Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?

[cooterhein]

But I have been angry for over 40 years. It does not go away. I can go to church for years at a time and I am still angry. Maybe I should just accept the fact that is is probably more of a mental problem.

I’m sorry it’s not working out for you. There’s a lot of options besides Catholic and Episcopal, though. Poke around here and other places to see if there’s something that can work really well. Try to progress to where you can forgive the person/people who hurt you in the past. Maybe you won’t be able to see them as brethren, but I hope you don’t ice out all Catholics because of a few. A billion people didn’t do anything to make you angry at them, so don’t be. At them, anyway.

 

[JRKH]

Actually you all have been of help here with me thinking this through. No one in the Catholic Church is going to give a spiritual director to someone who has not been a Roman Catholic in 40 years. I don’t belong to a parish and the Chancery is not going to deal with me. I think I am technically excommunicated if they looked at my life history. I would have a long way to go before anyone would work with me.

I’m glad that we are bing of some help.
As to a Spiritual Director, you might be surprised. It’s at least worth asking…Like the previous poster said, Christ did not come for the benefit of the healthy but for those who are sick.

I am just trying to understand why and I have come a long way this morning. Thanks to everyone that threw an idea or information my way. I really do appreciate it.

You are welcome for the information and glad you are making headway.
If there are things you’d like to discuss privately I, am I’m sure others here would be willing to listen…

Peace
James

 

[guanophore]

Okay. So you think I am too far gone and should give up. But I do thank you for talking to me and answering some questions. Most Roman Catholics will not even go that far with me.

How does it help you to make someone else responsible for your own spiritual disobedience?

What you are describing is the sin of despair, into which Judas fell.

Amen I say to you there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still. (Corrie Ten Boom).

God’s arm is not too short to save, and He desires not the death of any sinner.

If you have decided to turn your back on Him, it is not because you are “too far gone” for Him to save you, but your stubborn refusal to throw yourself upon His mercy.

 

[guanophore]

But what if it is not refusal to forgive?

There are many varieties of blocks to spiritual progress, resentment being only one.

What if you want to forgive but can’t? All you seem to do is forget for a while and then it crops back up? How do you forgive?

Forgiveness is an act of the will. One chooses that one must forgive so that one might be forgiven by God. One chooses so that one’s own prayers are not hindered, and one will not fall into the sin of despair.

Often people are misled on this issue by following feelings. It is only natural for us to be hurt and angry when we are wronged. Feeling hurt and angry does not prevent forgiveness.

When the painful memories come back it is an opportunity to forgive again, and pray for those who did the injury. I admit, sometimes this takes many years, and often when you think it is all resolved, it rears it’s ugly head again. But, it is a spiritual exercise to forgive and to pray for one’s persecutors. God is greater than the hurt and anger.

 

[guanophore]

So correct me if I am wrong here. You have to have a degree of bind faith to accept the teachings of the church.

No, our faith is not “blind”. Just because there are things we don’t understand does not make us “blind”. It is important, though, to study your faith, so that you are not ignorant. Some of the things you have said in your posts leave me thinking that you dont know your faith very well. One must read the scriptures daily, and also the catechism. Start with the daily Mass readings so that you can be in unity with the whole Church. They are available in many ways online, ipod, or you can get a missal from the Church.

If you are going to be successful accepting the Teachings, then you need to know what they are!

Because there are things I cannot get my little brain around I do not have the degree of blind faith needed to be a good Roman Catholic.

This is absurd. There are many things in the faith that are a mystery. We cannot possibly wrap our brains around divine mysteries. The fact that God’s ways are far above our ways does not make us blind either.

And that pretty much sums it up, I don’t have the faith, but I am instead relying on my own reasoning. Yes, I have heard this before.

Well.

Are you ready to do something about it?

You have to pray for faith.  It is a gift.  At one time I thought I had it but I was mistaken, and now I am missing that.

Yes and no. You have been given the virtue of faith, but it is up to you to nurture it. One of the things that we control that destroys faith is living in sin. If we persist in sin and are rebellious then we will kill the gift of faith that was given to us in baptism.

So for one reason or another, whether it be pride, hurt, stubbornness, or some other fault of my own, I was never really given this gift.

more absurdities, kath. If it is a free gift, there is NO FAULT of ours that can prevent us from getting it. Otherwise, it is not a free gift. It cannot be earned.

It is probably true, though, that through pride, hurt, stubborness or some other fault that you have rejected the gift. You have until this life is over to get reconciled to God.

I am not worthy of it.

You are right there!

None of us are worthy of the gifts of God. If we all got what we deserved, we would all burn in the pit.

Titus 3:3-5
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

If I really wanted it I would get over myself. I think I am starting to understand it better.

Maybe you are.

 

[guanophore]

Actually you all have been of help here with me thinking this through. No one in the Catholic Church is going to give a spiritual director to someone who has not been a Roman Catholic in 40 years.

What makes you think that?

Besides, the Church teaches that once you are baptized a Roman Catholic, it is permanent. So, whether you have been lapsed for 40 years or not, you are still Roman Catholic.

I don’t belong to a parish and the Chancery is not going to deal with me.

This method is called making negative assumptions. It is one of the things we do to keep ourselves stuck. We make all kinds of assumptions about why a course of action is not going to work until we talk ourselves right out of trying. I will be blunt. It comes right out of the Pit!

You do belong to a parish. You are automatically assumed to be served by the parish in which you live.

I cannot fathom why you think the Chancery is not going to deal with you, but I dare you to prove it.

I think I am technically excommunicated if they looked at my life history.

It is possible. The best thing to do is to meet with the priest, and talk about how to make a good confession. He will instruct you. I also recommend that you go prepared by an examination of conscience. You can find one easy by searching the internet. Get a journal and start making some notes, then take what you have written when you meet with the priest.

I would have a long way to go before anyone would work with me.

No, kath, it is the other way around. You will still have a long way to go AFTER they work with you.

Reconciliation is the start.

I am just trying to understand why and I have come a long way this morning. Thanks to everyone that threw an idea or information my way. I really do appreciate it.

You will be in our prayers as well.

 

[newconvert56]

I do thank everyone for their kindness and suggestions. This is not a new situation I am in, it is ongoing. One of you suggested that I may not be a Christian and that is what I have come to accept lately, that I am a loving , kind, caring person to all I meet but that is where I stop.

I am new at this forum and at being a Catholic, but I don’t think you would be here at CAF if that was true. Many wise people here giving good advice. I hate to sound like our former president, but I really can feel the pain in your posts. Forgiveness is very, very hard. The tragedies in my life (having an infant son (3 1/2 months old) who died from a congenital terminal condition and my oldest son being diagnosed as an adult with a severe mental illness) have made me search my soul about religion, faith and where I belong. I blamed myself and probably God for what happened, but I know neither of those was the answer. Sometimes we use blame when that isn’t the question or the answer.

Your situation of abuse is different though, if someone abused one of my children it would take everything I have to forgive them, and honestly, I just pray that I COULD reach that point.

Keep asking questions, I don’t believe God gives up on any of us, EVER.

 

[WTSherman]

It is easier to be Protestant of course, as with Henry and Martin Luther, you can just change your religion and conviction in order to suit your lifestyle. (Instead of endeavoring to match your lifestyle to meet your conscience)

 

[manualman]

Define “Easy!”

From a theoretical perspective, obviously protestantism is easier! In protestantism (generally, always a dangerous word), salvation is a single event and the righteousness of Christ covers over your sins like a clean cloak. Slam, Bam, Done! God looks at you the moment after conversion and doesn’t see any sin, but only sees the righteousness of Christ the covers you.

In catholicism, the conversion takes a lifetime. We don’t believe that Jesus offers us a mere covering for our sin or a legal loophole to escape through, but a thorough cleansing and sanctification of our very being. This is accomplished via Grace, but we have to cooperate throughout a lifetime (and maybe for a while beyond).

I’d call that a LOT harder than the protestant version. But then, I would hope you don’t make life choices based on what’s EASIER. Do what’s right.

 

[JonNC]

It is easier to be Protestant of course, as with Henry and Martin Luther, you can just change your religion and conviction in order to suit your lifestyle. (Instead of endeavoring to match your lifestyle to meet your conscience)

So, you are under the impression that Luther thought it was easy to be excommunicated, or easy to have to hide for his life? Your comment just seems so simplistic, and frankly, edges judgemental. I can think of no current Catholic theologian that take your position regarding Luther and his conviction.

Jon

 

[Nicea325]

So, you are under the impression that Luther thought it was easy to be excommunicated, or easy to have to hide for his life? You comment just seems so simplistic, and frankly, edges judgemental. I can think of no current Catholic theologian that take your position regarding Luther and his conviction.

Jon

Blessings Jon!

I do not think it is a matter of which is easier. More important, what I acknowledge today from many Catholics and Protestants is the attitude, God has to conform to us when we all know it we who need to conform to His ways…

 

[JonNC]

Blessings Jon!

I do not think it is a matter of which is easier. More important, what I acknowledge today from many Catholics and Protestants is the attitude, God has to conform to us when we all know it we who need to conform to His ways…

I absolutely agree!! One of the things all of us might want to contemplate is, how can it be easy for any of us to continue to hold His Church in division? It shouldn’t be.

Jon

 

[pismopal]

But I have been angry for over 40 years. It does not go away. I can go to church for years at a time and I am still angry. Maybe I should just accept the fact that is is probably more of a mental problem.

Forgive your parents for being flawed and get on with your life determined to be happy without anger. If you don’t dump the anger it will only hurt you. Who is going to if you don’t?

 

[Nicea325]

I absolutely agree!! One of the things all of us might want to contemplate is, how can it be easy for any of us to continue to hold His Church in division? It shouldn’t be.

Jon

Amen Jon! Division is always a tough hurdle to overcome…uch:

 

[kathmandu]

What makes you think that?

Besides, the Church teaches that once you are baptized a Roman Catholic, it is permanent. So, whether you have been lapsed for 40 years or not, you are still Roman Catholic.

This method is called making negative assumptions. It is one of the things we do to keep ourselves stuck. We make all kinds of assumptions about why a course of action is not going to work until we talk ourselves right out of trying. I will be blunt. It comes right out of the Pit!

You do belong to a parish. You are automatically assumed to be served by the parish in which you live.

I cannot fathom why you think the Chancery is not going to deal with you, but I dare you to prove it.

It is possible. The best thing to do is to meet with the priest, and talk about how to make a good confession. He will instruct you. I also recommend that you go prepared by an examination of conscience. You can find one easy by searching the internet. Get a journal and start making some notes, then take what you have written when you meet with the priest.

No, kath, it is the other way around. You will still have a long way to go AFTER they work with you.

Reconciliation is the start.

You will be in our prayers as well.

So I guess my questions are answered here. I have come to realize that in order to be part of any organization you have to follow the rules. Obviously in order to be an successful Roman Catholic you have to follow the rules of Roman Catholicism. If you don’t follow the rules you will never have the faith. And as far as being a Roman Catholic I don’t have the faith. I may know much about the religion, but that faith is not mine.

I am an Episcopalian after all. If I want to be in a church on Sundays that is where I belong. Thank you all for your prayers.

 

[guanophore]

So I guess my questions are answered here.  I have come to realize that in order to be part of any organization you have to follow the rules.  Obviously in order to be an successful Roman Catholic you have to follow the rules of Roman Catholicism.  If you don't follow the rules you will never have the faith.

While I don’t disagree with this, I think you have it backwards to an extent. It is faith that enables us to follow the rules. We are saved by grace (a free gift) by faith, and not of ourselves, lest any man can boast. We can’t be saved by “following rules”. We are only saved by being in right relationship with our Savior, Jesus.

1 John 5:1-5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.

The reason that the rules are not hard to follow is because we are children of God.

And as far as being a Roman Catholic I don’t have the faith. I may know much about the religion, but that faith is not mine.

Sin extinguishes faith and grace from the soul. The longer we are willful and refuse to repent, the more likely our conscience will be seared, as with a hot iron. I don’t know if you have every been seared, but you might know it produces scars, and the tissue is never the same.

I am an Episcopalian after all. If I want to be in a church on Sundays that is where I belong. Thank you all for your prayers.

You are welcome, kath. You will remain in my prayers.

 

[Bill_Pick]

I see you’re in Bob Jones country. Must be interesting being catholic there!

*s **ob Jones still ant-cathloic ***

 

[jdarc]

Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?​

John 6
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. [53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. [55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.

[66] And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.

[67] After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him. [68] Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away? [69] And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. [70] And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

 

[manualman]

So I guess my questions are answered here. I have come to realize that in order to be part of any organization you have to follow the rules. Obviously in order to be an successful Roman Catholic you have to follow the rules of Roman Catholicism. If you don’t follow the rules you will never have the faith.

Depends on how you view rules. If you see them as arbitrary decrees of things God has decided for inscrutable reasons that “thou shalt not do” then the ‘rules’ of catholicism can often indeed by daunting, confusing and perhaps depressing. If instead you believe that God, out of love for his people, has revealed to us a great deal of truth about Himself and his character and that the ‘rules’ are actually tidbits of wisdom that help us avoid pitfalls and draw us closer to understanding the God we love, then rules take on a VERY different look. Sins aren’t just things on an arbitrary list. Sins are things that inherently harm our ability to give and receive love. Virtues are things that inherently build that capability up. Hard rules take on a whole new look when you view them from that perspective.

 

[Catherine_k]

I dont know if it truly matters which is easier…
Faith requires a leap… and faith can involve challenges.
Catholicism does have serious expecations and accountability for one’s actions… but many of my Protestant friends also believe they are held accountable for their actions.

Recently I’ve read some of Dietrich Boenhoeffer’s biography: His devout faith led him to actions (in order to be accountable to his faith) that led directly to his involvement (and recruitment of others to) in the July 20th plot against Hitler. Bishops von Galen, von Faulhaber, von Preysings and Frings stood strongly against Hitler as well. Priests and Religious risked their lives in obedience to their faith…