Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?

[mark_a]

If it’s hard to be a Christian then something is fundamentally wrong. Jesus said “My yoke is easy”.

Something tells me your view might be a little different if you were a Chinese or an Iraqi Catholic.

 

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by ForeverGrace
If it’s hard to be a Christian then something is fundamentally wrong. Jesus said “My yoke is easy”.

Perhaps but perhaps not…Remember that when Jesus said that his yoke was easy, it was to people living under Roman domination and the church suffered off and on persecution for some 300+ years or so the faith was “legalized” in the Roman Empire.

Jesus knew persecution and said that his yoke was easy anyway. So there must be something to it…Even in persecution.

Peace
James

 

[guanophore]

Perhaps but perhaps not…Remember that when Jesus said that his yoke was easy, it was to people living under Roman domination and the church suffered off and on persecution for some 300+ years or so the faith was “legalized” in the Roman Empire.

Jesus knew persecution and said that his yoke was easy anyway. So there must be something to it…Even in persecution.

Peace
James

The Gk. word for “easy” is chrestos which primarily signifies “fit for use, able to be used” or “suitable”.

Mules or oxen who are “easily yoked” wear a yoke that fits well and is usable. This does not equate to “easy” in the sense that there is no suffering, or no work, or no difficulty. .

 

[Cat]

The Gk. word for “easy” is chrestos which primarily signifies “fit for use, able to be used” or “suitable”.

Mules or oxen who are “easily yoked” wear a yoke that fits well and is usable. This does not equate to “easy” in the sense that there is no suffering, or no work, or no difficulty. .

This is good to know. Thank you for posting this.

The Bible is full of examples of those who suffered in spite of their faith. St. Stephen is one of the best examples, the first of many martyrs for Jesus.

There is no way that martyrdom can be “easy.” Joyful, perhaps, although it is difficult for those of us who live comfortably in the U.S. and have never experienced war, famine, persecution (physical), disease epidemics, torture, etc. to comprehend ghastly death.

I will freely and unashamedly admit that the idea of being tortured and killed because of my faith terrifies me. Perhaps others embrace the idea of being martyred, but I don’t. I trust that if that time should ever come, God will give me the mental and physical strength to endure to the end.

Even the word “endurance” implies doing something that isn’t easy. Many of us aren’t physically tortured and killed, but we are experiencing great trials in our daily lives. Our spouses no longer love us, or our children are a sorrow to us, or our eldely loved ones are ill and dying, or our jobs are not providing us a sufficient income to survive, or perhaps we struggle against evil circumstances such as an abusive spouse, a sinful cleric, a lukewarm church, an addiction (ourselves or a loved one).

Being a Christian is not “easy,” because all too often, we simply can’t find God no matter how hard we look. We are still human, and our vision is still obscured by the veil that separates this world from the next world.

Our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, and the Holy Spirit seems to be ignoring us, and all the spiritual exercises that have comforted us in the past–prayer, fasting, reading the Bible and other written expressions of faith, singing, praising, retreats, etc.–don’t seem to do squat to help us emerge from our darkness.

Although I have never read it, I believe that St. John of the Cross wrote extensively about “the dark night of the soul.” I’ve heard that Mother Teresa of Calcutta experienced depression throughout her life.

So those of us who experience a “hard” life as Christians are not alone, but have lofty company.

Yes, of course both Catholics and Protestants find comfort from the Lord in the midst of suffering and trials–the Holy Spirit does provide for all our needs, and our faith will indeed help us through anything. In that sense, yes, praise God, it’s easier to be a Christian than a non-Christian. But that’s not my question. My question is, “Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?”

Day after day, as we slog or trudge or limp, or prance or dance or run through life, what’s easier, being a Protestant Christian or a Catholic Christian? Which religion is easier to practice each day?

(Yes, I know that Protestants recoil at the use of the word “religion,” but the Bible uses the word, and it is a good word to describe the “practical organization” of Christianity.)

 

[guanophore]

This is good to know. Thank you for posting this.

You are most welcome. A wonderful tidbit I learned when I was a practicing Protestant.
It was Baptists that taught me to read the Bible, and Methodists that helped me learn Greek.

The Bible is full of examples of those who suffered in spite of their faith. St. Stephen is one of the best examples, the first of many martyrs for Jesus.

There is no way that martyrdom can be “easy.” Joyful, perhaps, although it is difficult for those of us who live comfortably in the U.S. and have never experienced war, famine, persecution (physical), disease epidemics, torture, etc. to comprehend ghastly death.

I can’t imagine that Paul found his sufferings"easy" in the modern American sense of the word.

2 Cor 12:7-9
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to** torment **me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Cor 11:23-28
with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death. 24 Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked.

What in this passage could possibly be construed as “easy” in the modern American sense of the word (trouble free, without difficulty, effortless, uncomplicated, undemanding, painless, unproblematic)?

Yes, by grace Paul was able to endure with faith, hope,and joy. But he summarized his sufferings thus:

1 Cor 15:19
19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

precisely because of sufferings and difficulties of the path of discipleship.

I will freely and unashamedly admit that the idea of being tortured and killed because of my faith terrifies me. Perhaps others embrace the idea of being martyred, but I don’t. I trust that if that time should ever come, God will give me the mental and physical strength to endure to the end.

It is natural for human beings to flee from suffering and death. It is part of the life instinct that was created in us. I do embrace the idea of being martryed, but more along the lines of embracing the cross. I will not be surprised if we are called upon to do this. American Christians have not had to suffer for their faith like those in most other countries, but our culture of death is moving in that direction. I, with you, pray that I will have the grace to embrace that cross with dignity.

Even the word “endurance” implies doing something that isn’t easy. Many of us aren’t physically tortured and killed, but we are experiencing great trials in our daily lives. Our spouses no longer love us, or our children are a sorrow to us, or our eldely loved ones are ill and dying, or our jobs are not providing us a sufficient income to survive, or perhaps we struggle against evil circumstances such as an abusive spouse, a sinful cleric, a lukewarm church, an addiction (ourselves or a loved one).

I was listening to Fr. Corapi just last night on this point. Following Christ means taking up your cross, and these are the crosses we were given. He made the point that we don’t need to go out and LOOK for any suffering, because it is all around us, and God has placed the hairshirt next to us in the pew.

Being a Christian is not "easy," because all too often, we simply can't find God no matter how hard we look.  We are still human, and our vision is still obscured by the veil that separates this world from the next world.

This is the great miracle of St. Teresa’s walk of faith. I was astonished to learn that most days, she did not have a sense of the presence of God. To pursue obedience so doggedly with so little consolation is phenomenal.

Our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, and the Holy Spirit seems to be ignoring us, and all the spiritual exercises that have comforted us in the past–prayer, fasting, reading the Bible and other written expressions of faith, singing, praising, retreats, etc.–don’t seem to do squat to help us emerge from our darkness.

I don’t think that God requires every person to go to the Dark Night of the Soul, but for those who are called, this stage of suffering is unavoidable.

Although I have never read it, I believe that St. John of the Cross wrote extensively about “the dark night of the soul.” I’ve heard that Mother Teresa of Calcutta experienced depression throughout her life.

I think that God set her for us as an example, and that there will be many more of us who are called to pursue holiness in the midst of that dark night.

 

[guanophore]

So those of us who experience a “hard” life as Christians are not alone, but have lofty company.

Yes, of course both Catholics and Protestants find comfort from the Lord in the midst of suffering and trials–the Holy Spirit does provide for all our needs, and our faith will indeed help us through anything. In that sense, yes, praise God, it’s easier to be a Christian than a non-Christian. But that’s not my question. My question is, “Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?”

Day after day, as we slog or trudge or limp, or prance or dance or run through life, what’s easier, being a Protestant Christian or a Catholic Christian? Which religion is easier to practice each day?

(Yes, I know that Protestants recoil at the use of the word “religion,” but the Bible uses the word, and it is a good word to describe the “practical organization” of Christianity.)

I was thinking about your question yesterday too, and I don’t think it matters if one is Protestant, Catholic, or has never been exposed to Christianity. I think, if a person is truly devoted to seeking after God, and finding Him, they will soon encounter the cross, and in taking it up, will also encounter His grace to carry it. I have known Protestants that embrace the cross with much more devotion than many Catholics.

 

[JRKH]

The Gk. word for “easy” is chrestos which primarily signifies “fit for use, able to be used” or “suitable”.

Mules or oxen who are “easily yoked” wear a yoke that fits well and is usable. This does not equate to “easy” in the sense that there is no suffering, or no work, or no difficulty. .

Thanks for this. I have looked up the Greek for different words but never for this one. I guess because I never had a question or concern about our Lord’s yoke.

It’s a good thing to know…

Peace
James

 

[kathmandu]

This is the most interesting question for me. I am a cradle catholic who was submitted to a difficult childhood by a Roman Catholic Deacon who was very abusive. I was sent to 12 years of catholic school which I view as a 12 year prison sentence, and was finally released at 18. I married at 19 just to get out of my father’s house. Marriage lasted less than 2 years.

So, needless to say, I was not a practicing catholic as an adult. Part of the problem is that I do not believe nor can I accept all the dogma. As a young teenager I asked many, many questions that no ever answers. I got a lot of “it’s a mystery.” I love the idea of catholic practice but I would be a cafeteria catholic at best.

I am technically an Episcopalian. I was received into that church in 2000. I like the Episcopal Church, but there is not enough for me there. It is not fulfilling. And I am not one who is into the social atmosphere and they expect that.

I am catholic in attitude but not belief. I am Episcopalian in belief but not in practice. I am a person without a country. I am married to a divorced cafeteria catholic who goes to Mass most Sundays, receives communion, and comes home happy and fulfilled. His explanation is that his ex-wife left him after 30 years, he did not leave the marriage, the it is the Catholics Church’s problem what to do with him. He will still worship in the same manner he always has.

I would love to have a church to go to but I fit nowhere. I find it is impossible to be either one.

 

[SnakeMauler]

Every day is a struggle against the devil and temptation. I don’t think being a Protestant or Catholic would make anything easier.

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

This is the most interesting question for me. I am a cradle catholic who was submitted to a difficult childhood by a Roman Catholic Deacon who was very abusive. I was sent to 12 years of catholic school which I view as a 12 year prison sentence, and was finally released at 18. I married at 19 just to get out of my father’s house. Marriage lasted less than 2 years.

So, needless to say, I was not a practicing catholic as an adult. Part of the problem is that I do not believe nor can I accept all the dogma. As a young teenager I asked many, many questions that no ever answers. I got a lot of “it’s a mystery.” I love the idea of catholic practice but I would be a cafeteria catholic at best.

I am technically an Episcopalian. I was received into that church in 2000. I like the Episcopal Church, but there is not enough for me there. It is not fulfilling. And I am not one who is into the social atmosphere and they expect that.

I am catholic in attitude but not belief. I am Episcopalian in belief but not in practice. I am a person without a country. I am married to a divorced cafeteria catholic who goes to Mass most Sundays, receives communion, and comes home happy and fulfilled. His explanation is that his ex-wife left him after 30 years, he did not leave the marriage, the it is the Catholics Church’s problem what to do with him. He will still worship in the same manner he always has.

I would love to have a church to go to but I fit nowhere. I find it is impossible to be either one.

When I look at all the different Christian religions out there, I see many in conflict with each other. They can’t all be right. So if I look at some of the differences - which church puts what it believes in writing? Which church stands up for life of the unborn? Which church stands up for human dignity and respect for all people? Which church stands up for lifelong marriage between a man and a woman?

When Jesus told Peter - upon this rock I will build my church. He did it because the Holy Spirit selected him. So are we supposed to place our faith in Luther or Calvin - men who disagreed wtih the church that guaranteed that the gates of hell would not prevail against it?

Yes - many of the Catholic church positions are not easier. Wouldn’t it be easier to walk away from a bad marriage? Wouldn’t it be easier to kill an unwanted child? Wouldn’t it be easier to pull the plug on grandma? Wouldn’t it be easier to say “I’m saved because I believe” and then continue to do bad things?

So yes, the right choice is not always the easy choice. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying - every day. And I continue to beg for forgiveness.

 

[mark_a]

Perhaps but perhaps not…Remember that when Jesus said that his yoke was easy, it was to people living under Roman domination and the church suffered off and on persecution for some 300+ years or so the faith was “legalized” in the Roman Empire.

Jesus knew persecution and said that his yoke was easy anyway. So there must be something to it…Even in persecution.

Peace
James

Maybe I misunderstood the post I responded to. If so, I’m sorry for being so presumptuous.

If I did understand it correctly, please refer to this post.

Either way, best wishes.

 

[NZAVALA]

Being Catholic is easier because it is the easiest way to Heaven. Not because of any obligations or moral traditions or danger of “losing” Heaven, but because the Catholic Church is the One, TRUE Faith established by Christ and therein lies the most and best “tools” for getting to Heaven; Sacraments, Mass, Eucharist etc… The whole point is to get to Heaven right? Whatever your faith we are all sinners. What will be the path we choose to get from sinner to Heaven?

As an analogy: There are two identical obstacle courses with hills and valleys, rivers, etc. Do you run the course that has bridges, boats, friends and first aid kits or the course void of these “tools”? Either way you’ll finish at some point, but which path is EASIER?

 

[AnneTeresa]

The whole point is to get to Heaven right? Whatever your faith we are all sinners. What will be the path we choose to get from sinner to Heaven?

When I was protestant, the goal was not to get to heaven. It was assumed I was going there because I had faith. The goal was to follow Christ in everyday life. It was only when I came back to the Catholic Church that I saw the emphasis on getting to heaven again.

 

[rinnie]

I’ve been both. For the first 47 years of my life, I was an active and faithful member of various evangelical Protestant churches. In 2004, my husband and I converted to Catholicism, and we’ve been active and faithful Catholics.

So which is easier?

I don’t want to post my opinion yet (mainly because I have to go to work now!). Also, I am interested in reading what others have to say.

On the surface, it seems that Protestantism is the “easier” path. No obligations, no sacraments. For many Protestants, no fear of ever losing heaven. Great music, friendly people, lots of activities for children and teenagers. Lots of activities for all ages, actually.

Catholics have obligations, including the Sunday Mass obligation. Catholics have sacraments. Catholics must avoid “mortal sin” or they will not go to heaven. Catholic music is often bearable, but seldom great. Many Catholic parishes are hard to make friends in. Often there are very limited activities for Catholics–maybe a Bible study, and maybe not. Probably not a weekly kids’ club–instead, the kids get “religious education”–no campfires or craft projects or sing-alongs in CCD! And youth groups–often they are pretty small, because all the Catholic teens are over at the Assemblies of God weekly youth meeting along with hundreds of other teens! Or the Catholic teens have stopped attending Church entirely, to the dismay of their parents.

But is Protestantism really easier? Hmmm…

I encourage anyone to think about and answer this question. Obviously converts to Catholicism have personal experience with both forms of Christianity, but I know a lot of Catholics who have knowledge of Protestant life and practices, too.

I don’t think its easy to be good and live our life to the best of our knowledge no matter what faith you are.

So my answer is neither. Its like saying is sin stronger for a Catholic to resist or a non-catholic. Sin is sin. God gives us his Good Grace according to how we use it. He knows our heart, and he knows when we are living our live for his good or our own.

Jesus told us this is not his world, and if we believe and follow Christ this is not our world either. He told us if they hate me they will hate you also. If we love and believe in Christ and live our life with him in our mind and soul we have a hard life in this world. Because it is a world that hates us also.

 

[rinnie]

This is the most interesting question for me. I am a cradle catholic who was submitted to a difficult childhood by a Roman Catholic Deacon who was very abusive. I was sent to 12 years of catholic school which I view as a 12 year prison sentence, and was finally released at 18. I married at 19 just to get out of my father’s house. Marriage lasted less than 2 years.

So, needless to say, I was not a practicing catholic as an adult. Part of the problem is that I do not believe nor can I accept all the dogma. As a young teenager I asked many, many questions that no ever answers. I got a lot of “it’s a mystery.” I love the idea of catholic practice but I would be a cafeteria catholic at best.

I am technically an Episcopalian. I was received into that church in 2000. I like the Episcopal Church, but there is not enough for me there. It is not fulfilling. And I am not one who is into the social atmosphere and they expect that.

I am catholic in attitude but not belief. I am Episcopalian in belief but not in practice. I am a person without a country. I am married to a divorced cafeteria catholic who goes to Mass most Sundays, receives communion, and comes home happy and fulfilled. His explanation is that his ex-wife left him after 30 years, he did not leave the marriage, the it is the Catholics Church’s problem what to do with him. He will still worship in the same manner he always has.

I would love to have a church to go to but I fit nowhere. I find it is impossible to be either one.

Here is what you need to try to do. Just try to forget for a moment what the Deacon did to you. Don’t blame the Church because of the failures of humans. Never put you faith in a Priest or anyone but God. No human will ever not have sin. Look at Judas he also failed Jesus did he not?

Now go back to the questions of the RCC that you have. Ask them here. One at a time and we will try to help you sort things out.

Then every morning when you get up Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to where you belong. Do not look for a quick fix, God takes his time not ours. SO just pray every morning. It can be short and sweet. Like Dear GOd help me find my home in you.

Then let God take over.

 

[newconvert56]

As a former ECLA Lutheran who was mostly raised in the MS Lutheran Church (we were Catholic until I was 7), I love the CC because of the Traditions, which help me to worship, pray,and feel God’s presence more than I ever could without these so called “distractions”. I see the fullness of faith in the CC and I just feel plain old joy everytime I go to Mass. I can’t even imagine how it will feel at and after the Easter Vigil when I am able to take communion. Easier no, but for me that is not what matters. If ECLA is too hard (but can’t imagine that) just wait awhile, something in the church will be changed soon enough

 

[kathmandu]

When I look at all the different Christian religions out there, I see many in conflict with each other. They can’t all be right. So if I look at some of the differences - which church puts what it believes in writing? Which church stands up for life of the unborn? Which church stands up for human dignity and respect for all people? Which church stands up for lifelong marriage between a man and a woman?

When Jesus told Peter - upon this rock I will build my church. He did it because the Holy Spirit selected him. So are we supposed to place our faith in Luther or Calvin - men who disagreed wtih the church that guaranteed that the gates of hell would not prevail against it?

Yes - many of the Catholic church positions are not easier. Wouldn’t it be easier to walk away from a bad marriage? Wouldn’t it be easier to kill an unwanted child? Wouldn’t it be easier to pull the plug on grandma? Wouldn’t it be easier to say “I’m saved because I believe” and then continue to do bad things?

So yes, the right choice is not always the easy choice. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying - every day. And I continue to beg for forgiveness.

Thank you for your kind reply. Things you have mentioned in your post are some of the things that I have issue with. I do not believe you stay in a bad marriage. It damages all involved often beyond repair, I am pro choice. I am an adoptee. It would be interesting to see how many of us would rather not have been born and rejected by our families, and have had very unhappy lives. And when it is time to die we would not be burden on our families or society.

So you see I really am a protestant in belief. I have a dislike of protestant worship services. I truly am between a rock and a hard place as far as worship goes. I would love to attend daily Mass. That is not something you will find in the Episcopal or Lutheran churches, for example. But then when I was a practicing Episcopalian I served on the altar as a sub-deacon every Sunday. Our priest was disabled and needed a second set of hands. Those were the best worship services of my entire life. That priest is now retired and the opportunity is no longer available to me.

I know there are closet Catholics who are pro-choice, but I am not comfortable being a closet anything. And I believe what I believe after years of thought, consideration, and experience. No one is going to be able to tell me to believe something else. It would be a lie. And yes, I pray and ask for guidance.

 

[kathmandu]

Here is what you need to try to do. Just try to forget for a moment what the Deacon did to you. Don’t blame the Church because of the failures of humans. Never put you faith in a Priest or anyone but God. No human will ever not have sin. Look at Judas he also failed Jesus did he not?

Now go back to the questions of the RCC that you have. Ask them here. One at a time and we will try to help you sort things out.

Then every morning when you get up Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to where you belong. Do not look for a quick fix, God takes his time not ours. SO just pray every morning. It can be short and sweet. Like Dear GOd help me find my home in you.

Then let God take over.

This has all been done, and is on going, but thank you anyway. The answer I get is that I don’t belong anywhere. There is no church for me.

The troubling thing is if I attend a catholic Mass I often leave very angry. In many ways this is good in that in years past I would not even be able to get through the door. So at least I feel free enough to enter the buildings. it is amazing what childhood trauma can do to a person.

 

[kathmandu]

As a former ECLA Lutheran who was mostly raised in the MS Lutheran Church (we were Catholic until I was 7), I love the CC because of the Traditions, which help me to worship, pray,and feel God’s presence more than I ever could without these so called “distractions”. I see the fullness of faith in the CC and I just feel plain old joy everytime I go to Mass. I can’t even imagine how it will feel at and after the Easter Vigil when I am able to take communion. Easier no, but for me that is not what matters. If ECLA is too hard (but can’t imagine that) just wait awhile, something in the church will be changed soon enough

You feel joy when you go to Mass? I am very envious of you.

 

[JRKH]

I know this is a response to another, but if I my I’d like to comment…I dealt with some of the things you mention below…

Thank you for your kind reply. Things you have mentioned in your post are some of the things that I have issue with. I do not believe you stay in a bad marriage. It damages all involved often beyond repair,

To an extent I agree with this. In fact I DID stay in a bad marriage and damaged my son severely (emotionally). However…The problem was we married too young and she was already pregnant…If we had waited it is unlikely we would have ever gotten married…So my point is that Rather than not staing in a bad marriage, the solution is to be patient and careful about making a marriage and then working dilligently to keep it a good marriage.

I am pro choice. I am an adoptee. It would be interesting to see how many of us would rather not have been born and rejected by our families, and have had very unhappy lives.

I too am pro-choice…I am pro giving every child the chance to grow up and choose make something of themselves instead of being killed off in the womb. As for being “rejected by your family” it seems you were accepted by a family too…

And when it is time to die we would not be burden on our families or society.

When death comes naturally it should be embraced. But neither should it be ended simply to avoid being “a burden”, for in the Christian life, even “burdens” are blessings.
I know for I care for my wife who has late stage Alzheimer’s disease. My mother cared for my dad. Both my parents cared for her mother. In each case huge blessings were to be found.

So you see I really am a protestant in belief. I have a dislike of protestant worship services. I truly am between a rock and a hard place as far as worship goes. I would love to attend daily Mass. That is not something you will find in the Episcopal or Lutheran churches, for example. But then when I was a practicing Episcopalian I served on the altar as a sub-deacon every Sunday. Our priest was disabled and needed a second set of hands. Those were the best worship services of my entire life. That priest is now retired and the opportunity is no longer available to me.

Indeed you obviously do have issues to work through. but I believe that God is calling you into His Church and so long as you keeps praying and studying on these matters

I know there are closet Catholics who are pro-choice, but I am not comfortable being a closet anything. And I believe what I believe after years of thought, consideration, and experience. No one is going to be able to tell me to believe something else. It would be a lie. And yes, I pray and ask for guidance.

I applaud you for being true to your conscience. On my journey I too could not bring myself to claim something I did not believe or practice. Of course there is still a great deal that I don’t understand in the Church’s teachings. But I can at least accept them because I DO that Christ founded teh Church and gave it authority bind and loose…whatever, and that we must be willing to “listen to the Church” and submit to her as to Christ.

Peace
James