Converting from Catholic to Protestant...

[iamrefreshed]

Nah, I’d never do that!

However, I’m curious why anyone would.

The Protestant wants you do STOP doing things that are spiritually rich.
Stop receiving Eucharist.
Stop confessing sins.
Stop praying for intercession.
Stop obeying Rome.
Stop adoration.

Stop, stop, stop.

What do they want you to start doing?
Hmmm?

When someone tells you the road to salvation can only be traveled by those who stop praying I suggest you run…really, really fast!

 

[Catholicgirlie]

ack you had me scared for a second with that title I completely agree with you. Why convert to a faith that lacks so much? Maybe some people who were once Catholic can clear this up for us…

 

[JonNC]

=iamrefreshed;6292710]Nah, I’d never do that!

I am honestly happy that you are secure in your faith, and I know that the Holy Spirit works through the Catholic Church to bring His grace, just as He does in my Lutheran Church.

The Protestant wants you do STOP doing things that are spiritually rich.

First, I want you to continue to receive His grace, period. But let’s see.

Stop receiving Eucharist.

The Augsburg Confession: *“Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed 2] to those who eat the Supper of the Lord; and they reject those that teach otherwise.” * Doesn’t sound like we want people to stop receiving the Eucharist.

Stop confessing sins.

Augsburg Confession: *Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession 2] an enumeration of all sins is not necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12. *

Stop praying for intercession.

If you believe that praying for intercession focuses you on Christ, fine. Millions of Christians east and west have found great comfort in the practice for centuries. We see no evidence in scripture that the saints can hear our requests for intercession, though we know they pray for the Church Militant in a general sense.

Stop obeying Rome.

Given the choice, the Lutheran reformers chose to obey the Gospel. When the day comes that our communions agree, then we will joyfully obey the Gospel together, and acknowledge the special role the Bishop of Rome plays in the Church Catholic.

Stop adoration.

Lutherans will tell you that adoration is fine (we do it during the sacramental act), so long as the recognition of the purpose of His precious body and blood are as Christ commands - in the eating and drinking.

What do they want you to start doing?

Actually, I already answered your question in my first sentence.

When someone tells you the road to salvation can only be traveled by those who stop praying I suggest you run…really, really fast

What Christian communion in the world says that?

Jon

 

[poetryforjesus]

Nah, I’d never do that!

However, I’m curious why anyone would.

The Protestant wants you do STOP doing things that are spiritually rich.
Stop receiving Eucharist.
Stop confessing sins.
Stop praying for intercession.
Stop obeying Rome.
Stop adoration.

Stop, stop, stop.

What do they want you to start doing?
Hmmm?

When someone tells you the road to salvation can only be traveled by those who stop praying I suggest you run…really, really fast!

If the catholic is already doing all these things, it will be hard to convince them to stop. Problem is, it might be easy to convert a Catholic who does not do these things.

 

[gamewell45]

I am honestly happy that you are secure in your faith, and I know that the Holy Spirit works through the Catholic Church to bring His grace, just as He does in my Lutheran Church.

First, I want you to continue to receive His grace, period. But let’s see.

The Augsburg Confession: *“Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed 2] to those who eat the Supper of the Lord; and they reject those that teach otherwise.” * Doesn’t sound like we want people to stop receiving the Eucharist.

Augsburg Confession: *Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession 2] an enumeration of all sins is not necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12. *

If you believe that praying for intercession focuses you on Christ, fine. Millions of Christians east and west have found great comfort in the practice for centuries. We see no evidence in scripture that the saints can hear our requests for intercession, though we know they pray for the Church Militant in a general sense.

Given the choice, the Lutheran reformers chose to obey the Gospel. When the day comes that our communions agree, then we will joyfully obey the Gospel together, and acknowledge the special role the Bishop of Rome plays in the Church Catholic.

Lutherans will tell you that adoration is fine (we do it during the sacramental act), so long as the recognition of the purpose of His precious body and blood are as Christ commands - in the eating and drinking.

Actually, I already answered your question in my first sentence.

What Christian communion in the world says that?

Jon

Well said!

 

[Joe_5859]

I understand and appreciate the sentiment, but I’d caution against painting it so simplistically. I can imagine a Protestant quipping back that a Catholic converting to Protestantism would be able to start reading Scripture. One might also retort that those things they ask you to stop are not spiritually enriching but rather spiritually damaging.

Generally speaking, people don’t like being referred to in the negative sense (i.e., by what they don’t like). An atheist might turn around and post that Catholics want you to STOP doing things that are so much fun.

• Stop having sex.
• Stop drinking and partying.
• Stop useful business practices that earn you extra money.

So why would anyone want to stop being an atheist in favor of Catholicism?

It’s great to be excited about being Catholic and the spiritual riches of the Catholic faith. But I don’t think looking at it in this way is going to win any new converts.

 

[JonNC]

I understand and appreciate the sentiment, but I’d caution against painting it so simplistically. I can imagine a Protestant quipping back that a Catholic converting to Protestantism would be able to start reading Scripture. One might also retort that those things they ask you to stop are not spiritually enriching but rather spiritually damaging.

Generally speaking, people don’t like being referred to in the negative sense (i.e., by what they don’t like). An atheist might turn around and post that Catholics want you to STOP doing things that are so much fun.

• Stop having sex.
• Stop drinking and partying.
• Stop useful business practices that earn you extra money.

So why would anyone want to stop being an atheist in favor of Catholicism?

It’s great to be excited about being Catholic and the spiritual riches of the Catholic faith. But I don’t think looking at it in this way is going to win any new converts.

Thanks for this, Joe.
We can come at each other in one of two ways: 1) with a sincere desire to find the Holy SPirit in each other, aad work and pray for unity, or 2) with uncharitable criticisms that only harden hearts and perpetuate division. I’m happy you chose the former. I try very hard to do the same.

Jon

 

[Carlan]

Thanks for this, Joe.
We can come at each other in one of two ways: 1) with a sincere desire to find the Holy SPirit in each other, aad work and pray for unity, or 2) with uncharitable criticisms that only harden hearts and perpetuate division. I’m happy you chose the former. I try very hard to do the same.

Jon

Yes I know Jon and Joe, but we do start out not knowing everything, And not too many of us are perfect, Our whole life’s a process of growing in holiness, and we pray for the grace of perseverance to become purified in heart so as to please God and be with him forever more.Peace, Carlan

 

[JonNC]

Yes I know Jon and Joe, but we do start out not knowing everything, And not too many of us are perfect, Our whole life’s a process of growing in holiness, and we pray for the grace of perseverance to become purified in heart so as to please God and be with him forever more.Peace, Carlan

I agree, Carlan. I didn’t mean it to sound self-righteous, and I don’t think Joe did, either.
Thanks for the voice of understanding.
Jon

 

[Carlan]

I agree, Carlan. I didn’t mean it to sound self-righteous, and I don’t think Joe did, either.
Thanks for the voice of understanding.
Jon

Yes , of course , and I can be found at the head of the line when it comes to falling short God bless, Carlan

 

[Cadellin]

Given the choice, the Lutheran reformers chose to obey the Gospel. When the day comes that our communions agree, then we will joyfully obey the Gospel together, and acknowledge the special role the Bishop of Rome plays in the Church Catholic.

There seems to be a misunderstanding here. Catholics do not ‘obey’ the Pope. They look to him for guidance in matters of faith and morals. The Pope’s authority in these matters was given to him by Christ (‘You are the rock upon which I will build my church,’ ‘I give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,’ etc). Catholics live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ (a.k.a. the Gospels). The Pope is the custodian of those teachings. His role is to ensure that Christ’s teachings are not perverted in any way, but are preserved for all time as Christ intended them to be understood. Without such an arbiter people would develope their own ideas about what Jesus taught and the Christian Church would degenerate in to numerous demoninations. History has shown that this is exactly what happens when people don’t accept the Christ given authority of the Bishop of Rome.

So, if you think the day will come when we will ‘joyfully obey the Gospel together’ and ‘acknowledge the special role the Bishop of Rome plays’ then be glad; that day has arrived. Welcome to the Catholic Church.

 

[CoachSTL]

I am honestly happy that you are secure in your faith, and I know that the Holy Spirit works through the Catholic Church to bring His grace, just as He does in my Lutheran Church.

First, I want you to continue to receive His grace, period. But let’s see.

The Augsburg Confession: *“Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed 2] to those who eat the Supper of the Lord; and they reject those that teach otherwise.” * Doesn’t sound like we want people to stop receiving the Eucharist.

Augsburg Confession: *Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession 2] an enumeration of all sins is not necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12. *

If you believe that praying for intercession focuses you on Christ, fine. Millions of Christians east and west have found great comfort in the practice for centuries. We see no evidence in scripture that the saints can hear our requests for intercession, though we know they pray for the Church Militant in a general sense.

Given the choice, the Lutheran reformers chose to obey the Gospel. When the day comes that our communions agree, then we will joyfully obey the Gospel together, and acknowledge the special role the Bishop of Rome plays in the Church Catholic.

Lutherans will tell you that adoration is fine (we do it during the sacramental act), so long as the recognition of the purpose of His precious body and blood are as Christ commands - in the eating and drinking.

Actually, I already answered your question in my first sentence.

Jon,

When you can show me that the Apostles taught everything you just stated, than your points have validity. And, when you can show me that any Lutheran Minister was apppointed by God to interpret the Old and New Testament I will become Lutheran.

One Church, because of one Teaching started by Christ and passed on by the Apostles and so on up until this very moment and next. Come on home!

 

[cmodrmac]

the Pope is the biggest obstacle to Christian Unity-people must remember that Apostolic Succession and the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome have been used as Political tools for centuries-a good example is Pope Leo deciding that the orders of the Episcopal Church were not valid based on some interpretation of “the form” of orders-this was Politics-yet “Old Catholic” orders are valid and they use the same “form” as the episcopals and are not in communion with Rome

in the early Church and up to the 19th century the Pope was not “infallible” when speaking on Faith and Morals but it came in a flash when it suited Pope Leo

The Orthodox Churches are accepted as valid by the Roman Catholics yet they surely do not believe in the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome-

“First among equals” would solve much of Christian Unity issues-in reality the Curia does not want to change anything and that is fine but they should stop giving lip service to ecumenism and say these are our rules and that is it-the Pope decides big issues (and do not pretend that the “Councils” decide just look at the recommendations of the Vatican Council working group on Birth Control and how it was rejected by the Pope) -period no discussion and was obeyed by the Clergy

The Roman Catholic Church at least says no -look at the mess the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches are in by not saying no

Do not get me started on the way women are treated in the RC Church

 

[awantz]

Nah, I’d never do that!

However, I’m curious why anyone would.

The Protestant wants you do STOP doing things that are spiritually rich.
Stop receiving Eucharist.
Stop confessing sins.
Stop praying for intercession.
Stop obeying Rome.
Stop adoration.

Stop, stop, stop.

What do they want you to start doing?
Hmmm?

When someone tells you the road to salvation can only be traveled by those who stop praying I suggest you run…really, really fast!

The Protestant doesn’t want you to stop receiving Eucharist/ Communion and depending on what Protestant church you’d go to they believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ. They don’t want you to stop confessing your sins. They want you to confess your sins to God and you can confess to your pastor if you choose. Some Protestant churches make confessing to the pastor manditory, like Lutheren and Evangelical churches. As far as praying for intercession, again it depends upon what church. You can always ask others to pray for you. You can ask people in Heaven, like Mary, to pray for you, but some Protestants think she won’t hear you and some think she will. As far as stop obeying Rome, it depends on what part of Rome/ Pope’s beliefs you think they want you to stop believing. I asked my, Catholic, husband want you meant by stop adoration and he doesn’t know.

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

JonNC;6292873:

Jon,

When you can show me that the Apostles taught everything you just stated, than your points have validity. And, when you can show me that any Lutheran Minister was apppointed by God to interpret the Old and New Testament I will become Lutheran.

One Church, because of one Teaching started by Christ and passed on by the Apostles and so on up until this very moment and next. Come on home!

You have him: Pastor Inkquist, Lutheran Church, Lake Woebegon, Minnesota.

 

[Sarah_Angel]

Do not get me started on the way women are treated in the RC Church

That they’re treated just fine and as women who are loved by God? What’s wrong with that?

I am a woman in the Catholic Church, and I don’t feel discriminated against.
You have to remember that women were canonized as saints well before there was any sort of “women’s rights movement.” And that the Catholic Church recognizes Jesus’ Mother as Queen of the Universe. What’s so sexist about that?

Women may not be allowed to be priests, but they have their own, very important roles in the Church. Women are not less than men, they are just different.

The Protestant doesn’t want you to stop receiving Eucharist/ Communion and depending on what Protestant church you’d go to they believe it is the actual body and blood of Christ. They don’t want you to stop confessing your sins. They want you to confess your sins to God and you can confess to your pastor if you choose. Some Protestant churches make confessing to the pastor manditory, like Lutheren and Evangelical churches. As far as praying for intercession, again it depends upon what church. You can always ask others to pray for you. You can ask people in Heaven, like Mary, to pray for you, but some Protestants think she won’t hear you and some think she will. As far as stop obeying Rome, it depends on what part of Rome/ Pope’s beliefs you think they want you to stop believing. I asked my, Catholic, husband want you meant by stop adoration and he doesn’t know.

Thank you for your educated answer. It’s very difficult to paint “Protestant” over so many denominations. Sweeping generalizations don’t get anyone anywhere.

 

[ElisabethM]

I can answer this one because my husband has twice reverted to Protestantism. We came into the Catholic Church in 2004. My husband came from a Calvinist background. I spent the first 45 years of my life in the Lutheran Church (LC-MS), attended Lutheran colleges (with a degree in Lutheran theology), taught in Lutheran schools and even wrote for LCMS publications), but when I was introduced to Robert Sungenis’ book, “Not By Faith Alone”, (at the hands of a Lutheran preacher who pronounced the book the “work of the devil”), I began to turn to the Church which “had the more” (to quote Fr. Richard John Neuhaus whose conversion story is very like mine).

All the things mentioned in initial post of this thread are part of that “more” of the Catholic Church. I wanted that, and my husband “converted” with me because, well, I’m not quite sure, but I do know he did not see the “more” of the Catholic Church that I did. The Catholic life is too hard for him so he rejects the Catholic Church as wrong–he rejects the very things (most importantly the Eucharist and Confession) that offer him the graces to walk that narrow road.

In the end, it all boils down to the Eucharist. If a person believes what the Catholic Church teaches about the Eucharist, he (or she) would have to be insane not to want it and the Catholic Church with it. Everything flows from the Eucharist. If you don’t get that, why bother being Catholic? It is a very hard road to walk.

 

[climer97007]

Nah, I’d never do that! However, I’m curious why anyone would. The Protestant wants you do STOP doing things that are spiritually rich.
Stop receiving Eucharist, confessing sins, praying for intercession, obeying Rome, adoration, stop, stop, stop. What do they want you to start doing? Hmmm?

First, I am not sure you want to hear an answer, since your own answer is simply to “run”.

I think many Catholics have left Roman Catholicism to join some other religious sect such as Mormans, Four Square, Baptists, Lutherans, Anglicans, etc… or to leave organized religion entirely, prefering a self centered existance to one which humbles itself to the existance of God, and to faith, and to moral consequences, etc…

Why leave Roman Catholicism for protestantism?

It may be for some a time of trial and tribulation, when their faith is being tested. It may be a period of questioning and of not yet fully understanding. It may be a period of misinformation, searching, questioning, rationalism, and the absence of the benefit of a complete understanding of religious truth. It may be the result of a focus on scripture alone, or on faith alone, or on simply preferring to be more alone like they are feeling. Some may be feeling further away from God and closer to something or someone more earthly, something or someone less perfect, something or someone made more in the image and likeness of themselves.

I know from own family experience, that a Roman Catholic might find a protestant church to be less concerned about the consequences of divorce and remarriage, of the process of anullments, of the idea of a Church with Moral Absolutes, or of a Church with Apostolic Authority. I have family members who have rejected the idea of the Covenant of Marriage, choosing instead a more self directed contractual relationship to one which is directed by God through the church. There are those who prefer the secular idea of marital divorce, or legal contracts to be made, broken and remade by men at the will of man, and apart from the participation of God and the Church. How dare God or the Roman Church tell me who I can marry or divorce and when or under what circumstances? This is a common attitude. I want to do what I want to do. And I am willing to bend my faith to fit my objectives to allow my will to be done. This is the attitude in some family members that used to be Catholic in my family, and who are now fallen away.

A protestant church may be less concerned about the moral consequences of marital birth control, or about the abortion of babies in the womb, or about the nature of female Priests, or about the appropriateness of gay Bishops, or a host of other moral dictates which abandonment has caused a host of plagues in our society.

There are those who have been hurt by a priest or religious, and who have blamed the Roman Church rather than the individual.

There are lots of reasons. Just no really good ones.

Gene

 

[Emerite]

I recently read a billboard about ex-Catholics.org, which I looked up on the Internet. It is so anti-Catholic and erroneous, I feel so sorry for these “used-to-be” Catholics, wonder what could have happened to harden their hearts, and pray for their souls. True Christians would never commit such slander and detraction, so why? Have they not heard about the1994 Ligouri publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, with imprimi potest by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict, himself), as Interdicasterial Commission for the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states, in Part One, The Profession of Faith, in its affirmation (at page 224, Nos. 846 and 847), “ … they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it?” Do they even realize what they’re doing to themselves? I’d never think of leaving the Catholic faith that my ancestors, since around 2000 years ago, held so dear to their hearts. Didn’t the Catholic Church preserve the Bible by Catholic monks writing the manuscripts which were read until Gutenberg’s printing press issued the first printed Bible in the 1400’s, a copy of which is in the Vatican Museum at Rome?

I have utmost respect and love for my non-Catholic friends who were cradle Protestants and live by the Ten Commandments. It is the Catholic Church’s belief that one who is of a Protestant faith, leading a good Christian life and believing that he’s correct in his method of salvation without the realization of the truth of the Catholic Church, should merit salvation. This is confirmed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, wherein, at No. 847, it further states, “This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church. Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience — those too may achieve eternal salvation.”

I have nothing but pity for baptized Catholics who have turned their backs on their Church, for whatever reason, and will continue to pray for them for as long as I live. And, if it’s possible, will pray more into the next life.

 

[Lady_Mariegrace]

Well, I am totally in agreement with the Truths found in the Catholic Church but sometimes truth can be a lonely thing.
A Catholic might want to become a Protestant if they can’t seem to make friends at their local Catholic church; if they feel depressed every time they go to service because they sit alone each service. If they have no children that attend the parish school, if the meetings, luncheons and bible studies are all during the day while working people work. And if they have tried CRHP, retreats etc to meet people and still come up dry.
Catholic churches can be holy, sacred and inspirational but they can also be very empty of hugs and smiles if you are not part of their group.