Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?

[BartBurk]

Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I wonder how that impacts this discussion?

 

[BartBurk]

Either one of them is about as difficult as you make it. If Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light then neither of them should be difficult. The “rules” actually make life simpler. Just ask the Amish.

 

[newconvert56]

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

It took has been a long journey, I’m 54 and will be received into the CC at this Easter Vigil. If I don’t feel joy as I go into Mass, I always do by the time it is over. I can’t describe it, it is a quiet peaceful joy.

 

[BartBurk]

It took has been a long journey, I’m 54 and will be received into the CC at this Easter Vigil. If I don’t feel joy as I go into Mass, I always do by the time it is over. I can’t describe it, it is a quiet peaceful joy.

I’m with you. I was baptized five years ago and have attended Mass almost everyday since I came into the Church. I feel peace like you describe. My life would be less without it.

 

[Auriel]

Based purely on the rules, rituals, and all the guilt I see among my Catholic friends, I would assume being a Protestant is much easier.

 

[BartBurk]

Based purely on the rules, rituals, and all the guilt I see among my Catholic friends, I would assume being a Protestant is much easier.

If you don’t believe that rules, rituals and guilt exist in Protestantism you’ve never stood at an altar call in a Protestant Church. There is a reason people keep being saved over and over again in Evangelical circles and coming up to the altar. They call it “recommitting”, but it is essentially the same thing as confession.

 

[Auriel]

If you don’t believe that rules, rituals and guilt exist in Protestantism you’ve never stood at an altar call in a Protestant Church. There is a reason people keep being saved over and over again in Evangelical circles and coming up to the altar. They call it “recommitting”, but it is essentially the same thing as confession.

I was once forced to attend a Fundamentalist hell hole. But I still see all the Catholic rituals as much harder to keep.

As for me, I kept my belief in God, but dropped everything else.

 

[BartBurk]

I was once forced to attend a Fundamentalist hell hole. But I still see all the Catholic rituals as much harder to keep.

As for me, I kept my belief in God, but dropped everything else.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I’ve never thought it a great burden to attend mass for an hour on Sunday and Holy Days. Here are the five precepts of the Catholic Church:

1. The faithful are required to attend the celebration of the Eucharist every Lord's Day, Sunday or Saturday vigil, unless excused for a serious reason *. CCC #1388-9; 2042; 2180

1. The faithful are required to confess sins at least once a year. CCC #1457; 2042

1. The faithful are required to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season [but are encouraged to receive Christ in the Eucharist daily if possible]. CCC #1389; 2042

1. In addition to the Lord’s Day the faithful are required to keep all Holy Days of Obligation. CCC #2043; 2177; 2180; 2185; 2187-8; 2192-3

1. The faithful are required to observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence. CCC #1387; 1438; 2043 *

I don’t see any of the above as much of a burden. I don’t know what other rituals you might have in mind. It’s not very hard to attend mass for an hour every Sunday or on Holy Days of obligation. Confession is pretty easy and even fasting twice a year and abstaining from meat on Fridays during lent isn’t very tough.

It is hard to live a life without mortal sin, but then again that’s the kind of life a Christian is generally striving to live anyway. And when you mess up, it only takes a few minutes visiting anonymously with the priest to get back on the path again.

Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light. We’re the ones that make it seem hard.

 

[Auriel]

I suppose the difference would be in ones belief system.

If one does not believe in the rituals, or believe them to be part of their salvation, then naturally to follow them would be seen as more difficult. It would feel hallow.

Just as I imagine Catholicism, even with all it’s rules, would be easier for a catholic to follow if they believe it necessary for their salvation.

 

[rinnie]

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.

That is okay! God understands angry. It is not wrong to feel angry, But God can also take away anger and replace it with love.

You said the key word, on going!! Thats good, you are waiting for God’s time, You will not regret the reward that is to come at the end, No one will every understand your suffering like God can. So continue to give it up to him and let him heal you.

 

[BartBurk]

I suppose the difference would be in ones belief system.

If one does not believe in the rituals, or believe them to be part of their salvation, then naturally to follow them would be seen as more difficult. It would feel hallow.

Just as I imagine Catholicism, even with all it’s rules, would be easier for a catholic to follow if they believe it necessary for their salvation.

I guess it all comes down to whether or not you can accept that the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ. I’ve come to believe the Eucharist is what the Church has always taught it to be – the actual body and blood of Christ. That makes Mass the most solemn and wonderful experience on earth. If you just believe it to be bread and wine I guess I can see why you wouldn’t have the same experience that I do.

 

[rinnie]

I agree this is horrible and has greatly damaged the church.

The fact is that these priests that have caused this damage are human but it does not lessen the truth the Church teaches.

Even the fact that this abuse is less prevalent in the Catholic Church than others does not make it any easier.

There is no excuse for the abuse and cover up.

The only thing that I disagree with you on is that you imply the Vatican condoned it.

Hey we been there before. Even in the times of Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus and kissed him right on the Cheek. Jesus told us there will always be the devil working to tear down his Church. But Jesus also told us it ain’t gonna happen

 

[rinnie]

I guess it all comes down to whether or not you can accept that the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ. I’ve come to believe the Eucharist is what the Church has always taught it to be – the actual body and blood of Christ. That makes Mass the most solemn and wonderful experience on earth. If you just believe it to be bread and wine I guess I can see why you wouldn’t have the same experience that I do.

You have a very good point. I mean what is the purpose of going to Mass on Sunday if not for the Sacraments? How could Salvation come through the Catholic Church without Christ working through the Sacraments that he left us.

We go to the Church to Confess our sins, get married, receive Christ in the Eucharist, get Baptised, Receive the anointing of the Sick. receive confirmation, and for the Priest Holy Orders. I mean without the Sacraments how would we have the Living Christ.

 

[cooterhein]

I think it depends where you are in the world, and it depends on what kind of Catholic you are as well. Generally speaking, anyone’s going to have an easier time when their culture is generally supportive of their specific religious beliefs. So in the US, it’s generally easier to be a non-Catholic (although I also think it’s to the credit of American Protestants that it’s kind of a hard call to make). If you’re in Spain or Poland or Italy, however, it’s pretty tough being a Protestant.

On the other hand, there’s a division among Catholics that’s rather unique to you and not really true of Protestants. There’s the right kind of Catholic and there’s the wrong kind of Catholic. You know what I’m talking about. The wrong kind of Catholic was baptized Catholic as a baby, followed by a cafeteria approach to Catholicism and a general approach to Christianity where it’s not taken seriously. That’s the easiest thing you can possibly do, and you see a lot of Catholics on CAF taking a stand for the right kind of Catholicism. There’s more of a challenge to that- it draws criticism if your culture isn’t predominantly Catholic, and on top of that, being a good Catholic can get in the way of being a good Christian. On that last point, I think Catholics face a greater challenge than most Protestants do.

As far as being a good Christian, I think it’s easier to do that as a good Protestant as opposed to a good Catholic. Easiest of all is when you’re the wrong kind of Catholic, but that has nothing to do with being a good Christian- and complete failure does have a tendency to be the path of least resistance. That path belongs to the people who just stop trying, and while that does happen on both sides, we generally stop referring to people as Protestants when they haven’t shown up to church in several years whereas it’s quite feasible for the wrong kind of Catholic to stop attending Mass and stop believing most Catholic teaching but still be regarded as Catholic. Especially in a country where everyone is Catholic, regardless of whether they’re practicing or not. (Mexico and Italy come to mind as places where the wrong kind of Catholic outnumbers the right kind. Places like Poland, not so much).

 

[icamay]

I suppose the difference would be in ones belief system.

If one does not believe in the rituals, or believe them to be part of their salvation, then naturally to follow them would be seen as more difficult. It would feel hallow.

Just as I imagine Catholicism, even with all it’s rules, would be easier for a catholic to follow if they believe it necessary for their salvation.

I get sad when I hear people say that they attend church for their salvation. I attend out of honor and praise. God has blessed my life so much, the least I can give Him is an hour a week of undivided attention.

 

[guanophore]

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.

I don’t know how familiar you are with the Scriptures, but I think you will find such a position is not supported by them.

It damages all involved often beyond repair,

This is certainly true from a worldly point of view, but not from God’s . There is no damage that He cannot repair. He only allows suffering so that greater good can come from it. Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, what God has in store for those who love him.

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 am sure there are many - possibly a majority. I used to be one of them.

However, this again is a perspective from the fallen nature of man, not from God’s point of view. He loves every soul He creates, and has a plan for their lives from the moment they are conceived.

If you do read your bible, I encourage you to go to Genesis and read the story of Joseph and his brothers. He was rejected by them, and sold into Egypt. God used this rejection to save not only his whole family, but a whole nation. This is God’s perspective on what He can do when we are rejected by our families and have unhappy lives.

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

This is true in the temporal realm, of course, but not the spiritual. In the spiritual realm, we are to “bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the Law of Christ”. Our redemption as persons is found in loving one another, even in the midst of great suffering. Suffering is the path by which we are purified and fit for heaven. So, euthanasia robs people of their ticket to heaven, by avoiding the suffering that will perfect them for it.

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.

This is not a bad place to be. God can move you a lot quicker in your discontent than He can in your complacency.

I would love to attend daily Mass. That is not something you will find in the Episcopal or Lutheran churches, for example.

There is nothing stopping you! Go to daily Mass. If you cannot attend, tune into EWTN or Catholic Radio.

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 am sure that God has an even better plan. Where He guides, He provides.

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 will pray for you too, as you are clearly in the grip of the culture of death that the Holy Father warned us about. You are right, only God can change your mind. At least, only He could change mine,when I believed as you do now.

 

[guanophore]

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.

This is an interesting point of view, and sparks several responses for me.

1. 
   *]The devil is lying to you
   *]Church is for Christians, and people with non-christian beliefs don’t belong
   *]Church is established by God, and those who belong it it are so because of His grace and requirements, not their own
   
   Perhaps you are going about this from the wrong perspective. You seem to have evaluated yourself, and concluded that there is no church where you belong.
   
   What would happen if you evaluated what God is calling you to do, and belong where He commands, instead of where you feel most comfortable?
   
   In the spirit of the thread, I don’t think that following God’s will always feels safe and comfortable. Especially when God is calling us to change, it is not likely that it will be comfortable. Leaving the familiar (our way of doing and thinking) is always somewhat awkward.
   

   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.

   Yes, it is amazing what childhood trauma can do to a person. Even still, it is nothing God cannot heal and use to the greater good, if you let him.
   
   It is ok to feel angry. There is a lot of anger to get through in the process of healing. Avoiding the anger will not facilitiate healing. So go to Mass, get angry, and let God work it through in you.
   

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

   We each get what we need. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning! You will have to do your grief work before you can enter into joy Especially during this Lenten season, much grace is available to you to join your sufferings to Christ, so they can be healed.

 

[pismopal]

I have been both catholic 28 years and a born again Christian 21 years. Being Catholic is far more work and uncertainty than being a BAC. IMO there are all the man made laws and traditions that are not in the bible. Catholics are never secure in their salvation and have no eternal security which the bible states for those who are called by God for His purpose. You are always worried you will be good enough or have enough good works to enter heaven. As a BAC I have rest in Christ and His finished work on the cross alone as in Heb 4:9-11tells us. Heb 4:9-11There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

It‘s the freedom to live by faith and trust His grace. God is not just waiting to see if you are not good enough. He has called us and adopted us as sons and heirs with Christ. His Spirit bears witness with our spirit we are His.

It is necessary for someone outside the Church to believe that the Church has no authority since a person who belongs to a non Catholic sect is part of a gathering which has no authority. One cannot make a reality with belief…neither you nor I but Saint Paul worked out his salvation “in fear and trembling” and I see no reason for me to do otherwise. Doing the Father’s will was Christ’s formula for salvation and He further noted that not everyone who cries “Lord ,Lord”…will be saved. That does not sound to me like an instruction to go to a revival meeting…have an emotional episode and then to coast through life with no other credentials than a feeling that I am “born again”. Christ’s work is indeed finished but I am still at it and I am sorry that you don’t see the need. Yep…being Catholic is harder but didn’t someone say that nothing worthwhile is ever easy?

 

[rinnie]

This is an interesting point of view, and sparks several responses for me.

1. 
   *]The devil is lying to you
   *]Church is for Christians, and people with non-christian beliefs don’t belong
   *]Church is established by God, and those who belong it it are so because of His grace and requirements, not their own
   
   Perhaps you are going about this from the wrong perspective. You seem to have evaluated yourself, and concluded that there is no church where you belong.
   
   What would happen if you evaluated what God is calling you to do, and belong where He commands, instead of where you feel most comfortable?
   
   In the spirit of the thread, I don’t think that following God’s will always feels safe and comfortable. Especially when God is calling us to change, it is not likely that it will be comfortable. Leaving the familiar (our way of doing and thinking) is always somewhat awkward.
   
   Yes, it is amazing what childhood trauma can do to a person. Even still, it is nothing God cannot heal and use to the greater good, if you let him.
   
   It is ok to feel angry. There is a lot of anger to get through in the process of healing. Avoiding the anger will not facilitiate healing. So go to Mass, get angry, and let God work it through in you.
   
   We each get what we need. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning! You will have to do your grief work before you can enter into joy Especially during this Lenten season, much grace is available to you to join your sufferings to Christ, so they can be healed.

1. 
   Wow on top of your game today my Dear. You just hit such a nerve not only in ME but HOPE in everyone.
   
   When you said God is asking YOU to Change!! Is that not a mouthful!!! How many of us will not accept that call to change and think it would be a heck of alot easier to CHANGE GOD!!
   
   Because that is what we all try to do when we refuse to accept that change he is trying to make in us.
   
   And when ya all think about it does any change ever happen without some kind of SUFFERING!!!
   
   Good point my Dear!! Best point I have heard ALL YEAR!!
   
   Yes we should embrace our fears, our sufferings, our hurts, our loses because when the suffering is over a Gift beyond any imagination is waiting for us. Happiness beyond belief! Yes that is how the GOOD LORD WORKS!!

 

[FlthdLutheran]

I was raised Catholic and joined a lutheran church at age forty two. First of all the liturgy in a tradiional lutheran service is very similar to a catholic Mass. For anybody to suggest that Lutherans or methodist are any less faithfull is absurd. Some of the remarks I hear from catholic family members is shocking. How judgemental do not remark about the splinter in anothers eye when you have a beam in your own.