Catholics Converting to Evangelical: More Fun and Happy

[Sixtus]

Athiest can be broken down into the root word and a prefix…

Namely:

A = without
theo = God
ist = practiticioner.

Certain schools of Bhudism are without reference or belief in a God. Notably they call for meditation over prayer.

Yes, in fact some of it is atheistic… It is without the concept of a god.

This does not mean that these are bad people. It is not an insult. It is a simple recognition of their beliefs.

Buddhism may not believe in our concept of God but they are still deist. They believe ultimately in the Spirit energy which we call Almighty God.

I once read a tract from Thomas Merton * in which he argued that the ultimate state when the universe is spent and all created Spirit return to Him, that state is entirely consistent with what Buddhists believe. I no longer have the book from which it came so apologise for not being able to reference it. No doubt other’s may be able to do so.*

 

[rlg94086]

I was watching a special on the History Channel last night, and it discussed a Nazi exploration team that went to Tibet. They do believe in deities and demons. Therefore, they are not atheist. They would be better described as polytheist.

Buddhism may not believe in our concept of God but they are still deist. They believe ultimately in the Spirit energy which we call Almighty God.

I once read a tract from Thomas Merton * in which he argued that the ultimate state when the universe is spent and all created Spirit return to Him, that state is entirely consistent with what Buddhists believe. I no longer have the book from which it came so apologise for not being able to reference it. No doubt other’s may be able to do so.*

 

[Theodore]

Mass should be more “fun and happy?”
A number of years back I was at a small-group discussion on the liturgy. The moderator went around the room asking each participant why he/she went to Mass. The answers ranged from “for fellowship” to “to hear the Word broken open” to “to praise God” and so on. When it got to me and I spoke up, there were instant icicles in that room. What I said, however, still applies today. “I go to Mass to adore and receive the Lord of the universe Who appears on the altar.”
I think we need to realize, really realize, that the joy that comes at Mass is interior far more than the exterior signs of “fun and happy.” Fun and happy are not bad–but they can be a form of seeking after spiritual consolations rather than seeking the One Who is, Himself, THE spiritual consolation.
Pax Domini!

Yep i agree !! What people ought to do is read more about the Saints ( who after all are our example ) that way they might realize what the Mass and the Eucharist is all about …

 

[Ravyn_Guiliani]

shouldn’t that be Catholics DIVERTING to Evangelical? How can a Catholic ‘convert’ when the Catholic Church is the true Church? Divert-Devert(is there such a word?)-Revert…maybe. But ‘convert’ gives the sense of trading up…how can a Catholic trade up?

 

[rlg94086]

shouldn’t that be Catholics DIVERTING to Evangelical? How can a Catholic ‘convert’ when the Catholic Church is the true Church? Divert-Devert(is there such a word?)-Revert…maybe. But ‘convert’ gives the sense of trading up…how can a Catholic trade up?

No conversion just means changing from one religion to another. There is no value judgment…like converting my dollars to euros and back again.

Webster: 1 a : to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another .

 

[Theodore]

And I didn’t mean to be flip, but I am very confident that many Catholics that we all see leaving the Church for the emotional feel good stuff they get out there, will eventually return home for the above reasons.

They will find out in due time they have entered a world of confusion and false promises. The only faith that will adequately see them through the times of serious trial and suffering is the one they have left behind, and the one that will call them home to open arms.

 

[Theodore]

AMEN !!!

 

[retrovert]

I went through that same thing. I did’nt think the Catholic Church was lively enough and was’nt “with it”. It was’nt until I started studying the faith and came to the realization that this is the only church started by Jesus Christ. Not Luther, not Wycliff, not Calvin, but Christ Himself!! How’s that for starters? And it’s been in exsistence for 2000 years. The longest lived organization in the history of the world.
So if you ever get sick of those long sermons, loud music, potluck dinners and Wed night bible studies, why don’t you check us out. Trade in your crayon christianity for the real thing. You’ll never regret it. I sure haven’t.

Retrovert

 

[Theodore]

Atheism is fun, and makes much more sense after many years of catholic school. Just as many morals as any religion or philosophy, and with a scientific background and open mind to new possibilities.

As for my Born Again family members, many of them are biased towards me for having an open mind towards the “Da Vinci Code” and towards practicing Buddhist meditation and supporting evolution.

So I think that being a free thinker with an open mind and no set beliefs is perfect. I’m a Buddhist today, which some would say makes me an Atheist, but I practice compassion every minute of my day, so it all works out. I’d recommend viewing like from the Atheistic side, it’s pretty wonderful.

The bottom line is, we are all subjects of a Divine Law, the immoveable Cause, how else can you explain the universe with all its wonders. There is no other choice, to deny GOD is to deny oneself . All science is governed by laws and those laws come from a LAW MAKER… I’m not a intellectual but i am a realist , everything you see around yourself has been made by some one. Maybe you would like to explain to me " the watch without the watch maker … God Bless… Theo

 

[jazzy_987]

Well, I love having everything “fun” and “happy” style, but I have been to Evangelical services before and they just don’t seem the same.
Also, Communion is symbolic for Evangelicals, but it’s real for Catholics. And the style of the two services are so completely different… well it’s hard to describe but I don’t get the same feeling as in Mass. If I converted I know I would never get used to the services.

 

[Jane_K]

I went through that same thing. I did’nt think the Catholic Church was lively enough and was’nt “with it”. It was’nt until I started studying the faith and came to the realization that this is the only church started by Jesus Christ. Not Luther, not Wycliff, not Calvin, but Christ Himself!! How’s that for starters? And it’s been in exsistence for 2000 years. The longest lived organization in the history of the world.
So if you ever get sick of those long sermons, loud music, potluck dinners and Wed night bible studies, why don’t you check us out. Trade in your crayon christianity for the real thing. You’ll never regret it. I sure haven’t.

Retrovert

Welcome back home and well said! :clapping:
Pax Domini!

 

[Genesis315]

The key is not more and better entertainment, but more and better education.

The world offers many things that satisfy the senses, but only the Catholic Church offers what satisfies the soul.

 

[DebChris]

My 12 yr old daughter and I recently went to a different parish for mass. After mass we were talking about the music, which she liked much more than at our parish music and I disliked the music (too folksy and they sang the Our Father). Concerned that she may be putting too much importance on the music, I asked her “What one thing being missing from the mass would it no longer be mass?” She answer “The Eucharist. That’s a stupid question.”

Personally, I like music I can sing (beat and key) and that makes my soul feel like it is exclaiming the glory of God.

Almost every parish to which I have belonged sings the Our Father on Sundays. We are called to give honor and glory to God, to offer a sacrifice of praise.
Catholics who leave the Church to join evangelical denominations have never experienced a charismatic Mass. The presence of God, especially in the Eucharist, is papable.

 

[theweeper]

Well, I love having everything “fun” and “happy” style, but I have been to Evangelical services before and they just don’t seem the same.
Also, Communion is symbolic for Evangelicals, but it’s real for Catholics. And the style of the two services are so completely different… well it’s hard to describe but I don’t get the same feeling as in Mass. If I converted I know I would never get used to the services.

today i was thinking why we protestants didn’t meet daily like the early christians. then it accured to me how could we? the service is so sermon centered. the preacher takes days or sometimes weeks to research and prepare the sermon. but when the service is centered on the Eucharist… IT’S REAL

 

[ASimpleSinner]

today i was thinking why we protestants didn’t meet daily like the early christians. then it accured to me how could we? the service is so sermon centered. the preacher takes days or sometimes weeks to research and prepare the sermon. but when the service is centered on the Eucharist… IT’S REAL

Watch out! You are getting mighty close to discovering the historic and traditional practice of the liturgical life of the Church - a life shared by the Early Christians whose practice evolved and developed from that of the temple!

Eveangelicals, who have such love for the Scriptures and have taken to study a lot about the temple worship in Israel spoken of in the Old Testament would do well to ponder - if God had ordained for such to be the worship of His people in the Old Covenant, is it that difficult or problematic to think that He would ordain for His people today to also have a prayer and worship life of liturgy?

Commonly I hear the objection raised against the Mass “That is repetitive and boring…” Can you picture the devout Jews of Old Israel in the Temple saying the same? Can you imagine the high priest in the Holy of Holys opting to set aside his priestly duties to instead preach a sermon according to what he wanted, and lead the congregation gathered in song?

If Old Israel had proscribed liturgical temple worship working on a calendar with feasts, fasts, and a lectionary, why wouldn’t the New Israel have it as well?

 

[Theodore]

I believe Catholics that leave do not understand or comprehend the Eucharist. They are as the seeds sown on rocky soil-they sprang up at once, but withered due to lack of roots. Catholics of weak faith or who are losing their faith seek “entertaining” denominations. Those of other denominations who seek the joy of the Lord, the fullness of truth, and a deepening and maturing relationship with God are drawn to the Catholic church.

Christ’s peace to all.

AMEN !!

 

[richwmiller]

The church growth movement in Protestant churches puts a great emphasis on music and entertainment to get people to attend, and so spur church growth. (for example, the Purpose Driven Church). I’ve been to churches that do this and find that much of the time, the preaching is over-simple and shallow.

Unfortunately many priests give sermons that are over-simple and shallow

People that only leave the Church for the more entertaining evangelical churches, don’t have a mature understanding of the Mass and the Eucharist and what it all means. It is to worship God, not be entertained or amused on a natural level.

Often the faith is not preached. They aren’t told what the church believes. We only hear. “Be nice. Love Jesus.” What does that mean??

 

[po18guy]

Unfortunately many priests give sermons that are over-simple and shallow

Often the faith is not preached. They aren’t told what the church believes. We only hear. “Be nice. Love Jesus.” What does that mean??

Not all priests are Saint Paul in their teaching abilites. But, ALL commit confessory sin if they do not pray and reflect before preaching their homily.

Consider: When Christ appeared before the Apostles behind the locked doors, he said, “Peace”. He repeated it. Sometimes, that seems over-simplified.

The PEACE of Christ to all.

 

[ElizabethPH]

I plan to suggest more things through the youth group. Thanks.

I certainly hope you don’t encourage your youth to show up at Mass in shorts, t shirts and thongs.

I don’t know about your parish; but mine has plenty of programs that adults as well as youths can get involved in; from catechism classes for adults to a program called Why Catholic. Every parishioner is encouraged to participate. The learning programs are out there offered by the church; seems to me it is the responsibility of the parishioner to become informed.

I think leaving the church because you want better music is a cop out…and an excuse; and there are underlying reasons to why they really leave.

 

[Sixtus]

I certainly hope you don’t encourage your youth to show up at Mass in shorts, t shirts and thongs.

.

Actually it is improper dress to ‘show up for Mass in shorts and thongs’.