baptist he was ‘forbidden’ to drink. So he put on this facade in the very beginning. I guess it then became ‘normal’ for him. But now after so many years he is now back to drinking. He only drinks at home and only on the weekends. He is a good man, a good husband and he does his best to be a good father.

I know of this Atheist who is the nicest, kindest and most polite person you could meet. He was also baptized Catholic. But somehow I believe that deep down inside his heart and soul he believes in God. He only believes the way that he believes because he lost his father at an early age. Of course it could be for other reasons also. I still think he believes deep down inside. I pray for him.

Sandy do you have information or a website where one can learn more about this movie?
I checked out Thy Kingdom Come.Inc. and the Mass Revealed but did not locate any info re this movie!!
Thank You for calling it to our attention!
Shalom,
Catherine
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[Tom317]

If Evangelicals were on fire with the faith, then they would become Roman Catholic.

 

[AlegreFe]

Sandy do you have information or a website where one can learn more about this movie?
I checked out Thy Kingdom Come.Inc. and the Mass Revealed but did not locate any info re this movie!!
Thank You for calling it to our attention!
Shalom,
Catherine

Hi Catherine (LOL when I was typing your name, “Catholic” came out instead of your name http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/Laughing.gif I type so fast and I’m so used to typing “Catholic” )

I Emailed Thy Kingdom Come, Inc. Website and they haven’t gotten back to me yet. I asked if this film was a cable TV project or if it will be in selected theaters or what. I sent them an Email from their website. They have an Email form you fill out and send.

 

[Catherine_S]

Hi Catherine (LOL when I was typing your name, “Catholic” came out instead of your name http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/Laughing.gif I type so fast and I’m so used to typing “Catholic” )

I Emailed Thy Kingdom Come, Inc. Website and they haven’t gotten back to me yet. I asked if this film was a cable TV project or if it will be in selected theaters or what. I sent them an Email from their website. They have an Email form you fill out and send.

Thank you very much **for your effort Sandy! **
How thoughtful of you :angel1:.
This film is a very creative idea indeed.
God Bless You,
Catherine
.

 

[AlegreFe]

Thank you very much **for your effort Sandy! **
How thoughtful of you :angel1:.
This film is a very creative idea indeed.
God Bless You,
Catherine

You can read the reply yourself right here! Thy Kingdom Come, Inc. Webmaster just joined Catholic Answers Forum!!

 

[Catherine_S]

You can read the reply yourself right here! Thy Kingdom Come, Inc. Webmaster just joined Catholic Answers Forum!!

**This is going to be a beautiful film! **
I hope that all Catholic television programs pick it up and that it is shown in all Catholic Parishes!
Thank you again Sandy!
I too am on their mailing list and have been spreading the news around.
.

 

[twosevendeuce]

Man, I could go on for an hour about the term “evangelical” and the group you are no doubt refering to - the Fundamentalists (am I correct?). Given the fundamentalist’s love of legalism, I would say the Fundies act more Christian than anyone, at least in the eyes of the uninformed. But, this is really legalist pietism. So in the end it really comes down to the individuals I guess.

 

[AlegreFe]

**This is going to be a beautiful film! **

I sure hope so! I don’t want to get my hopes up but I do think it will be great and very much needed!
Catherine S:

I hope that all Catholic television programs pick it up and that it is shown in all Catholic Parishes!

I sure hope so too. You think EWTN will have it? Perhaps that is another question for TKC, Inc.

Thank you again Sandy!
I too am on their mailing list and have been spreading the news around.

You’re most welcome Cath! (do you mind me calling you that?) All for the Glory of God!

I sent this to most everyone in my Email list! I think I’ll make flyers or something. Perhaps TKC, Inc. has a flyer already? I don’t think I’ve seen one but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask TKC if we could make one to put out in different Parishes.

 

[Catherine_S]

I sure hope so! I don’t want to get my hopes up but I do think it will be great and very much needed!
I sure hope so too. You think EWTN will have it? Perhaps that is another question for TKC, Inc.

You’re most welcome Cath! (do you mind me calling you that?) All for the Glory of God!

I sent this to most everyone in my Email list! I think I’ll make flyers or something. Perhaps TKC, Inc. has a flyer already? I don’t think I’ve seen one but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask TKC if we could make one to put out in different Parishes.

Sandy. I sent the webpage for this movie to every department of the Archdiocese Offices here in Toronto!! To friends in other provinces etc. **I certainly hope it turns out to be an excellent and well presented film as it appears to be **or Catholic internet police or somebody **may be tracking me at this very moment :bigyikes: !! **
All kidding aside…I think this film will be a gift to many!
God Bless You,
Catherine
.

 

[AlegreFe]

Sandy. I sent the webpage for this movie to every department of the Archdiocese Offices here in Toronto!! To friends in other provinces etc. **I certainly hope it turns out to be an excellent and well presented film as it appears to be **or Catholic internet police or somebody **may be tracking me at this very moment :bigyikes: !! **
All kidding aside…I think this film will be a gift to many!
God Bless You,
Catherine

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

A gift indeed. :yup:

.

I’m very curious Catherine, why do you put that period in your post all the time? And this time you bolded it. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/huh.gif Just curious. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/Grin.gif

You know something, we’ve derailed this thread. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/laughduh.gif

 

[Catherine_S]

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/Laughing.gif

A gift indeed. :yup:
I’m very curious Catherine, why do you put that period in your post all the time? And this time you bolded it. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/huh.gif Just curious. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/Grin.gif

You know something, we’ve derailed this thread. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/Alegre-Fe/Emoticons/laughduh.gif

The period is so there is a space before the bottom of the message…silly eh?
We have derailed this thread and need to ask for forgiveness for not following the rules. Sorry folks . We will move on . See you at the other site!
God Bless You Sandy
.

 

[Sixtus]

EWTN

Can someone please enlighten me what ‘EWTN’ stands for.

I have been told by a member of our clergy that it is an ultra Right Neo-fascist judgemental critical condemnatory anti-unity, ambiguous ‘expert’ branch of hardline catholicism.

But I am still confused. Could someone explain to me please

 

[AlegreFe]

Can someone please enlighten me what ‘EWTN’ stands for.

I have been told by a member of our clergy that it is -]an ultra Right Neo-fascist judgemental critical condemnatory anti-unity, ambiguous ‘expert’ branch of hardline catholicism/-].

But I am still confused. Could someone explain to me please

EWTN stands for “Eternal Word Television Network” and it’s on my TV 90% of the time!

That member of your clergy must be a liberal because he is totally wrong about EWTN!
I know some priests like this and they shouldn’t be priests in the Catholic Church. But I still pray for them because they need help from Jesus and especially from Mary.

 

[santaro75]

Funny, at work yesterday it so happened that all of us in the cabin (i am a pilot with a crew of three) were catholic and were discussing how hard it is for a young&single catholic(me) to find a well behaved, young and seriously practicing catholic girl to date. It was funny that we all had the same experience that Catholic youth do not lead Catholic lives normally. We seem to find their way back to the church later in life. (as was the case for me). The flight attendant suggested i find a protestant girl and convert her.

I think of an analogy to wine and grape juice. Wine is for adults and grape juice is for kids. The Catholic liturgy is like fine wine. We are serving fine wine to kids and they spit it out. Not until they are older and can appreciate the complex flavor of a fine wine will they appreciate it.

does that analogy work?

peace

 

[AlegreFe]

Funny, at work yesterday it so happened that all of us in the cabin (i am a pilot with a crew of three) were catholic and were discussing how hard it is for a young&single catholic(me) to find a well behaved, young and seriously practicing catholic girl to date. It was funny that we all had the same experience that Catholic youth do not lead Catholic lives normally. We seem to find their way back to the church later in life. (as was the case for me). The flight attendant suggested i find a protestant girl and convert her.

I think of an analogy to wine and grape juice. Wine is for adults and grape juice is for kids. The Catholic liturgy is like fine wine. We are serving fine wine to kids and they spit it out. Not until they are older and can appreciate the complex flavor of a fine wine will they appreciate it.

does that analogy work?

peace

That sounds good to me. I like the fine wine analogy!

I wouldn’t go with the idea of finding a Protestant girl and then try to convert her. I mean if someone would actually make the effort of finding a Protestant girl, that just doesn’t sound right. I say go with the flow of God. See what lands on your lap (not literally) and go with that. God has a plan for all of us and if His plan is for a Catholic guy to be with a Protestant girl then so be it. The Holy Spirit will work His wonders on that girl and she will become Catholic. lol

 

[santaro75]

That sounds good to me. I like the fine wine analogy!

I wouldn’t go with the idea of finding a Protestant girl and then try to convert her. I mean if someone would actually make the effort of finding a Protestant girl, that just doesn’t sound right. I say go with the flow of God. See what lands on your lap (not literally) and go with that. God has a plan for all of us and if His plan is for a Catholic guy to be with a Protestant girl then so be it. The Holy Spirit will work His wonders on that girl and she will become Catholic. lol

we were just joking about finding the protestant girl. it was just a joke about how a good catholic girl isn’t easy to find. for every bit of sarcasm there is some truth.

 

[santaro75]

I believe that if the shepards of our church would clearly state how a catholic is expected to act in specific ways the bahavior would improve.

I believe that if Kids are given expectations from a very early age they would try to meet those expectations.:twocents:

 

[AlegreFe]

I believe that if the shepards of our church would clearly state how a catholic is expected to act in specific ways the bahavior would improve.

Yes this could be true. I sometimes go to a church that holds a Tridentine Mass and the Pastors of that Parish are very devout and reverant. They preach from the pulpit on how we are to be as a family. I notice that when a family with small children attend that church, the children behave much better than other children in other churches where I also attend Mass sometimes.

santaro75:

I believe that if Kids are given expectations from a very early age they would try to meet those expectations.:twocents:

I agree. It’s a shame, however, that other kids that don’t have the same values and/or standards look down on these kids who are raised with morals. That is where the true test comes in with these kids that are being raised with moral values and a strong faith.

I keep reminding my child to always look to Jesus and Mary when she needs help and I’m not there (most of the time I am there since we home school). I gave my child over to Mary so I trust that my child is in good hands.

 

[Brian_C]

I’m Catholic, but I was raised among Evangelicals and know more Evangelicals than I know Catholics. I don’t mean to be a spoil sport here, but I don’t think there is any such thing as an “average” Evangelical or and “average” Catholic. Among both, you have the truly devout; the semi-devout; the secular pretenders and the outright jerks. Being mindful of the perils of generalization, I will say, however, that Catholics around here tend to be a bit more thoughtful, reflective and sophisticated about religion and morals, and a bit more polite. Some of that, I am sure, is cultural, as most Evangelicals around here are the descendants of Scots-Irish mountaineers, many of whome were indentured servants or prisoner deportees, whereas most Catholics in this area are the descendants of continental Europeans who came here with at least a modicum of education. Again, being cautious of generalizations, I would say that when Evangelicals are gone bad, they are obviously gone bad. With Catholics, going bad is much more subtle.

I don’t guess I have contributed very much here, but maybe it’s a start.

WOW, I don’t even know how to respond to this post. I’m not an expert on Ozark settlement but that doesn’t seem to be THAT cautious a statement. As a descendent of continental Catholics AND Scots-Irish cattlemen Presbyterians, I can’t see how either had an edge.

As for Catholics going subtly bad, need I bring up Madonna?

I’m a proud and sometimes arrogant Catholic but…