How do we stop people from "Double Dipping" (attending both catholic and protestant services

[Bezant]

Okay, so i’ve noticed quite a few people, especially when I was in college (i graduated last may). that often you’d have quite a few people who would double dip and go to both catholic and protestant services, or switch every couple of weeks. Anyway what would be the best way to tell these people they are in the wrong.

For example at our Newman Center there was a girl who was very involved with us but served on Campus Crusades servant team as well and continues to be very involved with running it. She even considers herself more “christian” than catholic and sees no problem with either since they both are ways to God (which is strange because she’s not some typical religious liberal who sees all religion as equal)

Now I am okay with attending meeting (since they are not really services I don’t see much harm and fortunately in my area they aren’t very openly anti catholic since i live in an area that is very lutheran and catholic.) Anyway how can we stop these people? Sometimes they leave, but we always had a few who kept going to both services or would be very involved in cru and still go to mass.

As a germaphobe, I find double-dipping food slightly more objectionable than this one.

The Church permits Catholics to attend other Christian services, provided that they satisfy the Sunday Mass obligation, and refrain from taking communion or an active role at the non-Catholic service.

My advice – be respectful and give people their space. If you discuss religion with your friend, by all means share your point of view, but you’re not here to “stop” anyone, or go out of your way to tell them they’re wrong, whether or not they are wrong.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

As a germaphobe, I find double-dipping food slightly more objectionable than this one.

The Church permits Catholics to attend other Christian services, provided that they satisfy the Sunday Mass obligation, and refrain from taking communion or an active role at the non-Catholic service.

My advice – be respectful and give people their space. If you discuss religion with your friend, by all means share your point of view, but you’re not here to “stop” anyone, or go out of your way to tell them they’re wrong, whether or not they are wrong.

I think the Church generally says a Catholic should not attend these services regularly as it implies an acceptance of that faith. It says a Catholic may attend for things like weddings, visiting Grandma is of another faith, funerals, etc. In other words, one in a while circumstances (keep in mind attendance at Mass is still required if possible).

 

[jmcrae]

I think the Church generally says a Catholic should not attend these services regularly as it implies an acceptance of that faith. It says a Catholic may attend for things like weddings, visiting Grandma is of another faith, funerals, etc. In other words, one in a while circumstances (keep in mind attendance at Mass is still required if possible).

… and that Mass should be the priority, if it comes to a choice between the two.

That’s pretty much how Father C. explained it to me when I became Catholic.

 

[DarkLight]

I’m curious what exactly “acceptance of that faith” means here. I enjoy going to services with some of my protestant friends, and some of them enjoy going to mass with me. Everyone is aware of each other’s beliefs. It’s an acceptance in the sense that we each acknowledge that the other believes in Christ’s death and resurrection for our salvation, even if we have significant disagreements.

 

[jmcrae]

I’m curious what exactly “acceptance of that faith” means here. I enjoy going to services with some of my protestant friends, and some of them enjoy going to mass with me. Everyone is aware of each other’s beliefs. It’s an acceptance in the sense that we each acknowledge that the other believes in Christ’s death and resurrection for our salvation, even if we have significant disagreements.

What it means is, if people at the Protestant church get so used to seeing you there that they assume you to be one of them, and not a visitor from outside - you are giving “the appearance of” the acceptance of that faith.

For example, if you have a “usual pew” that you normally sit in, and people around you are used to leaving that spot for you. If it’s gotten to that point, then you are attending there much too frequently - and it’s possible that people who don’t know you very well might assume that you don’t see a significant difference between their religion and your Catholic faith.

 

[mccartyj]

This is an interesting conversation. It popped up on my search asking if it was okay to go to protestant services. I love my church and actually attend a few different parishes depending on my schedule but I have been attending a nondenominational church with a friend occassionally mostly because of the praise time that they have. At our church we have a monthly healing/worship service that I love and wish it could be every week. That would probably satisfy my desires from going to the other church but they don’t. I also enjoy spending time with this friend and they have childcare for my two year old. She gets quite antsy in church and it distracts me.

 

[Patrick1540]

This is an interesting conversation. It popped up on my search asking if it was okay to go to protestant services. I love my church and actually attend a few different parishes depending on my schedule but I have been attending a nondenominational church with a friend occassionally mostly because of the praise time that they have. At our church we have a monthly healing/worship service that I love and wish it could be every week. That would probably satisfy my desires from going to the other church but they don’t. I also enjoy spending time with this friend and they have childcare for my two year old. She gets quite antsy in church and it distracts me.

I totally get this and have done it in the past myself. I believe as long as a Catholic is firm in their Faith and teachings of the Catholic Church, there is no harm in being with our seperated brothers and sister and having some fellowship. Holy Spirit is with you and I have heard of entire Churches being converted to the Catholic Faith. As long as we do not participate in their communion and take their interpretation of Scripture.My Mom was a devote Catholic,but she still listen to protestant ministers on the radio. Many had good messages that we could apply to our Catholic life.An example of one:" How to be positive in a negative world" good message no matter what Faith you belong to.Do eveyrthing for Love of the Lord!

 

[Diana_Catherine]

Okay, so i’ve noticed quite a few people, especially when I was in college (i graduated last may). that often you’d have quite a few people who would double dip and go to both catholic and protestant services, or switch every couple of weeks. Anyway what would be the best way to tell these people they are in the wrong. For example at our Newman Center there was a girl who was very involved with us but served on Campus Crusades servant team as well and continues to be very involved with running it. She even considers herself more “christian” than catholic and sees no problem with either since they both are ways to God (which is strange because she’s not some typical religious liberal who sees all religion as equal)
Now I am okay with attending meeting (since they are not really services I don’t see much harm and fortunately in my area they aren’t very openly anti catholic since i live in an area that is very lutheran and catholic.) Anyway how can we stop these people? Sometimes they leave, but we always had a few who kept going to both services or would be very involved in cru and still go to mass.

The best way to stop this from happening is as someone else said, teaching but it should be done when they are young but that is certainly no guarantee that people won’t have a crisis of faith and double dip but it isn’t something that should be ignored as others have said. They are putting their souls in danger. We must pray for them and witness to them the truth. One way would be to learn as much as you can about the Catholic faith and then when they have questions you are able to give. As I have heard people say, you can’t give what you don’t have.

I have told of this on CAF before. I started double dipping when younger, left and didn’t return for 12 years and yes I have regrets of things missed

 

[DarkLight]

The best way to stop this from happening is as someone else said, teaching but it should be done when they are young but that is certainly no guarantee that people won’t have a crisis of faith and double dip but it isn’t something that should be ignored as others have said. They are putting their souls in danger. We must pray for them and witness to them the truth. One way would be to learn as much as you can about the Catholic faith and then when they have questions you are able to give. As I have heard people say, you can’t give what you don’t have.

I have told of this on CAF before. I started double dipping when younger, left and didn’t return for 12 years and yes I have regrets of things missed

I think the reason many of us have said to not worry about it is that too much pressure can also cause a crisis of faith that ends with people leaving. Young adulthood is a normal time to experiment and learn. Especially with college and making friends of people of other faiths…at least some curiosity should be treated as normal, as long as they’re still attending Mass.