Do Protestants cry more than Catholics about God and their Faith?

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spiritblows

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I was watching a Protestant religious show the other day and the people were crying and being very emotional. It struck me that you really don’t see Catholics carrying on like that. I’m not making a value judgement here, it takes all kinds. I know that I personally am not the type that likes this sort of stuff, but others do.

Do you think that emotional people are more drawn to these expressive sects of Christianity? I think that one reason I was drawn to the Catholic faith is that it’s a better fit for my more reserved personality.

What do you think? Are Catholics more reserved? Are Pentecostals merely emotional people who need to let loose at church, crying about all the great things Jesus did for them this week?
 
I think that Catholics do tend to be more reserved; I’d also bet that these Protestants on TV aren’t the norm for their denomination, either. Our faith is hugely emotional, though. Sometimes I’ll really “get” something it’ll make me tear up. Well, OK, every time my priest says “This is the Lamb of God…” it brings tears to my eyes, but not that anyone would notice. There’s a time and a place for everything, and the middle of Mass really isn’t the best time for a good cry.
 
Hi,

Iam an emotional person at times,. I admit that freely.
I don’t cry though outwardly. If I do, I make sure others
don’t know Iam. The time I do get emotional in Church
is when we sing “Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father.
You alone are the Holy One,” You are the High Jesus
Christ" It goes something like that I love Him so much,
its hard not to get a bit emotional. If that makes me a
nerd, then Iam a nerd. I also get quite teary eyed when
the passion of Christ comes up. Even when I see pictures
of Him being scourged. I get emotional and actually feel the
agony of the nails being driven in His hands and his feet in
my own hands and feet when I see it on tv, or even if I look
in books, or when I say prayers of the passion of Christ.
I even occasionally dream of Him on the cross in agony.
My hands and feet even hurt at times for no reason while
Iam awake. I get a bit sad when I see the way of the cross
on the Church wall during Mass if I happen to look over at
them I feel deep devotion to Christ’s passion. It effects me
quite deeply, very physically in the hands and feet, and even
the right side at times. Sometimes it just comes right
out of the blue.So, maybe Iam a nerd, maybe not.
I don’t like open loud crying, and I don’t do it myself.
But if I get effected at Church, I will excuse myself quietly
without words from the bench and go make sure Iam
not being a pest. When I have composed myself, I return .
I don’t know if protestants cry more than
Catholic’s about God, but does it mater? I don’t know. I
only know thatm from the deepest part of my soul, I love
Jesus. If that moves to tears, its only out of deep appreciation
and love for what He has done for mankind, and because of
the fact that He is God the Father Almighty whom I love and
adore with all that Iam.
 
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spiritblows:
I was watching a Protestant religious show the other day and the people were crying and being very emotional. It struck me that you really don’t see Catholics carrying on like that. I’m not making a value judgement here, it takes all kinds. I know that I personally am not the type that likes this sort of stuff, but others do.

Do you think that emotional people are more drawn to these expressive sects of Christianity? I think that one reason I was drawn to the Catholic faith is that it’s a better fit for my more reserved personality.
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Hi,

I too kind of notice the observation that you have about Protestants being expressive. Personally I think we should not fear our emotion because it can be the door to our openess to the Holy Spirit. What I think not quite right is the ‘induced’ crying in order to ‘recieve’ the Spirit.

Your last sentence is disturbing, if I may say so. Sure Catholicism may fit your personality, praise God for that, but isn’t more importantly, that’s it being the church that Jesus left on this earth which should attract you even more? 🙂
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spiritblows:
What do you think? Are Catholics more reserved? Are Pentecostals merely emotional people who need to let loose at church, crying about all the great things Jesus did for them this week?
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Catholics are more reserved because generally that is our upbringing by the church. We have to admit though there have been great moves by the Holy Spirit among the people (especially the laity) after Vatican 2. And many Catholics today are not as reserved as the pre Vatican 2 generations.

I can’t say for sure for Pentecostals as in the question stated. If they are sincerely touched because of gratitude and thanksgiving of blessing recieved the previous week, then why not? However, in the mass set-up this might not be practical. We don’t have provision for this and if anything unusual happens it will only distract the congegration. Nevertheless, aren’t we many times just well up in tears at any time during the mass?
 
I wonder if more emotionally expressive Catholics tend to end up leaving the Church for some of these lively churches? What do you think? Since we have so much choice in this culture to pick a religion, do people tend to make those choices based on their emotional needs?
 
I think Catholics do tend to be more reserved, but I also think that is a good thing. I’ve noticed that I sometimes get emotional, but it tends to be on my own time, or it is something that I notice but I don’t go blubbering around at Mass.

The times I get emotional (but still keep it personal) are at Lent and at Holy Thursday, Good Friday and especially Holy Saturday. Also during the Stations of the Cross, Benediction/Adoration, and special occaisions.

I’ve also noticed that when I get emotional at funerals, it isn’t so much because I’m sad about the person dying but rather I really feel connected to the Church throughout the ages-the connection between the Church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant. That is one thing I really like about Catholicism-you feel a connection from all of salvation history. It is very moving, but I don’t need to bawl and blubber about it. 👍
 
Haven’t you people ever seen Catholics in non-English speaking countries? The “reserve” is an Anglo-Saxon thing, not a catholic thing. Apart from Pentecostalists, most protestants are more reserved than Catholics.

Tears can be a grace from God. But they don’t prove the faith or goodness of a person. I remember seeing the notorious “Rev” Ian Paisley of Ireland on TV crying real tears “because I love Jesus so much”, then a minute later he was viciously ranting about “papist idolatry”.
 
I noticed that I seem to cry more in a Catholic Mass than I do during a protestant service. And I was once a member of a non-denominational Christian gospel group! I didn’t cry half as much as I did when I came back to the Church, especially during Holy Week (in particular Good Friday). I even remember crying when I was around 11 or 12 in Mass after hearing the gospel about the Samaritan woman!
 
Peter,
Good point. But, the Anglican church has many similarities to the Catholic in liturgy and reserved behaviour in church, actually.

I’m not saying that Catholics don’t feel emotions. I certainly have had some overpowering ones, but I don’t feel comfortable expressing my emotions in public.

I just noticed that certain Protestant groups really like to lay it on thick with the tears, and hold people who are able to do so as more devoted. A lot of Catholics are uncomfortable even with hand-holding in church, I know I am. They cite GIRM, etc, but I suspect that in some people it’s actually an emotional reaction and feeling of discomfort wuth outward displays.
 
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spiritblows:
I wonder if more emotionally expressive Catholics tend to end up leaving the Church for some of these lively churches? What do you think? Since we have so much choice in this culture to pick a religion, do people tend to make those choices based on their emotional needs?
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To tell you the truth, yes, I personally know a few Catholics who left the church for exactly the reason you mention. I know one sister left the church for the Evangelical when she was young because she felt the mass and the sermons were boring. After many years away she finally came back. Last month she joined us in a retreat and told us that it is in Catholicism she found the true church. Thus being lively or expressive church may not be the answer for the emotinally expressive catholics that you mention.

I really don’t know about choosing religion based on our emotional need. For that kind of thing, why don’t we just go to the psychaitrist?

Well, if you are not affliated to any religion initially and looking for one, maybe your question applies. But this is a matter of belief, at least some time later in one’s encounter with the religion. Like do we believe that Jesus is the saviour? Isn’t He the One who would make everything right for us if we allow Him to be our Lord and saviour? And maybe along the way, because God is a good God, He may allow us to experience Himself in a tangible way, so that our faith in Him will be strengthened.

Surely there are people who tend to make their choice of religion based on their emotional need. But if they do that and pick Catholicism, I’m sure Jesus will not make that choice in vain, because we cannot outdo God’s generosity. If we give Him the chance and give Him our time, He will respond in way we even cannot imagine. Thus it is really for us to experience the respond and the love of God.
 
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Tonks40:
I noticed that I seem to cry more in a Catholic Mass than I do during a protestant service. And I was once a member of a non-denominational Christian gospel group! I didn’t cry half as much as I did when I came back to the Church, especially during Holy Week (in particular Good Friday). I even remember crying when I was around 11 or 12 in Mass after hearing the gospel about the Samaritan woman!
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Try, if you have not done it anyway, having the mass as a devotion. I mean the daily mass. It can be profound experience. For a few years I did that and it never fail, at least once at any part of the mass that something really touched me and tears just flow. I am a man and I am not ashame to share that.

It’s beautiful, isnt it? The church has many treasures but the real treasures she really has are not the Michaelangelo’s or the David’s but rather, the Holy Mass, and Mother Mary is certainly a bonus 🙂 .
 
Reuben J:
Try, if you have not done it anyway, having the mass as a devotion. I mean the daily mass. It can be profound experience. For a few years I did that and it never fail, at least once at any part of the mass that something really touched me and tears just flow. I am a man and I am not ashame to share that.

It’s beautiful, isnt it? The church has many treasures but the real treasures she really has are not the Michaelangelo’s or the David’s but rather, the Holy Mass, and Mother Mary is certainly a bonus 🙂 .
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I agree. I like Daily Mass because I feel like I’m less on display. I personally could not tolerate lively Protestants churches with waving arms because I would never want to act like that. I’m inhibited, and it seemed like in those churches all this expressive behaviour was highly valued. One’s ability to let loose in church with loud praises definately elevated one’s status in the church community.
 
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spiritblows:
Peter,
Good point. But, the Anglican church has many similarities to the Catholic in liturgy and reserved behaviour in church, actually.

I’m not saying that Catholics don’t feel emotions. I certainly have had some overpowering ones, but I don’t feel comfortable expressing my emotions in public.
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No, not during a solemn high mass. But nobody can stop you from having your tears flowing! 🙂 And that can be discreet too.

Have you ever tried the prayer meeting? This is where expressing of emotion is more appropriate.
 
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spiritblows:
I agree. I like Daily Mass because I feel like I’m less on display. I personally could not tolerate lively Protestants churches with waving arms because I would never want to act like that. I’m inhibited, and it seemed like in those churches all this expressive behaviour was highly valued. One’s ability to let loose in church with loud praises definately elevated one’s status in the church community.
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Don’t go to the Protestant churches 🙂 . I’ve never been there and I’m not intending to. Maybe for a wedding or a funeral, just being respectful.

I’ve been to Protestant praise and worship concert and sometimes inter-churches events. To me they seem to be okay, at least those that I saw. Their preachings are usually good. This is an area where our priests can take cue.
 
I guess it depends on the preacher, our concentration and most of all -sincerity.
 
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manx:
I guess it depends on the preacher, our concentration and most of all -sincerity.
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I guess so. Most of all it is the sincerity.

I would put it slighlty differently though. Many times my concentration is very poor. By putting my time on this internet does not help either. (Though it help in my learning process).

When i examined myself for the lack of concentration at the mass - sometimes the reasons are pretty obvious. Distraction and lack of prayer life. My communion with the Lord is lacking and it affects my personal relationship with Him! Thus to me, the answer is pretty obvious too - to try to spend more quality time with the Lord in prayer - do not miss my quiet time. That takes discipline, faithfulness and most of all perseverance, that I do not miss my prayer time. The rest, many times, the Lord will do. But even if not, persevere is the word.
 
I sometimes cry at mass. The only person who can tell is my husband. (I hope!!) I wouldn’t want anyone else to see me, as I am a private person.
 
I have had very emotional moments when I cry during my prayers and when I had difficulty not crying during mass. So, the emotion can be there. I would feel embarrassed to begin crying during mass, so I try not to.

As far as very emotional Protestant experiences…many are very sincere, warm people that are trying to please God. At the same time, even when a person is sincere that is no proof that an emotinal experience is of God. I know that the members of cults and more primitive religions have these strong emotional reactions. One of the news shows had a report on the Kabbalah. The members cried and danced just like they do in Pentecostal churches.

When I was looking for a church, I attended a Pentecostal service a few times. Before the service there was an hour long singing session, with some of the songs having a chant like quality. The music minister encouraged people to ‘feel the holy spirit.’ And move and dance to the music. It was very beautiful but it also struck me to be similar to the ancient cultures that have members that go into trances after spending awhile singing and dancing.
 
Growing up Catholic, I lived in an area where there were lots of immigrants and first generation Americans. And it was common to see people cry, nod heads, make noises of praise or thankfulness at appropriate times during Mass. Catholicism was very lively and emotional.

But I moved to other places where it felt very reserved.

I have found Protestantism to vary greatly depending on the denomination. Some are very reserved and austere, while other branches are very emotional.

I think that it can very much be a cultural thing, and denominational style thing.

cheddar
 
The lady on TV was talking about her struggles and how God had helped her. She was very emotional, bordering on maudlin. I’ve seen that on other Protestant shows. When I was young I used to watch the PTL club and Tammy Faye Baker would cry alot, and her mascara would run. Now there’s a new wife of an Evangelist who looks a lot like Tammy Faye, I think it’s Paul Crouch’s wife. She also cries a lot. I don’t think you’d ever see anything that dramatic on a Catholic show.

This seems to be a part of a certain segment of Protestant culture. Yes, it is certain types of churches that are more emotional.
 
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