Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?

[CMatt25]

It’s easier to be Catholic if you want everything spelled out for you. It’s harder if you do not. It’s easier for instance to be a mainline Protestant, UCC, TEC, PCUSA, ELCA, UMC, Disciples of Christ, for instance, if you want more freedom to think for yourself. Harder if you do not.

 

[guanophore]

I was a Catholic for the first 25/30 yrs of my life … I have been a Nondenominational Christian for 30+ years … I never thought about ease. I focused on my relationship with my creator… no matter the cost to me.
In my RCC experience I was taught that one can never know for sure where they will end up for eternity… and to say that you know is a sin … of prideful presumption.
In my understanding of God’s word … It clearly states that I can know for sure… and in fact … that is the reason Jesus suffered and died for me… so that I can rest in his blessed assurance.

11And this is the testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son, hath life. He that hath not the Son, hath not life.
13These things I write to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

1John 5:11

I can understand the desire to “know”. It reduces the need for hope, and trust. The reason the Apostles taught us not to do this is because it is an “immature” attitude.

Phil 3:12-16

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Paul says that the mature attitude is to not assume that one has already obtained salvation, but to press, hope, and strain forward. But, God will reveal this also to you, if you are willing.

 

[guanophore]

I am the opposite. I came from Protestantism to Catholicism because I just wanted to worship God. I am closer to Jesus now than ever before in my life.

I know Jesus died to save me and I can rest in blessed assurance that I am saved by grace through faith but, that does not mean that I am without sin. That does not mean that when I die, whoosh, there I am in Heaven.

I can only do what Paul said, persevere to the end and reap my reward. If that means a stay in Purgatory along the way, hey it means Heaven is where I will end up. It means I want to remain in a good relationship with God. I love and want to please Him. Why do you seem to think that this is a bad thing?

But one of the major things I have learned as a Catholic is humility. It is an important lesson and one I sorely needed.

Yeah, it is hard to be humble if you think you know better, or more, than St. Paul.

 

[guanophore]

It’s easier to be Catholic if you want everything spelled out for you. It’s harder if you do not. It’s easier for instance to be a mainline Protestant, UCC, TEC, PCUSA, ELCA, UMC, Disciples of Christ, for instance, if you want more freedom to think for yourself. Harder if you do not.

It is also easier to be Protestant if you have authority problems, and don’t want to accept those that Christ has appointed over the Church to shepherd the flock. One can spurn that rod and that staff, and take any trail one’s heart desires, and justify it with the Scriptures.

 

[Traditional_Ang]

Cat:

I had many of the same feelings when I was forced to leave a Christian Community I had joined in the early 1980’s. I still remember standing next to almost all of my worldly possessions on a street in a small town in southern Oregon filled with humiliation, sadness and shame. I was in such bad shape even Jim Wallis from Sojourners wrote me a couple of letters trying to encourage me. I was so humiliated & ashamed I refused to contact many of the people I had contacted known before I left for the Community…

You might enjoy reading the entire thread. You will see that I have a great deal of experience with Protestantism after 47 years, as do many others on this thread.

My husband and I were thrown out of our Protestant church. We were loyal and active members. I’ve often said on this forum that if I printed out the list of our many involvements and ministries, I would exceed the memory accomodations of this forum! We were “super evangelicals,” in the church or doing a church activity 5-6 days a week. Our entire lives were in our church.

And yet, we were kicked out. There was a tribunal, with men present that we didn’t even know. We were accused, we tried to defend ourselves, but the BIble was used to condemn us, and we were told to leave.

It was just as nightmarish and more so, than I am describing it. It was the dividing point of our lives. Ever since that night, we speak of life “before the ousting” and “after the ousting.” Our lives completely changed after we were ousted.

God allowed this awful thing to happen so that my husband and I, and eventually our daughter, and who knows how many other family members, would be open to investigating and joining the Catholic Church. So we praise God today.

But the events were still incredibly painful, and I think that the scars I bear will go with me to my death. To this day, I have major trust issues, and I am very slow to accept someone as a genuine Christian. I have to see it over several years in their daily lives. I have to see good works and a life of sacrificial love. “Good feelings,” music and ceremonies do not impress me in the least. There was plenty of good music and quite a big show and lots of tears and prayers and testimonies at the evangelical church that we attended, but it covered up a church caught up in a demonic lie led by people who were utterly misled. They did great evil to me and my daughters. Those men and the one woman involved will have a lot to answer for at their particular judgement.

When my father died 2 years later, I was ready to run, and I did. I left the Lord - I ran so fast and hard, it required a miracle to bring me back. The Hound of Heaven Describes Divine Love that pursues us until we are caught in God’s loving embrace.
poemhunter.com/poem/the-hound-of-heaven/
Luke 15:11-32 - Biblegateway

I know I myself have often been too harsh a judge of my brothers & sisters, and that it’s far too easy to hold others to standards we ourselves can’t follow… And, It’s far easier to convene a "Counsel of the Righteous’ than to actually do what Scripture tells us to do and give our brothers & sisters the benefit of the doubt or talk to them when it’s apparent that they may be doing things that are sinful…

I can only hope and pray that I won’t listen to lies and calumnies about my brothers & sisters, that I’ll have the courage to speak out against them when I hear them, and that my brothers & sisters will forgive me when I fail to do so. And, That My brothers and sisters will try not to listen to lies about me, that they will speak out against them, and that I’ll have forgive them when they fail to do so.

Exactly. I have posted many times since joining CAF about the “unwritten list of rules” in many evangelical Protestant denominations. In fact, before I ever thought about becoming Catholic, I was a member of a Protestant online forum, and I started a firestorm over there by posting a “list of rules” (unwritten) and asking, “Why?” I didn’t get banned, but I got slammed by many. OTOH, many other members of that board stood with me and said, “Yes, this is the way it is in my church, too.”

Evangelical Protestants are not “free” at all, and the fact that so many of the “rules” are unwritten, but clearly understood by others in the denomination makes it very difficult for newcomers to fit in and to STAY connected to the church. Over the 47 years that I was part of evangelical churches, I saw a lot of conversions, but I saw almost as many departures. So many people just couldn’t manage to follow the “rules” and live like real Christians–at least, live like their church said they should live.

I used to have a friend who called that “Rule-anity” instead of Christianity - 1) Don’t Smoke! 2) Don’t Drink! 3) Don’t Listen to Rock Music! 4) Don’t Dance! 5) Don’t Kiss in Public!.. I don’t think any of these are in the Bible, but I’m willing to give up anything I enjoy if my enjoyment causes a brother to stumble or if anyone in spiritual authority tells me there’s a danger that it might become a false god.

Cat, I hope this is enough, and I hope this helps.
Yours in Christ, Michael

PS: I’m glad you ended up in the right place - Romans 8:28-39

 

[Traditional_Ang]

It’s easier to be Catholic if you want everything spelled out for you. It’s harder if you do not. It’s easier for instance to be a mainline Protestant, UCC, TEC, PCUSA, ELCA, UMC, Disciples of Christ, for instance, if you want more freedom to think for yourself. Harder if you do not.

Matt:

True Freedom comes from knowing the Truth - That’s what Jesus said. According to Scripture, the Church is the Pillar and Bulwark of Truth (1 Timothy 3:15). And, according to Tradition, the Fullness of Truth resides in the Catholic Church - And According to the Nicene Creed, “We believe in one holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

The TEC has recently pushed almost all of the “Traditionalists” from the Episcopal Church, going to the point of suing congregations who had owned their own property for hundreds of years using a newly contrived “Dennis Cannon”. I’d hardly call that “Freedom”. PCUSA requires its members to accept a Liberal Agenda, including Openly Gay Clergy. Those who refuse on the basis of Scripture are ostracized. “Freedom”? United Churches of Christ? What We Believe - I see nothing here about how the sinner’s life is transformed by God’s Love and what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called God’s “Costly Grace”. In fact, this sounds a lot like what Bonhoeffer called “Cheap Grace” which leaves a Sinner where he is and has no power to transform lives.

I won’t comment on the others - Freedom comes from knowing Jesus Christ and having one’s life transformed by a relationship with Jesus Christ, by submitting oneself to Jesus as one’s Lord, God and Savior and allowing Jesus to take over and “do with me what you will”.

We all have to decide what kind of “Freedom” we will have - Will it be the False Freedom of the world, or will it be the true Freedom of the life hidden in Christ. Along those lines, please listen to my friend Bruce Wright on this subject -
Servant - Shallow Water - Holy Roller Blues
Deuteronomy 30:1-20 - Biblegateway
James 1 & 2 - Biblegateway

The question that was originally asked was, “Is it easier to be a Faithful Protestant or a Faithful Catholic?” Not "Which church gives more “Apparent freedom”? Remember every choice you make “Limits your Freedom”. Dating one girl means you can’t date another. Taking one job means you can’t take another. Renting or buying one home precludes the rental of purchase of another. Leasing or purchasing one car precludes the lease or purchase of another. Skiing in Colorado precludes flying to Switzerland at the same time. Scuba diving off Catalina precludes hang-gliding in the San Francisco Bay Area during that same afternoon. And so forth…
“You will know the Truth,
and the Truth will make you free.”
John 8:32 - ESV
“If the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.”
John 8:36 - GOD’S WORD
“I am the way, the truth and the life,
No one comes to the Father but except through me.”
John 14: 6 - HCSB
I hope this makes this clear.
You Brother & Servant in Christ,
Michael

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

I was a Catholic for the first 25/30 yrs of my life … I have been a Nondenominational Christian for 30+ years … I never thought about ease. I focused on my relationship with my creator… no matter the cost to me.
In my RCC experience I was taught that one can never know for sure where they will end up for eternity… and to say that you know is a sin … of prideful presumption.
In my understanding of God’s word … It clearly states that I can know for sure… and in fact … that is the reason Jesus suffered and died for me… so that I can rest in his blessed assurance.

11And this is the testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son, hath life. He that hath not the Son, hath not life.
13These things I write to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

1John 5:11

What about the parable of the rich man? He knew Jesus and wanted to get to heaven. Jesus called him to sell everything and give it to the poor, but he could not. For a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven is more difficult than getting a camel through the eye of a needle.

The message is about loving God more than things. Not just knowing His name.

And how do you know you will always believe? Therefore we must pray, we must have Hope, we must strive to do His will. We must trust in His mercy, Yes, Jesus died for all of us, but we have free will which rejects His love.

Peace,
John

 

[Georgia]

I know everyone has a different experience and a different opinion, but here’s mine.

Until I was in my mid-thirties, I had never been inside a Catholic church. As a member of a KJV-only church, I thought that Catholics were people who had no real knowledge of the Bible. They were curiosities in my small town.

When I was growing up, we ran hot or hotter. At times, we went to Sunday School, from there to the Sunday morning service, Baptist Training Union late afternoon, Sunday night service after that, and sometimes a Wednesday night service. I was a member of Bible Memory Association, sometimes did visitation, and helped with monthly jail services. It took up a lot of time. Once I was an adult, I cut back, way back.

I worked jobs that required Sunday work. There was no belief that one’s salvation could be in jeopardy once that salvation moment had occurred. Once saved - always saved (OSAS) was our belief system. It really didn’t matter that much if one were to miss church for months or years on end. I pretty much did exactly that as did many of my contemporaries. Going to church required extra effort for shift workers, but we weren’t concerned. We thought we were saved no matter what, so church was pretty much optional.

My extended family members and my acquaintances had the same belief system. When the older uncles and aunts died, we had to ask our preacher, that’s what we called him, to conduct the funerals. They had not been inside a church other than for weddings or for funerals since their teens. Yet, we were sure they went right through the gates of Heaven just as fast as anyone who had been to church every time the doors opened. We thought that a person’s reward in Heaven could be less for those who weren’t particularly faithful, but their being with the saints was assured the moment they walked the aisle as a child testifying to a salvation experience.

People of my age group were using birth control and thought nothing of it. I never once heard anything in my church suggesting that it was in any way wrong. In a church that railed against using even a drop of alcohol, I never heard anything about abortion either.

My own experience is that it has been much harder for me to be Catholic. There is the Sunday obligation, the days of obligation, and the ultra-biggie, confession. There are levels of sin with grave sins jeopardizing salvation.

Going to confession was something I had never even seen until the first time I went. Going in and telling another person all of my failures is to me far harder than in my old faith practice. If we did something wrong, we were expected to say a private prayer asking forgiveness and that sin was gone for all eternity.

Trip planning includes going to church, something we never did on vacation when I was growing up. We had family reunions on Sunday mornings, the only time many of family members’ churches operated.

I have found it much harder, but incredibly rewarding, to be on this side of the Tiber. Maybe I could humbly borrow the phrase that I am working out my salvation with fear and trembling, but it has been a great journey so far.

 

[mirandajb]

Go for Catholic…Just like you, although being a cradle Catholic, my renewal came in a Protestant environment. Boy, the things they tell you and back it with the bible. Looking back now, I think God had a plan. He wanted me to know His Word (still in infancy stage in the Catholic Church) in the Protestant environment and share the renewal in the Catholic church, which is in dire need of same. Our traditions are swell and biblically founded (if you study the Old Testament deep). Catholics go to a buffet dinner and eat the entire spread laid for you by the Host (read: God ) whereas Protestants eat selectively. Bon apetit!!

 

[CMatt25]

It is also easier to be Protestant if you have authority problems, and don’t want to accept those that Christ has appointed over the Church to shepherd the flock. One can spurn that rod and that staff, and take any trail one’s heart desires, and justify it with the Scriptures.

By “those that Christ has appointed over the Church to shepherd the flock” I shall assume, Guan, you mean according to Catholic belief.

In any case, I find there can be shepherds of local parish flocks whose flocks I am not certain I would want to be part of. For instance a shepherd who insists on the use of the envelope system and 6 mo registration as a pre- requirement for Baptism. I don’t recall John the Baptist or St Paul when he baptized households, checking envelopes first. Or a shepherd who proclaims in a homily I was present for, that his answer to the poor is to get a job. Or I’m not sure I would want to be part of a flock if the shepherd while preaching the sanctity of life, was involved in the kind of scandal like we came to learn about later. But perhaps this is why Jesus taught us by their fruits we shall know them.

 

[1voice]

I can understand the desire to “know”. It reduces the need for hope, and trust. The reason the Apostles taught us not to do this is because it is an “immature” attitude.

Phil 3:12-16

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Paul says that the mature attitude is to not assume that one has already obtained salvation, but to press, hope, and strain forward. But, God will reveal this also to you, if you are willing.

Knowledge increases hope and trust.
The Roman officer understood that Jesus was operating under the authority of God … He said (paraphrased) because I am under authority … I have authority …I see that you operate according to the same principle.
Jesus marveled at the man’s understanding of where his authority came from … and his perception of how God’s kingdom operates. Jesus comended him for having greater faith than the Israelites.

---

Paul was assured of his own right standing with God and where he would spend eternity. He said … (paraphrased) " It is better for me if I go (die) because heaven awaits me. It is better for you if I stay because I can personally help you in your Christian walk while I am still here.

…In Phillipians Paul was talking about diligence in doing the good work that God had prepared for him here on the Earth before the foundation of the world… and the fact that he was human… and remember that … and dont get arrogant … Just as Jesus (whose relationship with God the father was never in question) chose humility in order to accomplish the work.

Paul had regrets. (He helped murder Stephen) He chose not to focus on those negatives… but to stay focused on his commission to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. He and Barnabas had a huge falling out … Though Barnabas was the one that initiated the meeting of the minds and hearts between Paul and the rest of the Apostles … Paul flatly rejected Mark because he considered him not fit for service … And Paul and Barnabas never worked together again … yet later Paul let by-gones be by-gones and asked for Mark by name.

 

[Waiting]

By “those that Christ has appointed over the Church to shepherd the flock” I shall assume, Guan, you mean according to Catholic belief.

In any case, I find there can be shepherds of local parish flocks whose flocks I am not certain I would want to be part of. For instance a shepherd who insists on the use of the envelope system and 6 mo registration as a pre- requirement for Baptism. I don’t recall John the Baptist or St Paul when he baptized households, checking envelopes first. Or a shepherd who proclaims in a homily I was present for, that his answer to the poor is to get a job. Or I’m not sure I would want to be part of a flock if the shepherd while preaching the sanctity of life, was involved in the kind of scandal like we came to learn about later. But perhaps this is why Jesus taught us by their fruits we shall know them.

I understand your feelings here, but we all know that priests are human beings. There will be weak members, as well as committed ones, in every religious congregation – Protestant or Catholic.

 

[guanophore]

By “those that Christ has appointed over the Church to shepherd the flock” I shall assume, Guan, you mean according to Catholic belief.

Not entirely, but to the extent that the Catholic Church has preserved what has been revealed to manking by Christ, yes. The Orthodox and many of our separated brethren still retain adherance to this Revelation of God in Christ.

The Truth revealed to mankind by God is not subjective (according to ______belief). It is objective. This means it exists outside of how ________ believes, or does not believe.

 In any case, I find there can be shepherds of local parish flocks whose flocks I am not certain I would want to be part of.  For instance a shepherd who insists on the use of the envelope system and 6 mo registration as a pre- requirement for Baptism.  I don't recall John the Baptist or St Paul when he baptized households, checking envelopes first.

No, but John did command that people need to bear the fruit that befits repentance. If a person is not committed to their faith, then baptism should not be offered to them. What is a pre-requisite for baptism is a profession of faith. Part of that profession is a person’s actions, and if they are acting in a manner that is understood to demonstrate their commitment to walk in the faith they claim to posess. If a person cannot do such simple things as register with a parish, and communicate with that parish by use of an envelope, one has to question if they are obedient to the doctrines of the faith. He who is faithful in small things will be given more.

Or a shepherd who proclaims in a homily I was present for, that his answer to the poor is to get a job.

It is a puzzle to me why this would be a problem for any Catholic. Scripture is clear that we are to work. It does not say that we will get paid for working. Aside from the fact that work is good for character development, volunteer work is good for a resume. If one is willing to do volunteer work, one is much more likely to get hired to work for pay. It is also telling that many people in this poor economy will refuse to take work below their ability. Some people would rather sit home and indulge themselves, or feel sorry for themselves, or collect aid from the government than do work that they think is “beneath” them. I have one of these living in my home right now!

The answer to the poor is also having a job for those of us that are gainfully employed, as we are more able to support those that do not have an income.

It says something important about you that you are so offended by this homily.

Or I'm not sure I would want to be part of a flock if the shepherd while preaching the sanctity of life, was involved in the kind of scandal like we came to learn about later.

Yes, I admit this is very difficult. I am going through a hard time about this right now. But, judging the Truth of the faith by those who depart from it makes no sense. It is like saying “Whatever Jesus taught is bunk, because Judas did not follow it”.

But perhaps this is why Jesus taught us by their fruits we shall know them.

Yes, by your fruits, you are being known right now!

 

[CMatt25]

I understand your feelings here, but we all know that priests are human beings. There will be weak members, as well as committed ones, in every religious congregation – Protestant or Catholic.

Thank you for understanding and I understand too the “everyone sins” defense. May God bless you. And peace.

 

[guanophore]

Knowledge increases hope and trust.

Amen!

Paul was assured of his own right standing with God and where he would spend eternity.

I think we just understand “assurance” differently. For Catholics, we can be assured of heaven “if” we continue in faith. If we do not, then we will be cut off. This is what the Apostle meant when he talked about being “disqualified” from the race.

1 Cor 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Disqualified means you completely lose the opportunity to win the race.

He said … (paraphrased) " It is better for me if I go (die) because heaven awaits me. It is better for you if I stay because I can personally help you in your Christian walk while I am still here.

Catholics call this being in a state of grace. When one has met the conditions set forth by God, one will inherit the promises.

…In Phillipians Paul was talking about diligence in doing the good work that God had prepared for him here on the Earth before the foundation of the world… and the fact that he was human… and remember that … and dont get arrogant … Just as Jesus (whose relationship with God the father was never in question) chose humility in order to accomplish the work.

Yes, but it is not the fact that a person has been adopted that will save them. They can still wander away, and fail to be united with their heavenly inheritance.

Paul had regrets. .

Yes, but he is not talking about regrets. He is talking about what will come in the future. As long as he walks the earth, the possibility exists that he can fall from grace.

1 Cor 10:11-12
12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

 

[CMatt25]

It is a puzzle to me why this would be a problem for any Catholic.

It says something important about you that you are so offended by this homily.

Yes, I admit this is very difficult. I am going through a hard time about this right now.

Guan, I don’t know about any Catholic but I don’t know why this is such a puzzle for you. Sure a job for the poor is a great ultimate goal. But Christ’s only answer to the poor was not to get a job and this homily was in the context of giving to “beautify” the decor of the church vs giving more to the poor instead.

Well yes. I hope it says I know Christ’s emphasis on serving the poor according to our capabilties.

Guan, I shall pray for you and the hard time you are going thru. Let us pray for one another as the Apostle James taught us to do. Peace to you Guan.

 

[guanophore]

Guan, I don’t know about any Catholic but I don’t know why this is such a puzzle for you. Sure a job for the poor is a great ultimate goal. But Christ’s only answer to the poor was not to get a job and this homily was in the context of giving to “beautify” the decor of the church vs giving more to the poor instead.

Do you really expect the priest to cover all that Christ said about the poor in one homily? Of course that is not the “only answer”. It is one answer, and a good one.

Even if you did not misunderstand the priest, we all fall short in many ways. If you are so offended by his homily, then it is a call for you to pray for him, so that he can give a better one.

It is illogical to reject the authority appointed by Christ because a person in the position of authority does or says something you don’t like. It is like saying “The president has no authority because he made a comment I don’t like”. You are failing to separte the office from the person who occupies it.

Well yes. I hope it says I know Christ’s emphasis on serving the poor according to our capabilties.

So, how are you using the best of your capabilities to serve the homiletic poverty of this priest?

  Guan, I shall pray for you and the hard time you are going thru.  Let us pray for one another as the Apostle James taught us to do.  Peace to you Guan.

It is a deep sense of betrayal, when a priest violates his vows. Very painful. However, it does not mean the priesthood has no authority.

 

[Karen1960]

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.

For me, where I live,socially it would be much easier to be Protestant. The Catholics are far and few between (living in 4 different counties.) All my friends and co-workers are Protestant. I am a bit of an outcast, first being born a Yankee, then when they find out I’m Catholic, they just smile and pray for me:shrug:

They can’t understand why I need to go to Confession (doesn’t God forgive your sins) or why I pray for my husband’s soul (we should not communicate with the dead) and Mary (ub-boy I need a new thread for that one)

That said, I would never trade the Fullness of The Truth for acceptance of man.

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

I’m sorry, but I don’t even like the question.

I didn’t join the Church because of its apparent “ease” or “difficulty”. I joined the Church because it is TRUE.

I wouldn’t care if protetsantism was the easiest religion in the world, if its not true, then it is a giant waste of time.

Even if the Catholic Church gave me no physical or psychological benefit at all, I would still have to believe it because it is true.

If I din’t find any joy in living in that truth then the problem is with me, not the Church.

 

[traillius]

I vote for Catholic. Its more biblical, at least if you take the Bible as a unified work spanning the old and new testament eras, in the context of how early and modern christians are expected to live. God is not the God of mindless “yes-people” but of those whose faith is lived out in works. And its grace, not faith, that saves us.