Catholic Evangelizers: What do you think are the main reasons people reject Catholicism?

[khutcheson]

It may be so that I don’t get it as I haven’t read most of this thread; but I do think that just by looking at your initial response that you did not do his words justice. Saying that there might be people who refrain from converting to Catholicism due to insecurity/cowardice is a perfectly reasonable statement, and I admit I am biased but I sensed no malice in his tone. This does bring up a major issue with online forums though… the vast majority of what is said would be far better done in person, though forums do indeed have their place.

I agree that in person communication is better–without facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, much is lost. Moreover, in my experience, in person communication is often more civil (although in my experience, this board is pretty good about staying civil, not perfect, but usually pretty good).

Had you read more of this thread you might have seen that he apologized for his original post and I apologized for being so thin skinned. (That’s why I didn’t respond to your post–I see no profit in continuing a dispute that was already resolved between the parties).

However, one of the points I was trying to make is that this thread is about evangelization. I am suggesting that if you really think us Protestants are cowards, you are not likely to be effective at evangelization because that attitude will come through loud and clear when we communicate and people’s response to you is not likely to be positive, regardless of how well intentioned you might be.

BTW, I don’t see cowardice as being a likely cause for someone to reject Catholicism, but that’s just my opinion.

 

[Danny_OC]

That’s fair- I have a bad habit of responding to posts early on in threads without reading the rest of them; going through pages of posts can be a quite daunting task. Calling people cowards certainly is no way to evangelize; though I do think, at least among young people, (and I am not thinking primarily of protestants, but moreso of generally the non-religious) that cowardice in the realm of fear of giving up some sexual pleasure is a main force holding people back from Catholicism.

 

[JRKH]

Not sure what happened, but PuzzleAnnie and I had posted on this thread Yesterday afternoon (Her post was 3 and mine 4) and now they are gone. so I am reposting mine since I quoted hers in it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by puzzleannie
my experience, rather than my opinion is:

inability to accept authority not only of the Papacy but of Catholic Church teaching in particular matters of faith, but particularly in matters of morals.

scandal at bad example set by misbehavior and horrendous sins of some Catholics in the present day and histocally.

Resistance, amounting to invincible ignorance, to reading or hearing true doctrine. If a person is wedded to their own belief, until the Holy Spirit is able to open their heart and mind, the words of the human witness will have no effect.

For this reason we continue to sow seeds in our faith and actions as well as in our words, and do not measure success by counting conversions.

may I suggest a question addressed to Catholic evangelizers would engender a better discussion on the evangelization forum, and that a better question for this forum would be one directed to non-Catholics who have encountered Catholic evangelization yet have not decided to convert.

The Biggest single reason across the board has to be authority. This may take many forms but it really boils down to not being able to accept and submit to Christ’s church on Earth.

This is followed, I think, by how they were raised and taught. How they were aculturated in their faith journey. This Resistance, that PuzzleAnnie, speaks of is from their deeply engrained faith in their own belief system as taught to them by people they trust. This is coupled usually by many misunderstandings about what the Church really is and teaches.

I would place scandal in third place because I really think that any negative thing in any Church only adds re-eforcement to the items above. Don’t get me wrong, scandal is a horrible thing and has cost the Church dearly, but even getting past an argument base on scandal will get one no closer to resolving the issue of misunderstandings of the Church or the validity of Church authority.

Peace
James

 

[jmcrae]

BTW, I don’t see cowardice as being a likely cause for someone to reject Catholicism, but that’s just my opinion.

Some Protestants know for a fact that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ, but remain in their Protestant churches out of fear of what family members and friends might think of them - there are considerations like job loss, loss of inheritance, loss of a marriage, and other similar issues in play - this might be considered to be a kind of cowardice, I suppose.

 

[khutcheson]

There is only one reason why and that is ignorance for if Protestants love Jesus which I know most do.They cannot hate,redicule, and dispise Him (the Body of Christ) “the Church” at the same time.

We don’t despise him–we just don’t see the Catholic Church as being Christ.

They cannot concede that the Hail Mary is a prayer out of scripture even though that is clearly what it is.

Not so clearly at all. Moreover, it’s not the Hail Mary I object too, it’s the importance Mary takes on.

They cannot concede that Christ told His Apostles and deciples to hear trangressions and that those sins you forgive are forgiven and those you retain are retained.

Well shucks, of course we concede that–I think that’s completely Biblical, it’s Apostotlic (spelling, sorry) succession I question.

They cannot concede that the Apostles and Deciples baptized whole families to include infants even though it’s there.

Uh actually, many of us do concede that.

They cannot concede that Christ on the cross gave us His Mother when he said to the Apostle This is your Mother and Woman here is your son.

Of course we accept that (concede???) it’s Biblical. I just don’t know what Christ meant when he did that.

They cannot concede that Mary is due deep respect and Admoration after all what do you think Jesus would want?

Actually, what makes me uncomfortable is seeing Mary given the respect due Jesus, I actually listen to the Rosary in my car many afternoons coming back from an appointment. It’s calming. It also makes me uncomfortable as I would rather see Christ as the central figure of this prayer, not his mother.

 

[khutcheson]

Calling people cowards certainly is no way to evangelize; though I do think, at least among young people, (and I am not thinking primarily of protestants, but moreso of generally the non-religious) that cowardice in the realm of fear of giving up some sexual pleasure is a main force holding people back from Catholicism.

That point I will concede, but I think that unwillingness to give up worldly pleasures including sex keeps people from Christ, not just Catholicism.

 

[jmcrae]

That point I will concede, but I think that unwillingness to give up worldly pleasures including sex keeps people from Christ, not just Catholicism.

Well - there are plenty of Protestant groups (not just liberal denominations, but also “house churches” that consider themselves doctrinally conservative) that turn a blind eye to people living together and people in second marriages - if someone is in that situation, it’s a lot easier for them to remain there than to fix their situation in order to become Catholic.

 

[turnorburn]

Well - there are plenty of Protestant groups (not just liberal denominations, but also “house churches” that consider themselves doctrinally conservative) that turn a blind eye to people living together and people in second marriages - if someone is in that situation, it’s a lot easier for them to remain there than to fix their situation in order to become Catholic.

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

Who is turning a blind eye and to what, can you be more specific, reason is I’ve known Catholics to turn a blind eye as well so there you have it the blind leading the blind, + plus why would I want to fix something if it wasn’t broke, I both know my savior and I am going to be with him for all eternity beginning the very day I met him…

Thanks,
turnorburn

 

[jmcrae]

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u298/hogndog/hahaolli-1.gif

Who is turning a blind eye and to what,

Protestant church leadership has been known to turn a blind eye to fornication (living together without a formal marriage) and adultery (a second marriage while the first spouse is still alive).

I both know my savior and I am going to be with him for all eternity beginning the very day I met him…

Great!! If you know your Saviour, then you know that no fornicator and no adulterer shall ever enter into the heavenly gates.

 

[khutcheson]

Well - there are plenty of Protestant groups (not just liberal denominations, but also “house churches” that consider themselves doctrinally conservative) that turn a blind eye to people living together and people in second marriages - if someone is in that situation, it’s a lot easier for them to remain there than to fix their situation in order to become Catholic.

You’re right many Protestant Churches turn a blind eye to people living together, or in second marriages.

I think that in many cases that’s because Protestants consider this something between the individual believer and God, not something that the Church should address.

 

[jmcrae]

You’re right many Protestant Churches turn a blind eye to people living together, or in second marriages.

I think that in many cases that’s because Protestants consider this something between the individual believer and God, not something that the Church should address.

Perhaps it is because, at some instinctive level, Protestant leaders know that they have no authority from Christ.

 

[Theodora]

**Rejecting Catholicism, I think, has a lot to do on how the mind has been conditioned. **

One who is convinced that the Bible only is the way to go will have a tough time to switch thinking from the” Bible and me” to a system that says “the Church declares what to believe." This is such an unheard concept. Who me? Give up my independent thinking and someone else telling me what to believe? No way

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**Instead of blaming what is wrong with the non-catholic, the catholic evangelizer should first take a very long look at himself. How did Jesus started his mission? He prepared himself with an exceptionally long period of prayer and fasting. **

I am trying to keep in mind what the original question of this post asks, but I can not help, but turn it around that instead of blaming the other person for not being able or wanting to see the Catholic point of view, the responsibility really lies with the Catholic evangelizer to try to overcome with Christ Spirit what is being negatively attributed to the one being evangelized.

---

Not an easy task. Our constant prayer should be: "Jesus, please walk with me."

 

[khutcheson]

Perhaps it is because, at some instinctive level, Protestant leaders know that they have no authority from Christ.

Hmmmm…or, because they see the role of the Church being different than Catholics do. We see Christianity as a personal relationship with Christ and the Church is peripheral to the believers direct relationship with Christ. Hence, yes, your point about authority is well taken but not entirely fair unless you address the difference between the Catholic view of the Church in Salvation and the Protestant view.

 

[SIA]

i tend to think it is mostly pride… (but maybe i think that because of the particular anti-Catholics i have run into?)

What do you think are the 3 main reasons?

Th three main reasons in my mind that people reject Catholicism in my mind are:

1. Because they truly know Catholicism and reject its teachings on the basis of Scripture and Tradition and Reason.
2. Because they know folks who are Catholic and do not like them.
3. Because they are ignorant of what Catholicism is and believe outlandish fables about it.

 

[tGette]

Actually, what makes me uncomfortable is seeing Mary given the respect due Jesus, I actually listen to the Rosary in my car many afternoons coming back from an appointment. It’s calming. It also makes me uncomfortable as I would rather see Christ as the central figure of this prayer, not his mother.

For the record:
The Rosary is focused on Jesus. That is why there are the Mysteries. Each decade is dedicated to meditating upon the life of Christ. We simply ask Mary to pray for us while we think about what our Savior did for us while on earth.

Anywho…

I think three reasons, which seem to have been mentioned in one way or another are:

1. Misconceptions about the Church
2. Innocently (maybe sometimes ignorantly or even not innocently) believing that all of Christianity is the same
3. A bad experience with (or perception of) the Church’s members

 

[iaskquestions]

I am curious. I am not anti-Catholic. I am also quite happy as I am. I am neither a coward, nor prideful, nor arrogant as you seem to suggest. Do you believe that everyone who is not Catholic is these things? Perhaps your attitude is why we aren’t Catholic!

I had misunderstood the question. Please read post 16.

 

[iaskquestions]

Your scriptural referent suggests you believe that only Roman Catholics are saved. That would be a tad presumptuous would it not, and quite inaccurate from your own teachings I would think.

No. I believe that those who are joined to the body of Christ (through a valid trinitarian baptism (Catholics and some Protestants) or baptism of desire (non-Catholics)) will be saved provided they respond to God’s grace with faith working in love.

 

[iaskquestions]

Had Jesus been God/son of God, I rather doubt that he would have noted that billions upon billions of human beings were created - by he or his father - only to ‘miss the boat’ [barque of Peter?] [eternal salvation?]

Am I to understand that even ‘baptism of desire’ still ends up
with the select few saved? “…those who find it are few?”]

This says more - about the God of Christianity -
than it does in terms of poor, hapless humanity.

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few. [Matt.7:14]

reen12

There might be millions of people in the world who have the baptism of desire. How can we know their number? We know for sure the number of those who have a valid trinitarian baptism, but we can never know the number of Protestants, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. who have the baptism of desire.

Billions were created. Yes. But they had a free will. God will not enforce his will upon anyone. It’s their choice.

 

[RobHom]

Th three main reasons in my mind that people reject Catholicism in my mind are:

1. Because they truly know Catholicism and reject its teachings on the basis of Scripture and Tradition and Reason.

Have you ever read the book “Catholicism and Reason”? I think you might find that book quite interesting for a “Catholic Apologetics” book. It makes a lot of sense.

1. Because they know folks who are Catholic and do not like them.

Would their dislike be based upon “prejudicial” factors as in simply because they are Catholic, or would it be for other social reasons? I have been asked what my religion is, and have been treated poorly based upon my telling them. And those people knew nothing of me except what I said, and said “non-confrontationally”.

1. Because they are ignorant of what Catholicism is and believe outlandish fables about it.

On that count I must agree!! Its true and yet sad at the same time.

BTW…those were serious and friendly questions.

Peace!

 

[anon52328184]

when i told my friend i was joining the Catholic church, she asked me if i was sure that is what i wanted to do. i told her i was sure. she said she thought the church was too structured for her. most people don’t want the Pope telling them what to do. they want to worship and have their own personal relationship with Jesus. i feel they really don’t know what it is to be Catholic or the history of the Catholic church. they feel it is too strict. mary is a big stumbling block for some people. there are so many reasons.