I don't get it...if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren't you a Catholic Christian? #2

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http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon4.gif I don’t get it…if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren’t you a Catholic Christian? #2
http://fratres.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/pope-benedict-xvi-blessing-of-the-host.jpg
I don’t get it…if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren’t you a Catholic Christian?
This is a serious question, so please post your reason here… Please, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion and to defend your own particular denomination.
I am not the only Catholic here at CAF, or elsewhere, who wonders and wants to know the answer to this question.
If any Catholics, or any converts to Catholicism here, have any insight to the answer, or possible answer(s) to this question, then please post a response here.
Your thoughts?
 
Hey,

I was a protestant before and converted to catholicsm in 2005 when i was 15.

The main reason I converted was because my protestant “church” was just a hall with chairs and then my friends took me to a catholic church and I was just amazed…then i instantly converted without thinking twice and I didn’t even know what catholics believed in or anything, sure I took a 8 week course but I was mostly sleeping through it. 😃

My family and previous generations are protestant, however my mum and I are now catholic.

Well, even though im catholic I have such strong protestant views also…I try to shake them off by reading alot of proof and justification about catholics asking Saints to intercept etc etc but its impossible for some reason.

Basically i’ll tell u thiis…its 100000 times easier for a catholic to convert to protestant than the other way around. When your protestant they make you feel like you have God and Jesus with you everywhere you go and you feel safe and you can always talk to someone, however in the catholic church its more about the church itself and the relationship with Jesus is much less in my opinion.

To this day I still have thoughts about going back to the protestant church because no matter how much I try to convince myself that catholicsm is the true path, it just seems impossible.

So yea I hope that helps.
 
scaredkid said:
Hey,

I was a protestant before and converted to catholicsm in 2005 when i was 15.

The main reason I converted was because my protestant “church” was just a hall with chairs and then my friends took me to a catholic church and I was just amazed…then i instantly converted without thinking twice and I didn’t even know what catholics believed in or anything, sure I took a 8 week course but I was mostly sleeping through it. 😃

My family and previous generations are protestant, however my mum and I are now catholic.

Well, even though im catholic I have such strong protestant views also…I try to shake them off by reading alot of proof and justification about catholics asking Saints to intercept etc etc but its impossible for some reason.

Basically i’ll tell u thiis…its 100000 times easier for a catholic to convert to protestant than the other way around. When your protestant they make you feel like you have God and Jesus with you everywhere you go and you feel safe and you can always talk to someone, however in the catholic church its more about the church itself and the relationship with Jesus is much less in my opinion.

To this day I still have thoughts about going back to the protestant church because no matter how much I try to convince myself that catholicsm is the true path, it just seems impossible.

So yea I hope that helps.
Click to expand...
*** “…I have such strong protestant views also”***
What are those Protestant views? Maybe we can provide some answers for you…
 
Jimmy_B said:
I don’t get it…if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren’t you a Catholic Christian?
This is a serious question, so please post your reason here… Please, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion and to defend your own particular denomination.
Click to expand...
Hello my friend in Christ, Jimmy. You ask a fair question - allow me to be the first Protestant to begin answering! To make a longer story shorter, because I am short on time for now; I would say that those who know me well, in person can see that God has definitely led me from the sordid world of drugs, and being on the streets, to a place where now all I want to do in my spare time is study my Bible, and attend the local Adventist Church where He has led me to. I am glad to see you say: “non-Catholic” CHRISTIAN. Some in your Church do not consider other denominations “Christian.” I will be able to say more later, but I have to run for now. Take care and God bless!
 
Primarily because a non-Catholic Christian shared the gospel and I converted from being an atheist. Initially anyway.
I do not get your not getting it. Even though I disagree with a multitude of beliefs, I “get” why they believe the way they do. Do you have difficulty seeing others perspectives?
 
I can’t remember if I posted in the previous thread but I consider myself to be Catholic but reformed (much like the Anglican Church I belong to). I believe almost everything the Catholic Church teaches I just, respectfully, don’t see the historical data that proves the authority and the infallibility of the pope. I guess I’m more inclined to see the Orthodox side of this debate, I would have zero problems with Roman Catholicism if the pope was viewed more as a first among equals as far as bishops go, which I guess is how we view the ABC. I acknowledge the popes important and unique roll as a vehicle of communion but I just do not see the rest. I hope that doesn’t offend anyone, I’m trying to be as respectful as possible, not looking for a debate or argument here just posting my (and most Anglicans I think) beliefs. As far as woman priests go I don’t consider that nearly as important to the debate as papal authority. I support women priests, but like I said I don’t think that is nearly as big an issue for the two faiths.
 
I was under some false assumptions about Catholics. I thought they were crazy people who worshiped Saints, and I didn’t know why they had confession or wanted to have Mass. I just thought we were supposed to follow the teachings of Jesus (treat others how you want to be treated, love one another, etc.). I also believed that Jesus was the son of God (as we are all children of God) and not actually God. I didn’t see a reason to go to church or understand why Catholics believe the way they do.

This website has helped clarify things for me and now I am thinking about converting to Catholicism. 👍
 
scaredkid said:
Basically i’ll tell u thiis…its 100000 times easier for a catholic to convert to protestant than the other way around. When your protestant they make you feel like you have God and Jesus with you everywhere you go and you feel safe and you can always talk to someone, however in the catholic church its more about the church itself and the relationship with Jesus is much less in my opinion.
Click to expand...
This struck me as important and I figured I’d chime in with my two cents. As a Catholic, I agree that one’s relationship with Christ is “personal”. I guess where I disagree is that it is definitely not “private”. The Church is of amazing importance, not just our personal relationship with Christ. And I always feel as though I have God and Jesus with me everywhere I go. In fact, all the angels and saints, to boot! It’s a great feeling.

My recommendation is to pray about this. The power of prayer is amazing and the insight it can give you is unparalleled!

God Bless you and Semper Fidelis.
 
Jimmy_B said:
http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon4.gif I don’t get it…if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren’t you a Catholic Christian? #2
http://fratres.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/pope-benedict-xvi-blessing-of-the-host.jpg
I don’t get it…if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren’t you a Catholic Christian?
This is a serious question, so please post your reason here… Please, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion and to defend your own particular denomination.
I am not the only Catholic here at CAF, or elsewhere, who wonders and wants to know the answer to this question.
If any Catholics, or any converts to Catholicism here, have any insight to the answer, or possible answer(s) to this question, then please post a response here.
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
Protestant101 said:
Hello my friend in Christ, Jimmy. You ask a fair question - allow me to be the first Protestant to begin answering! To make a longer story shorter, because I am short on time for now; I would say that those who know me well, in person can see that God has definitely led me from the sordid world of drugs, and being on the streets, to a place where now all I want to do in my spare time is study my Bible, and attend the local Adventist Church where He has led me to. I am glad to see you say: “non-Catholic” CHRISTIAN. Some in your Church do not consider other denominations “Christian.” I will be able to say more later, but I have to run for now. Take care and God bless!
Click to expand...
Hi P101!
May I first say GOD BLESS YOU! You have been saved from drugs the mercy of the Lord.
I can assure you that as a “Cradle Catholic” there are very few who look down on other Christians who believe in Jesus. Those who do are not really Church participants in my opinion. We as Catholic’s are obliged to defend the Magisterium, but in no way have license to attack others. You can’t be Un-Christian in your defense of Christianity. I know many Baptist and a few Evangelicals, and they are good Christian people. We are all Pro-Life, help the poor and are Christian witness’s, who believe that Jesus is our Saviour.
We have different opinions on some issues, but the “core” Christainan values are the same. People from different Christain denominations will enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven one day…if we are good. God Bless!
 
Isaiah_41 said:
Hi P101!
May I first say GOD BLESS YOU! You have been saved from drugs the mercy of the Lord.
I can assure you that as a “Cradle Catholic” there are very few who look down on other Christians who believe in Jesus. Those who do are not really Church participants in my opinion. We as Catholic’s are obliged to defend the Magisterium, but in no way have license to attack others. You can’t be Un-Christian in your defense of Christianity. I know many Baptist and a few Evangelicals, and they are good Christian people. We are all Pro-Life, help the poor and are Christian witness’s, who believe that Jesus is our Saviour.
We have different opinions on some issues, but the “core” Christainan values are the same. People from different Christain denominations will enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven one day…if we are good. God Bless!
Click to expand...
"May I first say GOD BLESS YOU! You have been saved from drugs the mercy of the Lord’.

Me too, I’m proud of you… I know is wasn’t easy.

May God bless and keep you and watch over you and your loved-ones!
 
Sometimes I have run into a meaness of spirit with certain jack Chick types of non-catholics. I simply do not want to sit in a church and hear such ugliness.

But there are certain items of catholicism that i cannot agree with.

I am also convinced that there will be a rapture. There will be a tribulation. There will be a Second Coming as described by the prophets. There will be a 1000 year reign of Christ from jerusalem. And Satan will be loosed again and finally thrown into a lake of Fire.

For all this is Written.

i go to the cathiolic church because it is my church and i will continue to do so until the day God moves within my heart to go elsewhere. Which i hope never happens.
 
Doxiemom said:
Sometimes I have run into a meaness of spirit with certain jack Chick types of non-catholics. I simply do not want to sit in a church and hear such ugliness.

But there are certain items of catholicism that i cannot agree with.

I am also convinced that there will be a rapture. There will be a tribulation. There will be a Second Coming as described by the prophets. There will be a 1000 year reign of Christ from jerusalem. And Satan will be loosed again and finally thrown into a lake of Fire.

For all this is Written.

i go to the cathiolic church because it is my church and i will continue to do so until the day God moves within my heart to go elsewhere. Which i hope never happens.
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I hope not too! 😃

Can you explain how it was that you accepted a dispensationalist view of these writings, rather than the Catholic view?
 
I am not a Catholic because I am a Friend. In the Society of Friends I have found a faith tradtion that to me reflects the true message of the gospel of Jesus. I do not believe the Church is an institution but a living people, joined to Christ by grace through faith.

The message of the gospel is freedom from the requirements of “ritual cleansings” and “rites”. Through Christ I partake of the benefits of his Priesthood…I need no priest or minister to perform rituals or rites on or for my behalf…all ritual requirements have been fulfilled in Christ. Rites and rituals do not bestow grace…the work of the Holy Spirit is the bestower of grace and mercy and regeneration.

In the Gospel I do not have to place my trust in the teachings of the Society of Friends…the teachings of the Society is a tool…I have direct and unmediated access to God…no priest or minister need “offer” anything to God in my behalf. I need to perform or participate in any ritual observance to be recipient of His grace and mercy. I need no “priest” to stand in for Christ.

Putting my trust in an institution to “tell me the correct thing to believe” is a foreign concept to me. It is beyond me to place my trust in any human organization no matter what their claim for themselves is. No human organization is the sole dispenser of Truth nor is it the “preserver and teacher of Truth”.

Truth is something we live…it is not a set of beliefs, rituals or dogmas. While I do accept that ritual and creeds CAN at best be “shadowy” vehicles of Truth that CAN lead us into a deeper understanding of the Holy Mystery of God’s love and mercy through Christ.

Through corporate worship I have experienced the Holy Presence in our midst as the Risen Christ has moved among us…teaching us Himself on what it means to be His disciple…“He has showed you O man what is good, and what the Lord requires of you, do justice, show mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

I have found the tools in the Society of Friends to do “what is required of me”.

I do not accept the pious history which the Catholic church claims for itself…it’s historical development was mostly political expediancy…not divine intervention or establishment.
 
stephe1987 said:
I was under some false assumptions about Catholics. I thought they were crazy people who worshiped Saints, and I didn’t know why they had confession or wanted to have Mass. I just thought we were supposed to follow the teachings of Jesus (treat others how you want to be treated, love one another, etc.). I also believed that Jesus was the son of God (as we are all children of God) and not actually God. I didn’t see a reason to go to church or understand why Catholics believe the way they do.

This website has helped clarify things for me and now I am thinking about converting to Catholicism. 👍
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False assumptions is usully the case with many non-Catholics. They hear and believe what they have been told their whole lives without ever taking the time to find out what the church truly teaches. I am not saying all non-Catholics do not take the time to study what the CC teaches,but it is not very common I come across a non-Catholic who knows what the CC truly teaches.
 
I do not accept the pious history which the Catholic church claims for itself…it’s historical development was mostly political expediancy…not divine intervention or establishment.
Click to expand...
Pious? Sorry my friend,but you have been believing a false premise. The CC does not claim an impeccable-pious record throughout it is 2,000 year history. Exactly why John Paul II apologized back in 2005.As for political expendiancy? Not entirely true. No government even remotely supported the church for nearly 400 years,so its early historical development was not mostly political.
 
Nicea325 said:
Pious? Sorry my friend,but who have done enough homework or have been believing a false premise.** The CC does not claim an impeccable record throughout it is 2,000 year history.** As for political expendiancy? Not entirely true. No government even remotely supported the church for nearly 400 years,so its early historical development was not mostly political.
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I didn’t claim that it did friend…I do not accept it’s claim to be in the sucession of the Apostles. I do not believe in it’s claims that it was established by Jesus of Nazareth in 33CE.

It was most certainly political expediancy when Constantine saw within the Christian faith a vehicle to unify the Roman Empire. He called the council of Nicea to “hammer out” the differences within the Christian movement. He had a ready made network within the “proto-catholic/orthodox” tradition which the competing traditions of Christianity did not share through it’s letters and writings between “bishops” of various congregations throughout the Roman empire which the “proto-orthodox/catholics” utilized to their great advantage in keeping in touch with one another. The “orthodox/catholic” tradition had no problem aligning itself with the government. Other traditions were acetic or remained separate as their beliefs did not coincide with the emerging “orthodox-catholic” groups.

There is nothing “divine” or “supernatural” about church history…this small Jewish sect at first competed within Judaism as the “true expression” of the Jewish faith after the destruction of the Temple. By the early 4th century the competing sects of Christianity each claimed to be the “true expression” of the teaching of Jesus…even making the same claims as the “proto-orthodox/catholics” by claiming “apostolic roots”…Valentius claimed he was taught by Thedus who was taught by Paul.

Alexandrian Christianity leaned toward a Gnostic tradition and claimed to be established by Mark…both the “orthodox” and “gnostics” claimed apostolic succession…the “orthodox” won the debate by aligning itself with the government and establishing itself as the dominant version of Christianity.

I do concede I have not read enough books…so many books…so little time…but the 100’s of books I have read concerning church history has led me to my conclusion…a conclusion that I cannot ascribe to Catholicism as the “true faith.”…it is one of many making that claim for itself…Truth is lived…it is not a set of doctrines and dogmas to be adhered to…unless those “doctrines and dogmas” see real life change and make this a better world…or at least makes the small “world” I live in better…it is “tinkling brass and clanging cymbols”.
 
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