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GladTidings
Guest
I’m not folllowing.
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RomanChristian
Guest
I use to be Roman Catholic , I converted to Orthodox Christian and have never regret it. I just didn’t want to be RC anymore. Your religion wasn’t doing anything for faith wise. I needed to find Christ in my life and RC denomination wasn’t able to do that. In my Church I have true presences of Christ in the hosts and a Church that is also straight lace and not prone having tons of failings. I left because I had all that I could take in the Catholic Church. The Orthodox Christian Church won’t throw out the Divine Liturgy just to make acceptable to Protestants. I’m sorry if someone is offended by what I said but, but felt I wanted to speak my mind and weigh in on this chat. Maybe if you listen to a person who left the RC denomination maybe you would sit up and notice what going on in you struggles your Church has. I’m not anything I just tell you the truth. I have many friends who are Catholics who pratices their faith and both Nuns and priests. So I must be a okay person if I can have friends that are from your Church. The Orthodox Christian Church has really shown me what it truly means to be a good Christian, I’m deeply grateful to the Church for that. I given my two cents.
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Crocus
Guest
I take no offence at what you say. I ask God’s abundant blessings on you and your family and your faith community.
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hmikell7
Guest
‘simplicity’ is as close to an antonym of ‘theology’ as I can think of
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Dorothy
Guest
Perhaps the readings from the Psalms are being included.
Sorry, but this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Traditionally, it is believed that the Catholic Church was founded here on Earth on the Feast of Pentecost, seven weeks after the Resurrection of our Lord that occurred on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday and Pentecost occurred somewhere around 31 - 33 A.D (depending on which the Biblical scholar one’s citing). In any case, it’s LESS than 2000 years ago. 
It’s better to state that the Catholic Church was founded almost 2000 year ago (or about 2000 years ago).
It’s better to state that the Catholic Church was founded almost 2000 year ago (or about 2000 years ago).
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Sarabande
Guest
I haven’t posted on here for quite a while mainly because I had gone back to school a couple of years ago and was just really busy with life. I just read posts once in a while. In fact, I haven’t been on here for about a year.
In regard to the OP, I don’t think the Catholic Church will become obsolete, even though we are seeing former Catholics going to non-demoninational churches or losing faith all together. The Church might become smaller, but it won’t go away. You might see a concentration of more fervant, faithful Catholics compared to having a huge Church, with a lot of cultural Catholics, or Catholics who were only nominally educated in the faith, for instance. One of my best friends is a Protestant minister and she says from the Protestant conferences she attends, there is a lot of concern, because all denominations are finding this problem of losing faithful. This is true not only in the Catholic churches and mainline protestant churches, but even in non-denominational ones. She was telling me that non-denominational churches aren’t growing as fast as they used to, apparently.
I have Catholic friends who left the Church for a non-denominational Church after moving down South in less Catholic-friendly areas. I also have family who fell away, became atheists, then born again, non-denominational. My experiences with non-denominational Christians, especially those who were formally Catholic have been negative ones, so I don’t want to get into it. I realize everyone has their own spiritual journey. I wish everyone well with it and I wish you well. I pray you will find spiritual peace.
In regard to the OP, I don’t think the Catholic Church will become obsolete, even though we are seeing former Catholics going to non-demoninational churches or losing faith all together. The Church might become smaller, but it won’t go away. You might see a concentration of more fervant, faithful Catholics compared to having a huge Church, with a lot of cultural Catholics, or Catholics who were only nominally educated in the faith, for instance. One of my best friends is a Protestant minister and she says from the Protestant conferences she attends, there is a lot of concern, because all denominations are finding this problem of losing faithful. This is true not only in the Catholic churches and mainline protestant churches, but even in non-denominational ones. She was telling me that non-denominational churches aren’t growing as fast as they used to, apparently.
I have Catholic friends who left the Church for a non-denominational Church after moving down South in less Catholic-friendly areas. I also have family who fell away, became atheists, then born again, non-denominational. My experiences with non-denominational Christians, especially those who were formally Catholic have been negative ones, so I don’t want to get into it. I realize everyone has their own spiritual journey. I wish everyone well with it and I wish you well. I pray you will find spiritual peace.
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billsannie
Guest
I have known many people who have converted to Protestantism. I have never known anyone who has left because they were poorly catechized. Indeed, some were very well catechized, having a very fine, Pre-Vatican II Catholic education. In my experience, poorly catechized people are much more likely to stay in the Catholic Church.
So then why do they leave? Of course, the exact reasons are as varied as the people who leave, but in very general terms it has to do with the other thing you said. The Catholic Church can indeed be a very uncomfortable boat. And people simply don’t see how a church where they feel so much more fed spiritually and have so much more support from other Christians can be nothing more than a floating chair. I hate to say this but the only thing the Catholic Church has that other churches don’t do better is the Eucharist. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the Eucharist as the unique Body of Christ.
So then why do they leave? Of course, the exact reasons are as varied as the people who leave, but in very general terms it has to do with the other thing you said. The Catholic Church can indeed be a very uncomfortable boat. And people simply don’t see how a church where they feel so much more fed spiritually and have so much more support from other Christians can be nothing more than a floating chair. I hate to say this but the only thing the Catholic Church has that other churches don’t do better is the Eucharist. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the Eucharist as the unique Body of Christ.
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lilypadrees
Guest
I’ve heard former Catholics say they left because the Church didn’t teach them about Jesus and the Protestant churches did. 
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Peeps
Guest
This thread is so long–I’ve probably already posted this, and if so, I apologize.
My husband and I are converts to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestantism. We were involved in non-denominational churches at times, although because of their governing system, I am now quite opposed to them and believe that they can be dangerous places for Christians.
In a denomination, there is some kind of central governing body, called a “consistory” or a “council” or a “convention”–names vary. This Gov. Body determines what doctrines their member churches shall and shall not teach. The Gov Body also vets pastors, missionaries, college professors, evangelists, sometimes musicians (those who travel and present programs to many churches in the denomination), and certain lay people. The Gov. Body vets teaching materials, Sunday school and VBS curricula, hymnals, the denominational newsletter or magazine/newspaper, etc.
And the Gov. Body hears and rules on grievances filed by laypeople in their churches, and also filed by employees of the denomination.
On the surface, this sounds dictatorial and oppressive, and it can be very bad depending on who is in charge of the Gov. Body. If a carnal Christian, a heretic, a secret sinner, etc.–someone who is not true to the Christian faith, is in a leadership position on the Gov. Body, things can go very bad for the denomination. The notable example is how many denominations have caved to popular thinking and have pronounced that abortion is acceptable in certain circumstances such as rape, incest, or 'danger to the life of the mother."
There are many other examples of various doctrines that have been diluted by bad leadership in the Gov. Bodies. (Protestant doctrines, many of which Catholics already consider “bad!”) One example, IMO (just my opinion–most folks disagree with me!) is the number of denominations that have adopted the New International Version of the Bible as their “official” Bible. Ick! I’ve also heard of denominations that use The Message, which is just a paraphrase! Ick! And of course, there are the many denominations that still adhere to the old King James Version as “the best Bible”! Ick again!
Anyway, there are problems with a Gov. Body.
But there are MORE problems when there is no Gov. Body, mainly that there is no safety net and no assurance that the non-denominational church will have any protection of teachings and doctrine.
One notable example is the Jim Jones tragedy. Jim Jones came out of the non-denominational “Campbellite” churches: Christian church (deliberate lower case of “church:”), Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ.
In these churches, there is no central governing body, so there was NO ONE to step in and examine Jim Jones and his antics and teachings, and NO ONE with the authority to stop him.
continued next post
My husband and I are converts to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestantism. We were involved in non-denominational churches at times, although because of their governing system, I am now quite opposed to them and believe that they can be dangerous places for Christians.
In a denomination, there is some kind of central governing body, called a “consistory” or a “council” or a “convention”–names vary. This Gov. Body determines what doctrines their member churches shall and shall not teach. The Gov Body also vets pastors, missionaries, college professors, evangelists, sometimes musicians (those who travel and present programs to many churches in the denomination), and certain lay people. The Gov. Body vets teaching materials, Sunday school and VBS curricula, hymnals, the denominational newsletter or magazine/newspaper, etc.
And the Gov. Body hears and rules on grievances filed by laypeople in their churches, and also filed by employees of the denomination.
On the surface, this sounds dictatorial and oppressive, and it can be very bad depending on who is in charge of the Gov. Body. If a carnal Christian, a heretic, a secret sinner, etc.–someone who is not true to the Christian faith, is in a leadership position on the Gov. Body, things can go very bad for the denomination. The notable example is how many denominations have caved to popular thinking and have pronounced that abortion is acceptable in certain circumstances such as rape, incest, or 'danger to the life of the mother."
There are many other examples of various doctrines that have been diluted by bad leadership in the Gov. Bodies. (Protestant doctrines, many of which Catholics already consider “bad!”) One example, IMO (just my opinion–most folks disagree with me!) is the number of denominations that have adopted the New International Version of the Bible as their “official” Bible. Ick! I’ve also heard of denominations that use The Message, which is just a paraphrase! Ick! And of course, there are the many denominations that still adhere to the old King James Version as “the best Bible”! Ick again!
Anyway, there are problems with a Gov. Body.
But there are MORE problems when there is no Gov. Body, mainly that there is no safety net and no assurance that the non-denominational church will have any protection of teachings and doctrine.
One notable example is the Jim Jones tragedy. Jim Jones came out of the non-denominational “Campbellite” churches: Christian church (deliberate lower case of “church:”), Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ.
In these churches, there is no central governing body, so there was NO ONE to step in and examine Jim Jones and his antics and teachings, and NO ONE with the authority to stop him.
continued next post
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Peeps
Guest
continued from last post
That’s an extreme example, but there are plenty of smaller examples of non-denoms where a powerful, charismatic, outgoing pastor took over leadership of the church and everything went to pieces. Bad doctrines, non-Scriptural teachings and expectations, scandals–and there was no recourse for the church members, no one for them to go to and plead for help.
This is what happened to our family at our final Protestant church, an Evangelical Free Church, which does NOT have a central Gov. Body. When we were ousted from the church by a tribunal of people that we had never met and who had never met or worked with us, we decided to go to the Gov. Body of the EFree churches and file a grievance. But…there was NO GOVERNING BODY!! We discovered that each EFree church pastor is THE Head of His church, and HE is the highest authority that we could appeal to.
There was no one that we could appeal to and request an inquiry into the cruel treatment that we and our daughters received at the hands of this church.
I’m posting this to warn Catholics who might be attracted to non-denom churches–BEWARE! You give up your protection when you attend one of these churches regularly. You are no longer safe from bad teaching and doctrine, evil demagogues, deceivers, abusers, or thieves.
That’s an extreme example, but there are plenty of smaller examples of non-denoms where a powerful, charismatic, outgoing pastor took over leadership of the church and everything went to pieces. Bad doctrines, non-Scriptural teachings and expectations, scandals–and there was no recourse for the church members, no one for them to go to and plead for help.
This is what happened to our family at our final Protestant church, an Evangelical Free Church, which does NOT have a central Gov. Body. When we were ousted from the church by a tribunal of people that we had never met and who had never met or worked with us, we decided to go to the Gov. Body of the EFree churches and file a grievance. But…there was NO GOVERNING BODY!! We discovered that each EFree church pastor is THE Head of His church, and HE is the highest authority that we could appeal to.
There was no one that we could appeal to and request an inquiry into the cruel treatment that we and our daughters received at the hands of this church.
I’m posting this to warn Catholics who might be attracted to non-denom churches–BEWARE! You give up your protection when you attend one of these churches regularly. You are no longer safe from bad teaching and doctrine, evil demagogues, deceivers, abusers, or thieves.
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Wannano
Guest
I see truth in a lot you have brought forward, at least in some circles. However, to nestle down in comfort within the CC to be convinced you are safe from all those things you mention, is in my opinion false security…
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Peeps
Guest
Of course you’re right, and evil people are everywhere. It’s like a cancer–a little cell gets it started, and then unless it is checked, it destroys the body.
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jeannetherese
Guest
Billsannie,
You are contradicting yourself here. If Catholics are well-catechized, they know that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Hope1960
Guest
Most of the people I know who left the CC for Protestantism were Catholics who were divorced and remarried.
There is a CC near here where several of our former parishioners left to go to. They’re open and welcoming to divorced people and apparently remarried people as well.
One woman I know is divorced and now living with a divorced man. He’s related to their former priest and totally feel welcome there.
Another divorced woman is remarried to a guy who is now on, (I think, his third marriage) to her, and they both attend and feel welcome at this other church.
I don’t know for certain if their former and current priests know all this but again, I know they feel welcomed and, they take Communion.
There is a CC near here where several of our former parishioners left to go to. They’re open and welcoming to divorced people and apparently remarried people as well.
One woman I know is divorced and now living with a divorced man. He’s related to their former priest and totally feel welcome there.
Another divorced woman is remarried to a guy who is now on, (I think, his third marriage) to her, and they both attend and feel welcome at this other church.
I don’t know for certain if their former and current priests know all this but again, I know they feel welcomed and, they take Communion.
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Wannano
Guest
Very interesting, up a couple of posts we were told the CC keeps you safe from wrong teaching and doctrine, deceivers etc. Apparently that does not hold water.
See post 345.
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jeannetherese
Guest
Catholics should conform to the doctrines of the church and avail themselves of the sacraments.
Some Catholics choose to attend churches which do not challenge a favorite sin.
I pray that they return to full communion with the Church.
Some Catholics choose to attend churches which do not challenge a favorite sin.
I pray that they return to full communion with the Church.
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Wannano
Guest
Doesn’t the structure of the hierarchy guarantee that each parish is not deviant?
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billsannie
Guest
No contradiction. Knowing the Church’s teachings and believing them are two different things.
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Hope1960
Guest
I’m Catholic, but like with the priest scandal, bad things probably happen everywhere.
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