Catholics' exploring other churches

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I’m wondering what Catholics think of Catholics who explore other Christian churches when they feel dissatisfied with the CC.

Do you think it’s a good thing to do? Healthy?

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What do you think of people who’ve converted to Catholicism as adults? Is it quite the same as being a “cradle Catholic”? If not, are there important differences?
 
=kalt;5520319]I’m wondering what Catholics think of Catholics who explore other Christian churches when they feel dissatisfied with the CC.
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No Catholic that truly believes that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ would have any desire to “explore” other Christians denominations.
Do you think it’s a good thing to do? Healthy
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That person should learn more about his Catholic faith. Why would someone want to leave Peter and follow someone else? Why would he leave Christ in the Eucharist to receive mere bread in another “church?”
What do you think of people who’ve converted to Catholicism as adults?
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The converts I know are very strong Catholics.
Is it quite the same as being a “cradle Catholic”? If not, are there important differences?/
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Many cradle Catholics do not know the faith.They simply have always believed in what the Church teaches, which is a good thing but they usually will have a hard time defending the faith against a well versed protestant. I have been a cradle Catholic for 59 years, went to Catholic schools but never really got serious about learning the history of the Church, reading the Church Fathers etc until about 5 years ago.
 
kalt said:
I’m wondering what Catholics think of Catholics who explore other Christian churches when they feel dissatisfied with the CC.
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I would be more concerned about why the person feels dissatisfied with the Catholic Church. What is the person looking for that he isn’t finding?

I believe that the Catholic Church teaches the truth. I couldn’t leave that for some other community. More than that, I couldn’t leave the Church that offers Jesus in the Eucharist for any other group.

So I come back to the question of what the person is seeking.
 
A Catholic who considers looking for “something” that is missing in the Church, by searching into another church, is like a man who is looking for another wife while he is married.

Given the scope of the question, there could be certain personal reasons for both actions, but an act of selfishness, none the less. I have always made it a point to attempt persuade (never try to convince) a person who wants to leave the Chrurch to deeply consider the consequences before doing so. I would think that anyone who puts their hand to the plow and looks back, is not worthy of being known as reliable, let alone fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.

I never make it a point to point them directly to the door, except in very extreme circumstances that would tell me that they are more of a danger to the faith of others and that they are just reprobate on purpose.

Your question is a good one that would deserve a great deal of contemplation, and I am certain that there are a great number of books and tracts available by protestants that encourage members of the Catholic Church to leave. I am also sure that given the evidence of what the Church has to offer, even though it is not tailor made to suit everybody, it is the only place to find salvation. This is why I would wonder at the psychological balance of a person who whould consider leaving, but I a sure that there could be more personal and self-generated reasons, given the circumstances that they may be in.

I am am a convert. But the issue whether a convert is more “Catholic” than a cradle Catholic (or vice versa) would depend on the person themselves. It is not a question that seems to be able to consider deep personal feelings on the matter, yet I do find that converts may have a greater understanding of the Church, as interest provided the means to carry on the search in conversion. One must have a true interest in anything in order to be successful in it and stick with it. Of course, this applies to the individual in both cases, be they a cradle or convert Catholic.
 
Siddhartha said:
You mean, like, uh, I don’t know…Jesus?
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Third Day was exactly right, he said "Why would someone want to leave Peter and follow someone else? **Why would he leave Christ in the Eucharist to receive mere bread in another “church?” **

Jesus chose Peter and his successors to lead His Church until He returns!

i am a cradle Catholic who drifted away over the years because i was lazy and found Mass boring and the Church’s teachings difficult.

i attended many Protestant services while searching for Jesus and they all were uplifting and filled with people who truly love Jesus! Their inspiration led me back to reading Sacred Scripture and trying to get answers to my questions.

The problem was that no 2 Protestants believed exactly the same thing, the bible studies i attended resulted in numerous personal opinions and more confusion than clarification.

**The biggest problem was the fact something really important was always missing! None of the services had The Most Holy Eucharist! **

As i read Scripture, especially John Chapter 6 and read Acts and the Early Church Fathers, i realized the only place you can find the Holy Eucharist and the fullness of the Truth that Jesus taught is in His One, Holy,Catholic and Apostolic Church.

So, in my case, by attending other services, my Catholic faith was challenged and i was forced to learn what the Catholic Church really taught.

i am now enthralled at every Holy Mass as we do what Jesus told us to do "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Lk 22:19)

i get tears in my eyes , especially at Holy Mass, when i realize how much Jesus loves us! He died for our sins and gave us the gift of the Eucharist, His Body and Blood for our daily bread!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

mark
 
Ill admit that shortly after becoming catholic, I investigated other churches, but I quickly discovered that there was something major missing. And thats the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Once you discover that, how could anyone turn back? Its amazing!
 
I am the lay director for RCIA in our parish, and I joined the Church at the Easter Vigil 1995.

What I have found since joining the Church is that most Catholics that investigate other faiths isn’t so much that their faith is lacking in the Catholic Church, as much as they have been wounded in some way by someone in the Church itself.

I have had several people confide in me that Father so and so made me mad, or the Bishop made me mad, or parishoner X upset me. Obviously, we do everything in our power to help rectify a situation like this, and have been very successful at it.

One of the other reasons I have found is people trying to make the Church’s teaching fit into what they want it to be, instead of fitting into what the Church teaches. Birth control is a big issue for many.

Now, as far as those who have covnerted to Catholicism, do you think there is a difference between a convert and cradle Catholic?

The converts that I know (and it is alot), have a true thirst and yearning to learn the truth about Christ, his Love, and teachings.

In fact, our RCIA team consists mostly of “converts”. These people (myself included) have learned the truth, and are thrilled to share it with others who are searching. Plus, they offer a unique perspective of having been through the process that a cradle Catholic cannot share.
 
kalt said:
I’m wondering what Catholics think of Catholics who explore other Christian churches when they feel dissatisfied with the CC.

Do you think it’s a good thing to do? Healthy?

Sort of related question -

What do you think of people who’ve converted to Catholicism as adults? Is it quite the same as being a “cradle Catholic”? If not, are there important differences?
Click to expand...
I’m only speaking of my own perspective and experience. I was baptized Catholic before I knew anything in the world. A few days after birth maybe, but I cannot remember it nor can I remember my parents in my first few days. Possibly learning disabilities on my part.

I do not think it is healthy to explore Christian churches directly for me. I had always chatted with God in my own uneducated way. And maybe it’s God directly, or his saints or angels, maybe my guardian angel. But something always gives me this uncomfortable feeling when I hear something that does not fit with me or go somewhere I should not be. I had this feeling since I was as young as I can remember. So I am very fortunate and also very confused and scared growing up. I did not have formal catechists, no one’s fault, so I would not be one with a “well developed and enriched” conscience. What I lacked, God’s grace made up for.

Because of this I would feel a type of pain hearing words spoken about God that is unfair or unkind to him. Even followers of Christ can say unkind things when they ignore his teachings in words and spirit and proclaim their own. I feel, why are they disrespecting this person that means so much to me. I guess they might not mean it, but it’s still not nice.

Maybe this is too weird to read, but I wanted to give you a different perspective. Christ really does walk with us and sometimes even carries us. And while I read here that he is perfect and we cannot harm God, somehow there are times when I see tears.

As a solution to a Catholic who is wondering what to do on their journey, what worked for me was to ask why am I wondering, what do I think honestly, what does the Church really teach, and does what I read get the nod or the head shake from my protector.

Another solution that I recently learned which now I am suggesting to others all the time, even though I can fail to do because I am a weak sinner, is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each visit where you open up your heart and then rest in God’s Love is a bounty. I was told by a priest when I was very confused, remember Christ died to make us worthy.
 
Siddhartha said:
You mean, like, uh, I don’t know…Jesus?
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Who knows? The only time I met Jesus, indirectly, was at a Rescue Mission dinner.
One of the ladies sang with great love to him.

Once one can get beyond the theological thickets - claims and counter-claims,
Christian apologetics intramural events…Jesus must be in there someplace.

Maybe he likes Rescue Mission dinners. http://bestsmileys.com/nono/9.gif

Welcome to CAF, Siddhartha. http://bestsmileys.com/waving/5.gif

reen12
 
Siddhartha said:
You mean, like, uh, I don’t know…Jesus?
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“Truth in its essence is not a someTHING it is a someBODY. His name is Jesus Christ”. (Fr. Corapi)

The fullness of Truth exists in the Catholic Church, as Jesus ordained and as He promised in scripture. When someone lacks full communion with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, which only Catholic priests are ordained and authorized to celebrate, yes, I submit that person does not know Jesus.

Do YOU know Jesus then?
 
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