If you are a Christian, what is the real reason for you not being a Catholic? - 3
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Victor_Andreas
Guest
Why would i want to join a church that has killed millions during the dark ages for not denying our Lord Jesus and not kneel to the priest? Or join and be “obsolve” from sin when the priest could be a peodifile ? Did you know that Mexico’s (just a tiny example) drug lords have their own priests for confession? You don’t think the pope knows about this? Dosen’t this ring a bell to you guys? I respect everyone’s believes and won’t go far into this topic but its either the bible or the catholic teaching and you know i believe the scripture. I remember during the 60’s when i was around ten that the priest from our church (for my dad was a catholic) would extend his arm and we would kneel and kiss his hand. This is what Jesus forgives on repenting, our ignorantly kneeling and kissing his hand who voluntarily extended his arm to be kissed. May God forgive them.
T
to_seek
Guest
Hi, Ive done pretty much what you did, leave the catholic church and go protestant. I am reconsidering like youve done, returning. Id really like to hear what made you return to catholiscim, what problems you had with the protestant churches, as you may be the one who could help me return. Anyway would like to hear back from you. To Seek.
M
Metamorphoo
Guest
Jimmy B, I must confess that I find your original post unfair. I have never previously stated so on this board, but I was brought up in the Catholic Church, attended 12 years of Catholic school, and went to church faithfully every Sunday–even after I left home and went off to college as a young adult. I left the RCC in my early twenties to attend a small evangelical charismatic church in the community I lived in at the time.
Although I am by no means a sinless person, I never participated in what Catholics and other Christians would consider to be grossly immoral behavior–either prior to or after I left the Catholic Church. I was a virgin until I married–and we have been together for almost 17 years now. In summary, I don’t fit the non-practicing/ promiscuous /multi-marriage stereotype that you are lumping all ex-Catholics Christians into.
So why did I leave? At that time, it was not really about any theological issues I had with Catholicism. What really stood out to me was the clear commitment to Christ that I saw in the people at this small evangelical church. It wasn’t just “a few in the pew” with this kind of love for Jesus; it was characteristic of the congregation. It made a HUGE impression on me. I was drawn to the character of Christ that I saw in them, the authenticity of their daily Christian walk. And I wanted to be around people who loved Jesus like that. It was as simple as that. Not very theological, but it is honest.
I had never seen anything like it in any of the Catholic churches that I had belonged to. (Don’t read more into it than what I have said–I’m not trying to make a stereotypical slam against all RC parishes.) For that matter, I haven’t seen it in too many Protestant churches of my experience either!
Over the years, however, I have become more theologically minded than I was back then. In the last eight years, I have probably developed a better understanding of Catholic theology than I ever did when I was Catholic–largely because of the intensive study I have done on the Jewish heritage of Christianity. As I have learned about ancient Jewish theology/practices, I have seen some parallel ideas/practices in the RCC–and I understand where Catholics are coming from in some of those areas that Protestants typically take issue with.
A “biggie” for me, however, is the Catholic attitude toward Mary. While I don’t have a problem honoring and respecting her as a godly woman (which she was, indeed), I am very uncomfortable with the degree to which she is exalted by Catholics, both at the institutional level as well as in practices of the individual Catholic. Although I have read Catholic apologists’ defense on the subject, I still do not see any theological purpose that would justify exalting Mary to that degree.
Although I am by no means a sinless person, I never participated in what Catholics and other Christians would consider to be grossly immoral behavior–either prior to or after I left the Catholic Church. I was a virgin until I married–and we have been together for almost 17 years now. In summary, I don’t fit the non-practicing/ promiscuous /multi-marriage stereotype that you are lumping all ex-Catholics Christians into.
So why did I leave? At that time, it was not really about any theological issues I had with Catholicism. What really stood out to me was the clear commitment to Christ that I saw in the people at this small evangelical church. It wasn’t just “a few in the pew” with this kind of love for Jesus; it was characteristic of the congregation. It made a HUGE impression on me. I was drawn to the character of Christ that I saw in them, the authenticity of their daily Christian walk. And I wanted to be around people who loved Jesus like that. It was as simple as that. Not very theological, but it is honest.
I had never seen anything like it in any of the Catholic churches that I had belonged to. (Don’t read more into it than what I have said–I’m not trying to make a stereotypical slam against all RC parishes.) For that matter, I haven’t seen it in too many Protestant churches of my experience either!
Over the years, however, I have become more theologically minded than I was back then. In the last eight years, I have probably developed a better understanding of Catholic theology than I ever did when I was Catholic–largely because of the intensive study I have done on the Jewish heritage of Christianity. As I have learned about ancient Jewish theology/practices, I have seen some parallel ideas/practices in the RCC–and I understand where Catholics are coming from in some of those areas that Protestants typically take issue with.
A “biggie” for me, however, is the Catholic attitude toward Mary. While I don’t have a problem honoring and respecting her as a godly woman (which she was, indeed), I am very uncomfortable with the degree to which she is exalted by Catholics, both at the institutional level as well as in practices of the individual Catholic. Although I have read Catholic apologists’ defense on the subject, I still do not see any theological purpose that would justify exalting Mary to that degree.
R
reteeks21
Guest
Did you join any church after you left the RCC?
J
Jon_Hus
Guest
Why I’m not catholic? Well I had a nominal baptist upbringing, we attended church until I was about 7 years old. During all 4 years in High School I went to catholic church with my friends. My oldest sister had a Bible but I never read it, she wouldn’t let anyone touch it. I was too timid to ask my parents for one. For some odd reason I had a desire to read it though. Much of my extended family is catholic, I have a cousin that is a priest and one of my great aunts was a nun.
During the summer between high school and college I had a personal chrisis and started thinking about God. Even though I was attending church at least once a week I realized I knew nothing about God. Within a couple of days after arriving on college campus in 1976, I bought a Bible. I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to get right to the source of things and what better way than to read the Bible? There was no one urging me to do this, I was hoping to have my questions about God answered without having to ask anyone. To be perfectlly honest, I really didn’t know what questions to ask.
Anyway, my roomate was catholic and really didn’t know anything about the Bible so he couldn’t answer any of my questions. In short order I became involved in the campus ministry fellowship and there I found students like myself wanting to learn about the Bible and others that were very knowledgable about it. Several of those students are still friends today although some live 1000+ miles away.
From day one in this adventure I remember that I believed the bible to be a true book, I never really doubted it. Even today I take it as literal. So this is the main reason why I’m not catholic as most of what is up front and center in catholic worship is not found in the Bible. It is my opinion that the individual is responsible to acquire the knowledge that God requires. God put a desire in me to read His book and the only thing I did was put myself in a position to follow through with that desire.
I do not take anyones word as final, not my pastor, favorite commentary, nothing, no one. I will seek opinions but at the end of the day, I go the the book and with prayer ask God to speak to me through His word, the Bible.
During the summer between high school and college I had a personal chrisis and started thinking about God. Even though I was attending church at least once a week I realized I knew nothing about God. Within a couple of days after arriving on college campus in 1976, I bought a Bible. I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to get right to the source of things and what better way than to read the Bible? There was no one urging me to do this, I was hoping to have my questions about God answered without having to ask anyone. To be perfectlly honest, I really didn’t know what questions to ask.
Anyway, my roomate was catholic and really didn’t know anything about the Bible so he couldn’t answer any of my questions. In short order I became involved in the campus ministry fellowship and there I found students like myself wanting to learn about the Bible and others that were very knowledgable about it. Several of those students are still friends today although some live 1000+ miles away.
From day one in this adventure I remember that I believed the bible to be a true book, I never really doubted it. Even today I take it as literal. So this is the main reason why I’m not catholic as most of what is up front and center in catholic worship is not found in the Bible. It is my opinion that the individual is responsible to acquire the knowledge that God requires. God put a desire in me to read His book and the only thing I did was put myself in a position to follow through with that desire.
I do not take anyones word as final, not my pastor, favorite commentary, nothing, no one. I will seek opinions but at the end of the day, I go the the book and with prayer ask God to speak to me through His word, the Bible.
M
Mr_Sun
Guest
I think the church does need another reformation to bring it to modern days. Its not a state within itself anymore so it shouldn’t act like it. I would love for the Church to act more open about all of what it does whether its good or bad. But thats not a reason to not believe in the principals it started with. Everything gets corrupt after a while. the Government is corrupt! everything does. History is doomed to repeat itself.
I just listen to the core concepts of Catholicism that make sense to me.
For Example:
I will use a condom… unless God personally tells me otherwise.
I dont go to most Catholic Churches because most of them are horrible and mean to my autistic brother. He screamed once and we got kicked out. We HAD to dress up also which I think is stupid. God created us nude, WEAR CLOTHES STILL but I don’t think we should HAVE to dress in a suit.
However I do believe in Confession. Next time I get a chance I will go to my first confession, other than that, I got to a Nondenominational Christian Church because the way everybody acted so nice and caring, it MADE me want to go back to church.
S
StillWondering
Guest
Know that every hour of everyday, there is a Mass being celebrated and in those prayers are prayers for the world. Everyday. Every hour. Nearly every country. Nearly every latitude and longitude. There is a Mass. And you are prayed for in that Mass.
That is only one part of being Catholic.
That is only one part of being Catholic.
B
Bluegoat
Guest
I don’t believe the Catholic (or Orthodox) Church is the one true church in the way they say. Not that I think they are NOT part of it, but I think other groups are as well. If that was not a requirement, I might be closer theologically to those groups than Anglicanism, but, as DR Phil says, that one is a deal breaker.
If I became convinced that such institutional unity was necessary, I would become Orthodox I think. At one time I might have really considered Catholicism, but I have problems with some of it’s theological developments and spiritual focus.
Also, the liturgy and music would be an issue for me with Catholicism, which may be silly but it would be a serious trial.
And I never had a non-Christian wild period, though I did have a Christian wild period.
If I became convinced that such institutional unity was necessary, I would become Orthodox I think. At one time I might have really considered Catholicism, but I have problems with some of it’s theological developments and spiritual focus.
Also, the liturgy and music would be an issue for me with Catholicism, which may be silly but it would be a serious trial.
And I never had a non-Christian wild period, though I did have a Christian wild period.
P
Publisher
Guest
The “real reason” as opposed to the “false reason” I’ve posted before why I am not Catholic? You mean the “real reason” because I’ve been lying previous times?
M
Mikeoffaith
Guest
So the reason for the Roman Catholic Church as being the one true Church is because of the papal secession, the historical chronological order of Popes? And that is why you are Roman Catholic?
You seem to not have your facts straight. There is not a Roman Catholic Church built over every site where an Apostle is buried. A few that come to mind, would be John. There is no longer a church built over his burial site and even before it’s complete destruction in the 1400’s it was an orthodox church. Then of course there is St. Andrew who is buried in Patras, Greece in an orthodox church. And then there is Bartholomew who is under an Armenian (not Roman Catholic) monastery which now sits in ruins on a Turkish Army base, so technically, I guess he is buried under a Turkish Army Base and not a Roman Catholic Church.
And so now, why are you Roman Catholic again?
J
Jimmy_B
Guest
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