Catholic allowed to attend Christian Bible prayer group?

[ericc]

It’s better not to go. Your opinion will not be respected.

I was non-denominational the first half of my life and even as a kid I recognized how they seemed to make things up and bend scripture. It all seemed contrived.

Look up 2 Timothy 4: 3,4.

Or is it we don’t have enough Master Bible knowledge workers to challenge, protect, defend the Catholic faith in those study groups? If one is weak, one will be pummeled to submission/silence. I don’t have great chapter/verse memorising skills so I don’t think I can make it through intact. But if one is talented, I see great opportunities to enlighten those attendees.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Have you found nice Christian friends in that Christian group?
Ever attended other Sunday services with them?

I was at a Protestant Mass once, besides all the singing, and the use of the Our Father and Glory Be, and Bible,

It felt so empty:

• no True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist (which even St Paul wrote about in the Bible, and which Jesus spoke of in His preaching and at the Last Supper),
  -no priest with Jesus authority to forgive sin (an authority He gave to the apostles before the Ascension),
  -No presence of the saints or Our Lady, (our Lady who is mentioned in Revelation as the one who God has chosen to crush the head of the serpent, just like God chose St Michael to cast Satan to hell, the intercession of saints is mentioned in Revelation as bowls filled before Gods throne, Jesus Himself accepted the intercession of Moses and Elijah when God sent them to Him on Mount Sinai, Jesus also accepted the intercession of an angel who God sent to comfort Him in the Garden of Gethsemene), Catholics don’t worship the saints but we biblically accept and ask for them to pray for us,

(if a person is strong on their faith by God’s grace and it will not lead them out of the True Faith of the Catholic Church, then it is okay for Catholics to pray to Jesus with other Christian denominations)

I have made some Christian friends through this. I have been to non-Catholic Sunday services as I am in a mixed marriage and we try to get to each other’s every so often. On a superficial level it is nice to have people to go to church with and we sometimes eat with people afterwards whereas I go to mass alone and don’t really know anyone though I am trying to build up some rapport, its a much slower process. Beyond the social aspect I prefer the mass and the Eucharist is important to me.

 

[DanielStDominic]

There isn’t a comprehensive rulebook sitting in the library for the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith that tells us when we can and can’t attend a protestant event or a Muslim event or a non-Catholic event.

Be that as it may, it is a fact that it was previously verboten for a Catholic to attend such services altogether, and even to read Protestant Bibles in one’s own home. In a popular culture wherein the epitome of spirituality might be perceived in the work of someone like Mister Rogers, such rules might appear to be rigorist. But nonetheless, they were made to protect souls from heresy and, ultimately, were rooted in a great love for God and His Truth.

While it is true that rules can be relaxed, that concessions can be made, that indults can be granted, and that none of that upsets the legitimacy of Magisterial authority, it would nonetheless take some degree of ignorance to find old laws to be malignant to one’s spiritual health simply because they are no longer binding.

So while today’s Magisterium might not go into the sort of details on this subject as you rightfully point out, TK, nonetheless it should not be taken for granted that yesterday’s Magisterium never did, nor that their reasons for so doing should not be sincerely and deeply reflected upon.

 

[TC3033]

Have you found nice Christian friends in that Christian group?
Ever attended other Sunday services with them?

I was at a Protestant Mass once, besides all the singing, and the use of the Our Father and Glory Be, and Bible,

It felt so empty:

• no True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist (which even St Paul wrote about in the Bible, and which Jesus spoke of in His preaching and at the Last Supper),
  -no priest with Jesus authority to forgive sin (an authority He gave to the apostles before the Ascension),
  -No presence of the saints or Our Lady, (our Lady who is mentioned in Revelation as the one who God has chosen to crush the head of the serpent, just like God chose St Michael to cast Satan to hell, the intercession of saints is mentioned in Revelation as bowls filled before Gods throne, Jesus Himself accepted the intercession of Moses and Elijah when God sent them to Him on Mount Sinai, Jesus also accepted the intercession of an angel who God sent to comfort Him in the Garden of Gethsemene), Catholics don’t worship the saints but we biblically accept and ask for them to pray for us,

(if a person is strong on their faith by God’s grace and it will not lead them out of the True Faith of the Catholic Church, then it is okay for Catholics to pray to Jesus with other Christian denominations)

I think that the bolded in your statement really depends on your denomination too.

I personally get that empty feeling when I go to Catholic Mass with my wife, kids, and in-laws.

 

[MichaelP3]

Hold for a moment please; am I understanding that it is now an issue whether or not it is possible to pray validly without making the sign of the cross?

Hi Peter J

Not to me, I didn’t even remotely think about it. But it seems it is to a certain poster. Better Catechesis is a sentiment I am starting to agree with many people on here.

 

[Darryl_B]

Friend did you find that their relationship to the Holy Spirit was very similar to the Roman Catholic Charismatic Renewal? Or have you joined the Roman Catholic Charismatic renewal prayer meetings yet?

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (when genuine and true) has the Holy Spirits charisms and the fullness also of the Catholic.faith: confession, Our Lady, Eucharist etc

I have found that the Holy Spirit is a still quiet voice in the darkness of the night, convicting and leading souls in the direction of Home. For myself at the moment the most important charism I can think of is the Holy Orders. I have heard of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, but I have also read a book from the 1980s which was seeing the decline of that renewal.

 

[Peter_J]

Hi Peter J

Not to me, I didn’t even remotely think about it. But it seems it is to a certain poster. Better Catechesis is a sentiment I am starting to agree with many people on here.

Let me just say, I’m all for free speech, but I worry about people reading it and thinking “Oh, so then Catholics believe that the SOC is necessary for a prayer to be valid.” (See also my recent conversation with inocente.) Just as you and other Protestants presumably worry about people reading things on CARM or other Protestant forums and thinking those things are “what Protestants believe”.

 

[Peter_J]

Let me just say, I’m all for free speech, but I worry about people reading it and thinking “Oh, so then Catholics believe that the SOC is necessary for a prayer to be valid.” (See also my recent conversation with inocente.) Just as you and other Protestants presumably worry about people reading things on CARM or other Protestant forums and thinking those things are “what Protestants believe”.

That being said I’d like to add, while I’m offended by the idea that the SOC is necessary for a prayer to be valid, I myself do make the Sign of the Cross a lot. I don’t see to so much as a Catholic vs Protestant thing, I just think that – RCs and Protestants alike – make prayer too much a matter of what words we say, and I think the SOC helps me to counterbalance that a bit.

 

[MichaelP3]

That being said I’d like to add, while I’m offended by the idea that the SOC is necessary for a prayer to be valid, I myself do make the Sign of the Cross a lot. I don’t see to so much as a Catholic vs Protestant thing, I just think that – RCs and Protestants alike – make prayer too much a matter of what words we say, and I think the SOC helps me to counterbalance that a bit.

Actually I appreciate this post.

The SOC can help you in many ways! Blessings !!!

 

[Peter_J]

Actually I appreciate this post.

The SOC can help you in many ways! Blessings !!!

Cool. Maybe we’ll bring you in yet!

Heh. Okay maybe not. But one thing I should add to my last post: one pragmatic reason for making the sign of the cross a lot is that often I don’t have a picture of God around to look at.

 

[MichaelP3]

Cool. Maybe we’ll bring you in yet!

Heh. Okay maybe not. But one thing I should add to my last post: one pragmatic reason for making the sign of the cross a lot is that often I don’t have a picture of God around to look at.

And I personally do not have any problem whatsoever with the SOC.

Rather it just falls within the practices within Catholicism I consider very possibly helpful though not needed. (Although I know the SOC is not mandatory, other things I place in this category are).

 

[Rosebud77]

It’s better not to go. Your opinion will not be respected.

I was non-denominational the first half of my life and even as a kid I recognized how they seemed to make things up and bend scripture. It all seemed contrived.

Look up 2 Timothy 4: 3,4.

Not true

I came into the catholic church because as an Anglican living in a totally catholic environment my “opinion” and my life style were respected and valued. There was mutual respect and harmony whether or not I actually joined the catholic church

 

[Rosebud77]

That’s because they all think we’re devil worshippers … or something, I forget the details.

nonsense! Your idea I mean. I have never heard or seen that. The greatest act of disharmony I have heard was when a fine young woman working at a supermarket checkout referred to herself as a “dirty protty” as that is what she had been called by yes, catholics.

 

[Rosebud77]

Haha, that’s funny, that roundabout comment,

Catholics are baptised at birth, receive Our Lord’s Body.and Blood at First Communion, and at confirmation make Baptismal Vows to Jesus, (three Sacraments of initiation)
The Apostles were given the Catholic Faith by Jesus Himself and later also.from.the Holy Spirit, the Apostles.wrote a historical document called.the Didache which clearly outlines the church as the.catholic church we have today with the Sacraments, they passed all their teachings received to.the Church Fathers (who have extensive historical writings), who passed this to the Early Christians. Which has been passed down for 2017 years in the Catholic Church
Amen

That is a distortion and misappropriation of the Didache which is not the sole "property of the Catholic church. but very much so of the catholic church.
It is simple and free of all the doctrinal ramifications and rules that have been imposed since and have diluted and distorted so much.

 

[Rosebud77]

I go to a weekly non-Catholic Christian group. I am upfront about being Catholic and its never been a problem. I don’t think the Catholic bunker attitude is sustainable anymore to be honest.

Amen to that. THank you

 

[Rosebud77]

Have you found nice Christian friends in that Christian group?
Ever attended other Sunday services with them?

I was at a Protestant Mass once, besides all the singing, and the use of the Our Father and Glory Be, and Bible,

It felt so empty:

That was your idea

“When 2 or 3 are gathered in my Name, I am among them.” ALLELUIA

 

[Reuben_J]

What if hypothetically someone has no Catholic friends their own age, (no Catholic youth groups nearby at all) would it be a bad idea to go to such prayer meetings to find Christian friends instead?

I would not encourage it. Not for anything but if it is for finding friends, I would think the intention is misplaced. One can find a friend anywhere, and they may not necessarily those of one’s age group.

I strongly advise Catholics especially youth, to join any group in the church, and start from there. It is beneficial also for the right spiritual growth.

I know it’s tough to mix with different age group but it would be probably made easier if the focus is strongly on Jesus and growth. Sister and brotherhood is still possible to be built even in where the age gap is big.

Not that Catholics cannot go to Protestant services or prayer meeting, but if they have to, it should be as secondary activity, meaning low commitment or priority.

 

[Wannano]

I would not encourage it. Not for anything but if it is for finding friends, I would think the intention is misplaced. One can find a friend anywhere, and they may not necessarily those of one’s age group.

I strongly advise Catholics especially youth, to join any group in the church, and start from there. It is beneficial also for the right spiritual growth.

I know it’s tough to mix with different age group but it would be probably made easier if the focus is strongly on Jesus and growth. Sister and brotherhood is still possible to be built even in where the age gap is big.

Not that Catholics cannot go to Protestant services or prayer meeting, but if they have to, it should be as secondary activity, meaning low commitment or priority.

I am not sure I follow the logic of your last sentence. If the genuine concern is that Catholics may become corrupted in their faith by attending a Protestant service what possible difference can it make for the Catholic to make sure attending is a low priority?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I would not encourage it. Not for anything but if it is for finding friends, I would think the intention is misplaced. One can find a friend anywhere, and they may not necessarily those of one’s age group.

I strongly advise Catholics especially youth, to join any group in the church, and start from there. It is beneficial also for the right spiritual growth.

I know it’s tough to mix with different age group but it would be probably made easier if the focus is strongly on Jesus and growth. Sister and brotherhood is still possible to be built even in where the age gap is big.

Not that Catholics cannot go to Protestant services or prayer meeting, but if they have to, it should be as secondary activity, meaning low commitment or priority.

On a practical level many groups for older Catholics meet during work hours, not unreasonable, the winter evenings are dark and cold here but it’s not much help for the working Catholic who is looking for fellowship.

That’s not to say I am not trying to socialise with people at my parish but it’s a much slower process as the opportunities are few and far between compared with this Christian group. To be fair the people at this group are a whole spectrum of different ages which I suppose is a lot easier than being an odd one out.

 

[Reuben_J]

I am not sure I follow the logic of your last sentence. If the genuine concern is that Catholics may become corrupted in their faith by attending a Protestant service what possible difference can it make for the Catholic to make sure attending is a low priority?

It follows my advice of not attending Protestant services or prayer meeting; at least not in a regular manner. When one is regular it is a commitment, which becomes a priority. So if they have to attend, it should not come to that.

Frankly, there is nothing good that would come out of it for a Catholic but the OP’s intention was to find friends, which I would grant as much. On other hand, I suggest to join a Catholic parish group, regardless of the age group, which of course can be challenging for young people to do.

However, I have seen younger members in a group of much older people and they do have roles to play there, so it is not totally boring or out of place for them.

I would suggest focusing more on Christ which perhaps can overcome the difficulty in adjusting to the different in age factor.

Does that explain anything?