Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?

[Cat]

Being a former evangelical, and afterwards becoming an atheist, in my spiritual search I cared litlle for what was easier.

I wanted that which was true. And if it wasn’t true I didn’t want it. What is true is hardly ever that which is the easiest.

In reality we should want that which is true no matter how easy or hard it is. If it is true we should desire it even if it gives us no help or benefit at all.

This is absolutely right.

My husband and I were just talking about this last night. We became Catholic AFTER I had entered menopause and after he had undergone vasectomy (many years ago). So the contraception vs. NFP was never an issue for us. We can have sex anytime we please without a realistic possibility of a pregnancy, and we do. Yes, we’re open to life–it COULD happen, even at our age and with my husband’s condition. But it’s highly unlikely.

But what would have happened if we had become Catholic in our 30s? We had our two daughters when I was 26 and 29. We originally wanted more children, but having the two proved exhausting for me. I gained a lot of weight and a pregnancy would have been dangerous without losing the weight first. Also, by the time they were 3 and 5, both of our children were seriously involved in figure skating, an expensive sport–we were pushing it to have two daughters involved and once they were both in school, I went back to work full-time to pay for the skating. We never could have afforded to have three children in the sport–or what if the third child was not interested in figure skating (that would have meant that he/she was an alien child switched for our real child).

My husband said that we would have made the decision to go with the truth, even if it meant giving up figure skating and my losing weight and my quitting working (because I would have refused to work with a baby–I think that’s a very bad idea, especially if you’re breast-feeding).

He’s right of course, just as you are in your post. We should seek the truth, no matter how easy or hard it is.

But the consequences, IMO, are greater for me than for my husband. After all, I’m the one who has to lose the weight. I’m the one who has to be pregnant. I’m the one who has to give up the job and money. And I’m the one who has to breast-feed and get up at night with a young baby (and believe me, I am NOT capable of going without sleep and never have been capable of it–I get very surly and sick to my stomach).

So what would I have said back then?

I believe that I would have wimped out and said, “No Catholicism without condoms.” Or what I probabably would have done is give NFP a good, solid try and as long as it worked, I would have been fine. I did have extremely regular cycles and I was able to read my cycle well and predict the exact day and even hour of ovulation, as well as the start of my period. So perhaps I would have been one of the fortunate women for whom NFP actually works.

But once NFP didn’t work and I got pregnant, that would have been the end of NFP. I would have insisted that we use “protection” because I don’t happen to believe that giving up sex is a good option for any couples, including Catholic couples.

So frankly, I’m glad that we became Catholic after sex and pregnancy was a non-issue.

I think that in the U.S., most of us have become corrupt in our viewpoint of sex and marriage. Many of us, especially those from evangelical Protestant backgrounds, have absolutely no concept of “openness to life.” Many of us have been taught all our lives that it is not only OK, but the responsible thing to do to limit our families to a size that we can adequately support financially and emotionally. And most of us have been taught that sex is between a husband and wife and should be something that is given often. The idea of associating sex with fertility is totally foreign to most of us, and it’s very hard to accept these teachings of the Church in the modern U.S., where there are virtually no support structures for large families, and where much is arrayed against large families and makes it very expensive to have many children (e.g., the car seat/booster seat laws).

It’s very interesting to see in modern society that there are other “body” issues that we have corrupted. We don’t seem to be equating actions with consequences in this day and age. E.g., we eat huge amounts of sugary/salty/fatty food and somehow don’t seem to realize that this is making us gain weight. We eat constantly–it’s hard to believe that there was a time when restaurants were not open all the time–nowadays, we can literally eat all day. Also, there was a time when people didn’t eat between meals, except for young children who needed snacks to “grow properly.” (But those snacks were apples and raisins, not chips and pop-tarts. And no one drank soda all the time.)

Same for exercise. We do nothing, and get out of shape.

We’ve somehow managed to divorce the action–eating too much and being inactive–from the consequence, just as we have stopped associating sex with fertility.

There are other examples. IN the U.S., people continue to drink alcohol and drive cars.

Many Americans continue to live on a sleep deficit. We refuse to accept the association of sleep with health, and instead, we deny our bodies the sleep it needs, insisting that we’re doing fine without sleep.

What we do is we use a chemical solution to be able to do what we want to do and skip the consequences. With sex, it’s birth control. With sleep, it’s stimulants (e.g., caffeine).

We’re really a messed-up society, aren’t we?

I wonder if all this lack of associating actions with consequences started back when we stopped associating sex with pregnancy?

 

[tvdxer]

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 think it depends what brand of Protestantism you adhere to (for example, Universalism or conservative no-drinking-or-dancing Pentecostalism?), but in general, Catholicism is a much more rigorous path than most Protestant denominations. For example:

• The hardest part of Catholicism, in my opinion, is the lack of assurance of salvation. This extends beyond obviously grave offenses (abortion, murder, blasphemy etc.) to things considered trifling to moderns. The Church teaches that all kinds of actions and even thoughts, several of them routine in many or most peoples’ lives, are capable of sending an individual to hell. The most rigorous of them is the church’s traditional teaching that there is no parvity of matter in the sixth commandment; this means that the ultimate penalty for almost all sexual offenses, if one knows this is the teaching and fully consents to it, is hell. One fantasy wantonly indulged, one pornographic video watched, one instance of masturbation, one Sunday Mass missed for no valid reason can send a person to hell if they do not seek confession and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit that sin again.
• The most openly counter-cultural aspect today of Catholicism is probably its universal prohibition of contraception. Few Protestant churches today teach the same, and no major one does to my knowledge; some even advocate for increased education and access to contraceptive methods! Of course, the percentage of Catholics who follow this teaching is small, but those who disagree with the magisterium in this matter are not considered to be good Catholics. For those who do, it often entails radical lifestyle changes once marriage is contracted.
• Most Catholic clergymen are not permitted to be married; the sense of tradition is that most of the saved do not attain heaven immediately but instead receive temporal punishment in purgatory; Catholics are not allowed to divorce and re-marry, and remarriages are condemned by the church; the liturgy is fixed, universal, and not open to much interpretation (causing many to see masses as “dull” and “boring”); even entertaining serious doubts about Catholic dogma is grounds for mortal sin; etc., etc.

With all this in mind, being a good Catholic is, and has always been, difficult, though not impossible. It requires a person to make many sacrifices they wouldn’t otherwise have to. It sometimes even causes a person to lose some of their respect in their social relations (e.g. comments about large families). Being a good Christian by the standards of most brands of Protestantism is much easier (though not necessarily easy) than being a good Catholic. The severity of the original Protestant “reformers” and their followers - which many times exceeded the rigor of the Church itself - is surprising in this light, but what is not fixed is changeable.

But Christ himself said the narrow way leads to salvation…

 

[Roy5]

To risk repeating what others (and I) have said:

It depends upon what sort of Catholic or Protestant you are.

Most Catholics I know tend to take the Church in stride without fretting too much about following its teachings closely. Many don't even know its teachings. One Catholic I know quite well said that his Italian-heritage family treats Catholicism as a cultural thing, and they don't worry about rules re birth control etc. They get to mass most weekends, skip meat Fridays during Lent, but little else. Their kids go to public schools (one family to a Protestant-founded prep school), to Protestant-founded and now secular colleges (including Yale and Princeton, smart kids), etc. They are told at a young age that Catholicism isn't to be taken too seriously, that much of it is traditional liturgy that is more symbolic than literal. The majority of their kids all but ignore the church when they become young adults, though some return for their weddings and baptisms. Others become thoroughly secular. A few become mainline Protestants, often because of such issues as the ordination of women and their rejection of certain key Catholic doctrines. 

Most Protestants I know tend to be similar - liberal thinkers. They consider themselves Protestant in large measure because they feel that gives them the freedom to think more-or-less as they please. They will discuss and debate religious matters at the drop of a hat without animus, except where Catholicism, fundamentalist Protestantism, and rigid Islam are concerned. They are strongly critical of any religion that they feel disallows them freedom of thought, that insist upon conformity when it comes to doctrine and such.

The strictest (and hardest?) religion I find to be fundamentalist Protestantism, the sort that views alcohol, tobacco, the lottery, even fund-raising bingo, as well as most Sunday recreation as sinful. They are in many ways like Orthodox Jews with a different set of 'do nots'. Often they insist upon modest dress, abhor most popular music, sometimes home school their children, usually embrace a very conservative political and social outlook, feel the world is on its weay to hell, and so on. There are millions of them, especially in the South, and they include many Southern Baptists and Pentecostalists. In a curious way, while they agree with Catholicism on such major issues as abortion and same-sex marriage they are likely suspicious of Catholicism because it contrasts so sharply with their non-liturgical, evangelical worship style. They have become accustomed to thinking oif Catholicism as embracing many beliefs and practices not found in scripture.

 I presume the 'best Catholics' are monks and nuns, though many here on CAF endorse traditional Catholicism with a certainty I find rare among lay Catholics in this area.

 

[kathmandu]

But I also believe that different religions appeal to different people. Some like a formal liturgy. Others like to clap their hands and shout 'hallelujah'. Some want a church that claims to be the one true church. Others want a church where various views are accepted.

God bless them all. I'm troubled when I read intolerant statements here on CAF. Why do Christians have to be so verbally nasty to other Christians? Seems like a contradiction in terms to me.

I could not have put either of these statements any better myself. Many people remain hard-core Roman Catholics because they have to be right. And if they claim theirs in the one true church, that serves their emotional and mental needs.

I was raised by a man who was Mr. Always Right and a Roman Catholic Deacon. He had to be correct in all things, and so did his religion. Any questions or contradictions where frightening and threatening to him. But he had me as a daughter who was always questioning and looking for deeper meaning. Needless to say was not a favored child.

The verbally nasty part is the worst. Very disrespectful to others, I would guess because they feel superior. After all. they have the truth. This nastiness turns many away because it is so mean spirited. That is not how Christ was ever perceived to be. He was kind and loving to all. How did these folks stray from that attitude when they claim to be followers of Christ?

Thus, it is so much more spiritual fulfilling to be an Episcopalian. It is not a matter of what is easier or harder, it is what brings you closer to God.

 

[xcitingtimes]

Wow, interesting thread. I must say that I don’t know how Catholicism is in the USA, but since I live in Italy, the Roman Catholic Church seems very different than what some people have posted. I’m American, but my wife is Italian and a Roman Catholic.

As a “Bible believing” Christian, I believe Catholics would classify me as a Protestant. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I do NOT believe that Mary is the Mother of God, nor the Queen of Heaven, nor Co-Redemptrix, nor born without sin. She was a sinner like all of us and in need of a Savior like all of us as we learn in Scripture. I believe that there is only one God, and that praying to anyone else is a form of worship. Therefore, praying to Mary, the “saints”, popes and priests is idol worship, and we’re taught not to do this in the Bible although the Catholic catechism removed that part from the Ten Commandments.

To answer the original poster’s question, I’d say it’s much easier to be a Catholic because you simply have to do whatever the priest tells you without having to know for yourself whether what he’s telling you to do is Biblical or not. And if you don’t follow what he says, you simply ask the priest forgiveness. If you want a divorce and get married in church again, all you have to do is pay the priest and he’ll make it all right. Again, I don’t know about the USA, but that is how it is here in Italy.

While for us Bible believers, we must know and study the Bible for ourselves, which definitely requires more effort and true desire to want to follow Jesus’ teachings. However, since we do know that we’re saved by the grace of God (since we read the Bible) and not by our works (since there’s nothing we can do to “earn” our salvation), maybe the lack of stress in this regard makes “Protestantism” look easy.

Some people have equated Protestants with being liberals or “free thinkers”, but this isn’t a valid classification. Historically, Protestants have been persecuted for following Christ instead of the Pope. Nowadays, some popular “protestant” churches might be considered liberal or relaxed (meaning that certain hot topics might not be discussed), but that can’t be used as an overall generalization of protestants or non-Catholics and it doesn’t meant that the same thing doesn’t occur in the Catholic church. As previously stated, Catholics have a “get out of jail free” pass since they can ask the priest forgiveness to live their lives as sinful as they want. A genuine Bible believing Christian lives life consciously trying to avoid sin and according to the Word of God.

I remember meeting one of my wife’s Catholic school teachers (a nun) and after telling her that I’m Protestant, she said “Oh, so you actually read the Bible” and complained that Catholics didn’t. I thought her response was very interesting considering that there are very few Protestants in Italy and that was what came to her mind about Protestants.

Regarding the OPs question, I think the real question should be: Why does a religion have to be “hard” in order to be true? If someone is looking for a “hard” or strict religion, they can look to Islam, but that doesn’t make Islam true. Furthermore, just because the Catholic church has a many traditions/rituals that Catholics must supposedly follow/perform in order to go to Heaven doesn’t make Catholicism true. The Truth only comes from studying the Word of God provided to us in the Holy Bible. Period. Perhaps Catholics are not encouraged to read the Bible because it would make them question the Roman Catholic Church?

The issue that Catholics bring up about the un-organization of the “protestant” church is also nonsense. Jesus wants His followers to spread His message of salvation, and we are supposed to have fellowship. He doesn’t want an “organized” religion with a hierarchy of men (each one more powerful than the other), mixed with pagan rituals, symbols, and traditions, in order to murder and oppress non-Catholics, to sell forgiveness of sins and salvation, and to make up new doctrine like purgatory and divineness of Mary along the way. I can’t find the verse where Jesus says to bow down and kiss the hands of priests and pray to Mary for help.

In conclusion, being a Bible believing Christian (ie: a “Protestant”) means that you must stand firm on the Word of God against attacks by so-called Christians (and non-Christians) that are trying to persuade you to not believe in what the Bible teaches, and as a minority religion in this world without a globally visible representative and financial backer, it is definitely more difficult being a “Protestant.”

 

[john_aurelius]

I think if a person is a true disciple of Jesus in their personal life then they should end up the same.

Catholic believe that it takes more than faith to justify a person. That is because they are infused with grace and finally become righteous like Abraham.

Protestants believe this justification is a reckoning of righteousness, declared righteous and then engage in a process of sanctification throughout their lives until they become really just like Abraham

either way, a true representation of either branch would include God’s friendship with Abraham because God liked him and chose him.

Whichever theological interpretation you have you end up believing that it all depends on God and acting as if it depends on yourself.

Faith and fruit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, love of thy neighbour and untimately of God so much the church has to declare you a saint…:getholy:

chosen to be holy, catholic or protestant

 

[PiousTemplar]

Wow, interesting thread. I must say that I don’t know how Catholicism is in the USA, but since I live in Italy, the Roman Catholic Church seems very different than what some people have posted. I’m American, but my wife is Italian and a Roman Catholic.

As a “Bible believing” Christian, I believe Catholics would classify me as a Protestant. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I do NOT believe that Mary is the Mother of God, nor the Queen of Heaven, nor Co-Redemptrix, nor born without sin. She was a sinner like all of us and in need of a Savior like all of us as we learn in Scripture. I believe that there is only one God, and that praying to anyone else is a form of worship. Therefore, praying to Mary, the “saints”, popes and priests is idol worship, and we’re taught not to do this in the Bible although the Catholic catechism removed that part from the Ten Commandments.

To answer the original poster’s question, I’d say it’s much easier to be a Catholic because you simply have to do whatever the priest tells you without having to know for yourself whether what he’s telling you to do is Biblical or not. And if you don’t follow what he says, you simply ask the priest forgiveness. If you want a divorce and get married in church again, all you have to do is pay the priest and he’ll make it all right. Again, I don’t know about the USA, but that is how it is here in Italy.

While for us Bible believers, we must know and study the Bible for ourselves, which definitely requires more effort and true desire to want to follow Jesus’ teachings. However, since we do know that we’re saved by the grace of God (since we read the Bible) and not by our works (since there’s nothing we can do to “earn” our salvation), maybe the lack of stress in this regard makes “Protestantism” look easy.

Some people have equated Protestants with being liberals or “free thinkers”, but this isn’t a valid classification. Historically, Protestants have been persecuted for following Christ instead of the Pope. Nowadays, some popular “protestant” churches might be considered liberal or relaxed (meaning that certain hot topics might not be discussed), but that can’t be used as an overall generalization of protestants or non-Catholics and it doesn’t meant that the same thing doesn’t occur in the Catholic church. As previously stated, Catholics have a “get out of jail free” pass since they can ask the priest forgiveness to live their lives as sinful as they want. A genuine Bible believing Christian lives life consciously trying to avoid sin and according to the Word of God.

I remember meeting one of my wife’s Catholic school teachers (a nun) and after telling her that I’m Protestant, she said “Oh, so you actually read the Bible” and complained that Catholics didn’t. I thought her response was very interesting considering that there are very few Protestants in Italy and that was what came to her mind about Protestants.

Regarding the OPs question, I think the real question should be: Why does a religion have to be “hard” in order to be true? If someone is looking for a “hard” or strict religion, they can look to Islam, but that doesn’t make Islam true. Furthermore, just because the Catholic church has a many traditions/rituals that Catholics must supposedly follow/perform in order to go to Heaven doesn’t make Catholicism true. The Truth only comes from studying the Word of God provided to us in the Holy Bible. Period. Perhaps Catholics are not encouraged to read the Bible because it would make them question the Roman Catholic Church?

The issue that Catholics bring up about the un-organization of the “protestant” church is also nonsense. Jesus wants His followers to spread His message of salvation, and we are supposed to have fellowship. He doesn’t want an “organized” religion with a hierarchy of men (each one more powerful than the other), mixed with pagan rituals, symbols, and traditions, in order to murder and oppress non-Catholics, to sell forgiveness of sins and salvation, and to make up new doctrine like purgatory and divineness of Mary along the way. I can’t find the verse where Jesus says to bow down and kiss the hands of priests and pray to Mary for help.

In conclusion, being a Bible believing Christian (ie: a “Protestant”) means that you must stand firm on the Word of God against attacks by so-called Christians (and non-Christians) that are trying to persuade you to not believe in what the Bible teaches, and as a minority religion in this world without a globally visible representative and financial backer, it is definitely more difficult being a “Protestant.”

You have no authority whatsoever to say that we are idol worshippers. Be prepared to be heavily refuted by many emotionally driven Catholics on this forum.

 

[Kristin234]

I think both are equally hard.

If you are a follower of Christ you will have difficulty. Being a Christian means being Christ like. Being Christ like goes against our nature. For one we are not sinless.

We also have to be willing to leave everything for Christ. Jesus said that we have to hate our own life in order to be a true disciple, and that is difficult for everyone. With all the sinful pleasures that this world has to offer it becomes very difficult for us to hate our lives and to drop everything and follow Christ completely, but as Christians that is what we must all do.

We are selfish creatures and all we care about is ourselves so it is a task to get over ourselves and give ourselves completely to God and let his will be done. Being a Christian you have to be willing to lose your life for Christ.

 

[Waiting]

Wow, interesting thread. I must say that I don’t know how Catholicism is in the USA, but since I live in Italy, the Roman Catholic Church seems very different than what some people have posted. I’m American, but my wife is Italian and a Roman Catholic.

As a “Bible believing” Christian, I believe Catholics would classify me as a Protestant. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I do NOT believe that Mary is the Mother of God, nor the Queen of Heaven, nor Co-Redemptrix, nor born without sin. She was a sinner like all of us and in need of a Savior like all of us as we learn in Scripture. I believe that there is only one God, and that praying to anyone else is a form of worship. Therefore, praying to Mary, the “saints”, popes and priests is idol worship, and we’re taught not to do this in the Bible although the Catholic catechism removed that part from the Ten Commandments.

To answer the original poster’s question, I’d say it’s much easier to be a Catholic because you simply have to do whatever the priest tells you without having to know for yourself whether what he’s telling you to do is Biblical or not. And if you don’t follow what he says, you simply ask the priest forgiveness. If you want a divorce and get married in church again, all you have to do is pay the priest and he’ll make it all right. Again, I don’t know about the USA, but that is how it is here in Italy.

While for us Bible believers, we must know and study the Bible for ourselves, which definitely requires more effort and true desire to want to follow Jesus’ teachings. However, since we do know that we’re saved by the grace of God (since we read the Bible) and not by our works (since there’s nothing we can do to “earn” our salvation), maybe the lack of stress in this regard makes “Protestantism” look easy.

Some people have equated Protestants with being liberals or “free thinkers”, but this isn’t a valid classification. Historically, Protestants have been persecuted for following Christ instead of the Pope. Nowadays, some popular “protestant” churches might be considered liberal or relaxed (meaning that certain hot topics might not be discussed), but that can’t be used as an overall generalization of protestants or non-Catholics and it doesn’t meant that the same thing doesn’t occur in the Catholic church. As previously stated, Catholics have a “get out of jail free” pass since they can ask the priest forgiveness to live their lives as sinful as they want. A genuine Bible believing Christian lives life consciously trying to avoid sin and according to the Word of God.

I remember meeting one of my wife’s Catholic school teachers (a nun) and after telling her that I’m Protestant, she said “Oh, so you actually read the Bible” and complained that Catholics didn’t. I thought her response was very interesting considering that there are very few Protestants in Italy and that was what came to her mind about Protestants.

Regarding the OPs question, I think the real question should be: Why does a religion have to be “hard” in order to be true? If someone is looking for a “hard” or strict religion, they can look to Islam, but that doesn’t make Islam true. Furthermore, just because the Catholic church has a many traditions/rituals that Catholics must supposedly follow/perform in order to go to Heaven doesn’t make Catholicism true. The Truth only comes from studying the Word of God provided to us in the Holy Bible. Period. Perhaps Catholics are not encouraged to read the Bible because it would make them question the Roman Catholic Church?

The issue that Catholics bring up about the un-organization of the “protestant” church is also nonsense. Jesus wants His followers to spread His message of salvation, and we are supposed to have fellowship. He doesn’t want an “organized” religion with a hierarchy of men (each one more powerful than the other), mixed with pagan rituals, symbols, and traditions, in order to murder and oppress non-Catholics, to sell forgiveness of sins and salvation, and to make up new doctrine like purgatory and divineness of Mary along the way. I can’t find the verse where Jesus says to bow down and kiss the hands of priests and pray to Mary for help.

In conclusion, being a Bible believing Christian (ie: a “Protestant”) means that you must stand firm on the Word of God against attacks by so-called Christians (and non-Christians) that are trying to persuade you to not believe in what the Bible teaches, and as a minority religion in this world without a globally visible representative and financial backer, it is definitely more difficult being a “Protestant.”

Wow! How did you wind up married to a Catholic? To paraphrase Bishop Fulton Sheen, there aren’t many who hate the Catholic Church. They only hate what they think the Catholic Church stands for. You have many misconceptions about Catholic beliefs. I don’t know if a study of Catholicism would help you to understand the beliefs of Catholics, as I think at present you already have made up your mind that there is little of truth or value to be found there. I know that Mary could help you to find the truth of her Son’s teachings, but you’ve already decided that she’s not worth bothering with. Too bad. She has a huge influence with her Son. He couldn’t say no to her here, so it’s unlikely He can refuse her anything in heaven. Just so you know – praying isn’t necessarily worshipping the one you’re in contact with in heaven. Sometimes, as in the case of Mary, it’s just talking, as we would if they were present with us here.

There is no need to go point by point over all your misconceptions here. Until you approach learning with an unbiased mind, there is little hope for understanding. I’m sorry that you have had some unpleasant experiences with Catholics. We’re human, too, and weak. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless.

 

[joapde]

It is most important to understand that the Christian faith is about Jesus Christ and our relationship to Him, and not about “religion”. The Holy Spirit, who is the author of the Word of God, has given us many illustrations to help us understand the everlasting relationship of Christ and His church.

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18 KJV)

Later in Colossians we read that nobody can have more than one head; therefore it is wrong for any man, other than the Lord Jesus Christ, to claim to be the head of the church on earth or in heaven. His body has many members, and they are all equal in His sight. His church is one body with only one head, Christ, who has all authority over each member of His body.

Hundreds of years before the Messiah was born, the Psalms contained an accurate prophecy, “The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Head of the Corner.” (Psalms 118:22 LITV)

This building is made of “living stones,” alive with the life of Christ (1 Peter 2:5). We are built upon Christ, through the teachings of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19, 20).

The gospel message of salvation is the means of enlarging the church, as more believe in Christ, are cleansed, and are baptized by the Holy Spirit into His eternal assembly. No wonder Paul saw himself as unworthy of bearing such Good News to the Gentiles.

Paul says triumphantly, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek;” (Romans 1:16 LITV)

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)

We like Timothy need to keep focused on the Word of God because our natural instinct, does not want God’s revelation. We would rather hear what we wants to hear - something to scratch our itching ears.

 

[guanophore]

in general, Catholicism is a much more rigorous path than most Protestant denominations. For example:

• The hardest part of Catholicism, in my opinion, is the lack of assurance of salvation.

How do you disregard the Scriptures that refer to assurance?

This extends beyond obviously grave offenses (abortion, murder, blasphemy etc.) to things considered trifling to moderns. The Church teaches that all kinds of actions and even thoughts, several of them routine in many or most peoples’ lives, are capable of sending an individual to hell. The most rigorous of them is the church’s traditional teaching that there is no parvity of matter in the sixth commandment; this means that the ultimate penalty for almost all sexual offenses, if one knows this is the teaching and fully consents to it, is hell. One fantasy wantonly indulged, one pornographic video watched, one instance of masturbation, one Sunday Mass missed for no valid reason can send a person to hell if they do not seek confession and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit that sin again.

It’s the camel;s nose.

Sexual offenses are one of the easiest ways for the Enemy to corrupt the faithful, because they are so powerful.

For those who do, it often entails radical lifestyle changes once marriage is contracted.

I think Catholic teaching on chastity entails a radical lifestyle change even before marriage is contracted. Do you not see this in the New Testament? I agree that it runs counter to the modern culture.

• Most Catholic clergymen are not permitted to be married;

This is not true. The Catholic Church cannot prevent marriage to anyone.

The Latin Rite prefers to chose for priests among those called ot celibacy for the benefit of the flock.

the sense of tradition is that most of the saved do not attain heaven immediately but instead receive temporal punishment in purgatory;

Yet, it is encouraged that we obtain this purification here and now. Why wait?

Catholics are not allowed to divorce and re-marry, and remarriages are condemned by the church;

Do you think this is consistent with the Teaching of Jesus?

the liturgy is fixed, universal, and not open to much interpretation (causing many to see masses as “dull” and “boring”);

I used to think this too. I realized that it was really myself, not entering into the mystery of the Eucharist. Now that I have confessed this, I find that the Mass is too short!

I also learned that the fixation of the liturgy goes back to the Apostles, and that it is so fixed to prevent error.

even entertaining serious doubts about Catholic dogma is grounds for mortal sin; etc., etc.

Is there any circumstance under which such “entertainment” would be good for the human soul?

With all this in mind, being a good Catholic is, and has always been, difficult, though not impossible. It requires a person to make many sacrifices they wouldn’t otherwise have to. It sometimes even causes a person to lose some of their respect in their social relations (e.g. comments about large families).

But Christ himself said the narrow way leads to salvation…

Yes. I think this is the faith of the Apostles.

 

[Good_Fella]

It must be easier to be Protestant. An old friend of mine left the Catholic Church and subsequently joined the Calvary Assembly community because felt compelled to divorce his wife and marry another woman. He had no grounds to have his first marriage annulled, and he disagreed with the Catholic Church’s position on divorce; so he left what he felt to be a too rigorous church. :sad_yes:

But then he ended up carrying a pocket Bible with him every where he went, with which he would approach people almost anywhere and quote chapters and verses to support his theological views while evangelizing. In this respect it could be harder to be Protestant (outside the mainstream, that is).

 

[Cat]

It is most important to understand that the Christian faith is about Jesus Christ and our relationship to Him, and not about “religion”. The Holy Spirit, who is the author of the Word of God, has given us many illustrations to help us understand the everlasting relationship of Christ and His church.

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18 KJV)

Later in Colossians we read that nobody can have more than one head; therefore it is wrong for any man, other than the Lord Jesus Christ, to claim to be the head of the church on earth or in heaven. His body has many members, and they are all equal in His sight. His church is one body with only one head, Christ, who has all authority over each member of His body.

Hundreds of years before the Messiah was born, the Psalms contained an accurate prophecy, “The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Head of the Corner.” (Psalms 118:22 LITV)

This building is made of “living stones,” alive with the life of Christ (1 Peter 2:5). We are built upon Christ, through the teachings of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19, 20).

The gospel message of salvation is the means of enlarging the church, as more believe in Christ, are cleansed, and are baptized by the Holy Spirit into His eternal assembly. No wonder Paul saw himself as unworthy of bearing such Good News to the Gentiles.

Paul says triumphantly, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek;” (Romans 1:16 LITV)

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)

We like Timothy need to keep focused on the Word of God because our natural instinct, does not want God’s revelation. We would rather hear what we wants to hear - something to scratch our itching ears.

As an ex-evangelical Protestant of 47 years who converted to Catholicism in 2004, I disagree with much of this post.

I’m sure others who read this will also disagree.

May I please ask that we take our disagreement to a new thread and not de-rail this thread into a discussion of “form of religion,” papal authority, the legitimacy of the Catholic Church, the Biblical basis of a “visible” Church on earth as opposed to an “invisible” Church on earth, etc?

joapde has raised these issues and many others in his/her post, and I know that several of you are chomping at the bit to refute some of his/her points. I’m one of you! But can we please take those discussions to a different thread? Thanks so much!

This topic is about whether it is easier to be Protestant or Catholic. I personally don’t think that this poster answered the question, but rather, used this thread as a starting point for challenging the Catholic Church. Since the poster is new to CAF (this was his/her first post), I think it would be charitable to overlook the fact that the post is OT.

joapde, perhaps you would enjoy visiting the Apologetics section of CAF and raising your points about the issues that I mentioned above, mainly the Authority of the Catholic Church. Thanks!

I invite you to answer my question–Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic? You mention “religion”. I don’t understand what you are trying to say. Do you believe that it is harder to be “religious” than “Christian?” Do you object to the word “religion” being used to describe Christianity, even though James uses the word (James 1:27)?

Welcome to CAF! Enjoy!

 

[Morpheous90]

As a guy who was raised in a Baptist church for most of his ten years then reverted to the religion of my Native American ancestors, I can honestly say being Protestant is easier. the churches are much more relax and casual. It makes spending time with God more “fun”, for the lack of a better word. lol

My experience with Catholics, my girlfriend is Catholic and I go to Church with them on occasions. Their church is much more… rigid in atmosphere… Bleh, i’m gonna start rambling lol

 

[TrueLight]

• The hardest part of Catholicism, in my opinion, is the lack of assurance of salvation. .

I agree with this. When I was an evangelical, I believed that as long as I was a Christian and tried my best to do what was right in the eyes of God, I was assured salvation. I never believed God would send me to hell over one sin, if in my heart I truly tried to serve him.

As a pre-Catholic, I am told that if I die with an un-confessed mortal sin, like missing mass, and didn’t get a chance to offer an act of perfect contrition, I may very well go to hell.

Also, even if I don’t die with an unconfessed mortal sin , chances are good I will end up in purgatory.

So as a protestant, Heaven !

As a Catholic? Heaven? Hopefully.
Hell? Maybe, if I die with an unconfessed mortal sin.
Purgatory? Most likely.

 

[Lauris]

As a cradle catholic, who lost her way and became a protestant, and found my way back to the catholic faith I can definately tell you that being a catholic is HARDER. As a protestant I did not have to deal with sacraments, confession, etc. When I was protestant I felt that because I BELIEVED in Jesus Christ, and I would say Lord please forgive my sins, I repent… I was good to go I was saved!!!
As a catholic everyday I am aware of my shortcoming, & yet I am filled with hope. One of the biggest eye opening revelations to me as a returning Catholic is how well the Catholic church understands our human frailties, & how we have such wonderful tools to help us deal with it, how well the catholic church has an “outline” if you will that is so close to how, we humans understand our wrold…symbols (sacraments) leaders (pope) so much more. If you look at our lives, that is how we function we have symbols for everyday life. We are told when to go, stop, we have organizational symbols, family crests etc, we also have leaders in our companies, schools etc. It is a natural order of how we humans understand the wrold around us. God gave us senses and I feel that we as catholics are so blessed to have that, so yes it is Harder to be a catholic in my humble opinion, but so much richer & fullfilling! God Bless

 

[Inishfree]

I grew up attending a United Methodist church and recieved their sacraments.

The Methodist and Catholics have very simular beliefs. Except for confession. So for me it would be equal. The Methodist believe in the Holy Apostotic, Catholic (universal) church and though salvation is a free gift, it can be thrown away.

When, I became Catholic. The church recognised my Methodist baptism as being valid. So, this sacrament was not redone.

Hope this is helpful to the OP.

 

[Newsy]

What I’m experiencing as I walk toward Catholicism, in a nutshell:

As a Protestant, if I’m not happy with what my church or denomination teaches, I can switch. I can make my religion fit my personal opinions. If I want to be active in the church, there are wonderful places for that. If I only want to come for Sunday or even holiday services, there are churches for that, too.

As a Catholic, the doctrine is the doctrine, period. I might not like it, but it is what it is. It’s not based on some guy’s opinion, but on the lifelong study of highly educated priests and bishops, sometimes based upon several generations’ studies.

When I received the testimony to walk the path toward Catholicism, I did not want it. I never wanted to be Catholic - I said it outloud to many people. Part of the reason was that it is concrete, and I cannot pick and choose what I want to believe from it. The people close to me believe that this truly was a testimony from God for that reason. God does not tell us what we want to hear, He tells us the truth.

You hit that on the head!! My story is just like that.

 

[stevekehl]

I’m from the Church of Christ, a little different from other Protestant churches so my experience may be different than most. Our belief is not that I can do whatever I want, say I’m sorry God, and turn around a do it again. Regardless of where someone attends church, if they do it to feel “OK, I’ve been to church this week, God owes me” then their faith is empty. Church hopping is the easy way out, and these days whatever your inclination you can find a church that allows it. However, the CoC teaches us to believe what the Bible teaches, creation, the flood, Abraham’s journey of faith, Moses, the Red Sea, Rahab and Jericho’s walls, Gideon’s fleece, Balaam’ s donkey (can’t use the a** word here) David and Goliath, Elijah, Elisha, Namaan’s healing, Jewish exiles, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Virgin Birth, the Word made Flesh, Jesus’ miracles, Jesus’ divinity; death, burial, and resurrection; hearing, believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized, justification by faith, faith perfected by works; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy. We don’t have confession, pennance, or Purgatory, but neither do we teach unrevokeable salvation. We don’t excommunicate, but we will ask someone to leave a congregation after sustained, unrepentant, disruptive acts of a sinful nature. There is also discipline within the congregation, usually involving local leaders. I believe the Christian faith is the one true faith, I see the church not as an institution or a denomination, but every believer in Christ. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, that He died for your sins, rose on the third Day, and is Lord of your life then I can work with you. If you truly believe that then we are on the same path, face the same obstacles, fight the same battles. Life is hard for everyone, but I’ve found it is more bearable to lean on God when I am tested, or as Paul put it , God’s strength is shown in our weakness.

 

[Simka]

Curiously, I think the question and most responses have confused “Catholic” with the peculiar Roman brand of Catholicism. The earliest protests were not over the catholicity of the faith. As a child in school in the 1950’s, we routinely differentiated between Roman Catholics and other Catholic believers. So Catholic and Protestant are not mutually exclusive.

As an Anglican, I am both Catholic and Protestant (meaning simply, “opposed to the universal authority of the Bishop of Rome”). My brand of Catholicism is not Roman. Yet I still hold to three creeds (of St. Athanasius, of the Apostles, and of Nicea), including belief in the Holy Catholic Church, of which I am a part.