Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?

[Roman_Catechism]

A Protestant believes that he or she does not have to do very much to achieve salvation, if that’s what you are asking. My former faith was quite easy to live, as I didn’t have to even actively try to avoid sin, because no matter what I did, my salvation was assured, so I thought.

 

[Miriam1947]

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.

Karen, send them here:

youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA

This addresses Mary biblically.

 

[Roman_Catechism]

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.

I was thinking along these exact same lines.

 

[Karen1960]

Karen, send them here:

youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA

This addresses Mary biblically.

Thank you very good

 

[CMatt25]

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.

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

Hello Guan, I don’t really think it was such a good one when he jumped right past and never mentioned any of the other answers Christ espoused for in the meantme.

I actually called and asked him if he could give me the celebrant schedule so I could attend Mass celebrated by another priest there. He laughed and said "You don’t want to attend Fr (his name) Masses? It is inconvenient though to do this weekly as the parish does not put their celebrant schedule in the bulletin.

Guan, I do not in the slightest way elevate a secular Presidential office to the same realm, nor compare it to those supposedly true teachers and shepherds of Christ’s flock.

 

[guanophore]

Hello Guan, I don’t really think it was such a good one when he jumped right past and never mentioned any of the other answers Christ espoused for in the meantme.

I actually called and asked him if he could give me the celebrant schedule so I could attend Mass celebrated by another priest there. He laughed and said "You don’t want to attend Fr (his name) Masses? It is inconvenient though to do this weekly as the parish does not put their celebrant schedule in the bulletin.

You didn’t answer my question, CMatt. You are criticizing the priest for saying something in the homily that offended you. You found his sermon “impoverished”. What are you doing to address this poverty? It seems like your instinct is to run away from homiletic impoverishment. I find it curious that you respond this way, while finding fault with how others fail to deal with poverty according to your standard.

If you spurn the authority appointed by Christ because of a personal shortcoming such as this, it demonstrates that you have very little faith in the Chief Shepherd, and His ability to bless you through such a person.

It is a fact of human nature that we are offended by actions in others that we posess ourselves. This is why people that are hard for us to get along with are so important to us. They help us see in ourselves what we object to in them.

Guan, I do not in the slightest way elevate a secular Presidential office to the same realm, nor compare it to those supposedly true teachers and shepherds of Christ’s flock.

Aside from the fact that you don’t seem to respect the office of the priest, you have missed the point. The office is deserving of respect, even if the person occupying it falls short of it’s honor. You don’t invalidate the office of the President just because certain persons who have occupied it have engaged in shameful activity.

 

[CMatt25]

You didn’t answer my question, CMatt. You are criticizing the priest for saying something in the homily that offended you. You found his sermon “impoverished”. What are you doing to address this poverty?

Prayer Guan. I actually took your advice from a time ago and included him in my prayers. Here at home and when I went to a Mass once subsequently when he was the celebrant, I prayed for him there. I also prayed for him when I attended a Mass there celebrated by another priest.

 

[guanophore]

Prayer Guan. I actually took your advice from a time ago and included him in my prayers. Here at home and when I went to a Mass once subsequently when he was the celebrant, I prayed for him there. I also prayed for him when I attended a Mass there celebrated by another priest.

:clapping:

You might also consider forgiving him for his human failings, so that you don’t have to continue to feel hurt and resentful about what he said.

 

[Roy5]

Let me return to the indefinite response of “It depends.”

If one is a strict Catholic or Protestant - well, in either case it can be a challenge. On the other hand, in many cases accepting this challenge and living by it can make life easier. A deep faith, faithfully practiced, can provide considerable comfort for true believers. They can feel the presence of God during those difficult times and gain strength and perseverance. They aren't bothered by questions or doubt. 

 As has been indicated already, many Protestants I know treasure the freedom they feel that their variety of Christianity offers. They prize what they see as their intellectual freedom. There is no pressure in most mainline Protestant churches to conform on theological issues - and social, too. For example, they may believe the dogma of the virgin birth or regard it as symbolism. Ditto for Jesus walking on water, etc. The same when it comes to such hot button issues as gay marriage or the ordination of gays. They will argue such matters but in an atmosphere which allows free expression of divergent opinions.

 Within Catholicism as well as evangelical Protestantism this freedom is limited by firm doctrines that are considered sacrosanct. While millions of Catholics do not fully agree with their church on both theological and social issues, they are likely to hide their views, certainly from priests. Many of them may doubt transubstantiation, for example, or even practice birth control but they may conceal their true feelings except perhaps among family and close friends. 

 If one wants to feel free to challenge, review, question or doubt the church or the Bible, these are not encouraged by Catholicism or evangelical Protestantism. It is rarely an issue among mainline Protestants.

 Which is easier? Hm! Depends on the person. Some find it easier to be told, in effect, how to think and what views to hold on social issues. Others would see that as a straight-jacket and find it far easier to think for themselves.

  God bless 'em all. I'm quite sure in my own limited mind that God doesn't judge us by our doctrines. The parable of the Good Samaritan established that - among other Biblical texts. Jesus was asked: how can I inherit eternal life? Christ said nothing about theology. He portrayed a despised heretic (a Samaritan) as our example because he reached out in neighborly love to help the Jew who had been mugged.

  We should go and do our best to follow that example.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Let me return to the indefinite response of “It depends.”

If one is a strict Catholic or Protestant - well, in either case it can be a challenge. On the other hand, in many cases accepting this challenge and living by it can make life easier. A deep faith, faithfully practiced, can provide considerable comfort for true believers. They can feel the presence of God during those difficult times and gain strength and perseverance. They aren't bothered by questions or doubt. 

 As has been indicated already, many Protestants I know treasure the freedom they feel that their variety of Christianity offers. They prize what they see as their intellectual freedom. There is no pressure in most mainline Protestant churches to conform on theological issues - and social, too. For example, they may believe the dogma of the virgin birth or regard it as symbolism. Ditto for Jesus walking on water, etc. The same when it comes to such hot button issues as gay marriage or the ordination of gays. They will argue such matters but in an atmosphere which allows free expression of divergent opinions.

 Within Catholicism as well as evangelical Protestantism this freedom is limited by firm doctrines that are considered sacrosanct. While millions of Catholics do not fully agree with their church on both theological and social issues, they are likely to hide their views, certainly from priests. Many of them may doubt transubstantiation, for example, or even practice birth control but they may conceal their true feelings except perhaps among family and close friends. 

 If one wants to feel free to challenge, review, question or doubt the church or the Bible, these are not encouraged by Catholicism or evangelical Protestantism. It is rarely an issue among mainline Protestants.

 Which is easier? Hm! Depends on the person. Some find it easier to be told, in effect, how to think and what views to hold on social issues. Others would see that as a straight-jacket and find it far easier to think for themselves.

  God bless 'em all. I'm quite sure in my own limited mind that God doesn't judge us by our doctrines. The parable of the Good Samaritan established that - among other Biblical texts. Jesus was asked: how can I inherit eternal life? Christ said nothing about theology. He portrayed a despised heretic (a Samaritan) as our example because he reached out in neighborly love to help the Jew who had been mugged.

  We should go and do our best to follow that example.

Roy the underlying foundation of Christianity is Christianity and the CC. The CC isn’t asking anyone to do anything expect understand the CCC [which was actually written by Justin Martyr] and accept the Grace given Sacrements. So the foundation of the CC remains the same as it did in the second century. All the rest is a pipe-dream.

Geez, what a Cross to bear that takes about a whole couple hours a week. If you chose to play in the Minor league, we wish you well. However we are playing in the Major league. And yes it requires a bit more focus. However, not all this drama you are proposing. Through you own words you are all over the map in Christianity and have somehow conceived the idea of what Christianity truly is through heretics of the church?

You are running, you can’t even find a church you are comfortable in and you are no youngster. However you somehow justify this constantly with “ANYTHING BUT THE CC”

I get the impression somewhere in your mind you know the truth.

Peace

 

[Cat]

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.

What’s not to like about a question?

I agree, the important thing is Truth, not ease or “like.” I’m not trying to make people become Catholics or Protestants because “It’s easier!” I’m not selling that snake oil here, but I do think that a lot of people refuse to investigate Catholicism because they think it’s harder. And I think that Catholics should be prepared to answer that accusation. If you just tell people, “Who cares if Catholicism is hard. Do it anyway,” a lot of people will turn away, and we don’t want that to happen, do we? We want everyone to come to know Jesus and be part of His Church. We need to “woo” people in, not scare them away.

So I think that Catholics need to think through their apology and be prepared to answer the question, “Isn’t it harder to be a Catholic?”

I assure you that most evangelical Protestants are very well-prepared to tell you, using the BIble and pointing to the verses from God’s Word, why you, a Catholic, should give up the man-made rituals of Catholicism and “Let go and let God” and “Nestle, don’t wrestle.”

So be ready to answer them, with gentleness and reverence, as our first Pope told us. (I Peter 3: 15).

A lot of people in the Bible didn’t like Jesus, but that didn’t negate the Truth that He was the Son of God. And a lot of people didn’t like His Way, but that didn’t negate the fact that He was teaching the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

But I didn’t ask “Which is Truth, Protestant Christianity or Catholic Christianity?”

I merely asked, “Is it easier to be Protestant or Catholic?” Simple question with a lot of variation in interpretation. I appreciate your interpretation of the question, pointing out that liking something or finding something easy does not necessarily equate with Truth.

So perhaps it would be helpful if you can re-phrase the question–“Is Truth easy or hard?”

And yes, I do realize that everyone will have a different perception of what’s “easy.” E.g., I think playing the piano is much easier than playing the pipe organ, but I know pipe organists who insist that playing the pipe organ is much easier than playing the piano!

This thread is not meant to be a debate with a “winner” and a “loser.” This thread is meant to help people think about which Christianity is “easier,” Protestantism or Catholicism.

I don’t know if I ever answered my own question, but just for the record, I will state that I think that Catholicism is much, much easier than Protestantism, any sect of Protestantism. And yes, I believe that Catholic Christianity is “Truth,” the True Church that Jesus Christ established on this earth.

The lack of a central authority in the Protestant sects makes it so very difficult to “pin down” exactly what you’re supposed to be thinking, believing, and/or doing or not doing at any given time.

You feel like a child trying to find your Daddy at a huge store–you wander around and look at this aisle and that aisle, and some aisles are really fun to look at and others are not so fun, but all the time, you’re getting hungrier and thirstier and you’re so exhausted searching and looking and trying not to cry, but you can’t find your Daddy and it’s scary. Over and over you see someone that you think is your Daddy and you run up to him, but it’s not him, it just looks like him. Sometimes you just stand still and cry, hoping that Daddy will find you.

When I found the Catholic Church, I finally found my Daddy. And, joy of joys, I found my Mommy, too, someone that I didn’t know I had!

 

[Cat]

So what did they accuse you of? it’s hard to understand being kicked out for being too on-fire.

I was involved with several children’s ministries at the church, mainly Children’s Choir and VBS. In two years, my children’s choir grew from 24 children to over 60 children. I am proud to say that several of the children who were in that choir under my direction have gone on to become involved in local theater work and are making careers of drama and music.

Anyway, a woman pastor accused me of “disturbing” the children that I worked with. She made other implications that were heinous. None could be proved and all could be refuted, as I never did any children’s ministry without having at least one other adult, usually more than one, present.

But the adults that attended my children’s ministries were not invited to our tribunal. And after we were kicked out, these adults (parents of the children) were told that “We had chosen to leave.”

A year after the woman pastor made these accusations against me, she was fired after she was caught in a lie. I believe that this woman had some psychological problems and was a pathological liar, and I was unfortunate enough to be caught up in her web.

But no one from the church ever called to say, “Hey, we just found out that the person who accused you is unreliable. Could we talk this over and maybe re-visit what happened back then?”

There were also major authority problems in that church. The “ladder of authority” was not clear, and I had constant problems figuring out who to ask whenever I needed to get approval for curricula, music, activities, expenditures, etc. (I spent mainly my own money on any curricula or materials for any of my children’s ministries, BTW.)

I tried constantly to get answers and find the right pastor, committee chair, elder, etc., but all too often, I was tossed from committee to pastor to another pastor. It was very frustrating, and all too often, I just had to make a decision without any clear “permission.” Every time, I was told that what I had decided was "fine.

In fact, just a few weeks before the tribunal and ousting, I had a letter from the Senior pastor thanking me for my work with the children.

My husband and I were accused of disregarding the authority in the church. Here are some examples of our “insubordination.” (Note–there will appear to be some timeline inconsistencies. Ignore them. I am listing these examples out of chronological order.)

(1) The church had bought heavily into Josh Harris’ new book I Kissed Dating Good bye, with its “Courtship Model” of dating. Rules were put in place that girls couldn’t sit with their boyfriends during youth activities. My husband and I questioned this–we met with the youth pastor and told him that we wanted our daughters to sit with their boyfriends and learn to worship and serve God together. (BTW, one of our daughters went on to marry her boyfriend, seven years later when they were in their twenties.) My husband and I had dated through high school, and were involved in many church ministries while we were dating.

We never actually told our daughter and her boyfriend to disobey the “rule.”

(2) Our other daughter was on the Leadership Team of the youth group. She asked the Youth Pastor if they could have a Youth Bible Study instead of just socials. He told her that no one would come.

When she was a Senior, she finally got fed up with a youth ministry that she saw as strictly a “social group.” She told them off during a meeting, accusing them of only wanting to “have fun.” She said that if they ever get interested in serving God and learning to know Him, to call her. Then she walked out and never came back to that youth group. She continued to attend church with us (parents), but didn’t associate with the youth group.

BTW, both my older and my younger daughter were ASKED by the VBS committee to teach a class during the last VBS that we ever did at that church. No other teenagers were put in charge of teaching a class. They were ASKED to teach by the VBS director, and they did a good job with their class.

(3) Both of my daughters were competitive figure skaters, and were members of an elite synchronized skating team (World class) in Chicago. Their practices were held every weekend from 5:30 a.m. til 1:00 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays. This meant, of course, that they missed the morning worship services and Sunday school at our church. (Keep in mind that there is no “obligation” for evangelical Protestants to attend any church services.) But they were both faithful to continue attending youth activities, and it was obvious from their behavior, attitude, and knowledge, that they were receiving good religious instruction and Bible training from their parents.

Nothing was ever said to us about the missed church, but we suspect that this is one of the reasons that the tribunal accused us of disregarding church authority.

1. My husband and I were concerned that our younger daughter, when she was a young teenager, didn’t have any friends in that church. She had friends when she was younger, but they had all left that church. So we went to one of the associate pastors and spoke with him about it.

This meeting with that pastor was used at the tribunal as an example of us of “criticizing the leadership” of the church."

(continued next post)

 

[Cat]

(continued from last post)

BTW, we suspect that at some point, our younger daughter might have experienced some kind of sexual abuse at the church. When she reached middle school, she refused to go into the church unless I, her father, or her sister was with her. She wouldn’t go through the doors alone. When she started dating her boyfriend, she would go in with him and sit with him.

And she continually told us that we should quit that church.

Clues? What do you all think? Were we stupid? Blind fools? I think we were. I think we were so used to finding nothing but love and peace in our evangelical churches that we refused to see the demons that were patrolling the halls and sitting in the pews in that church. We just didn’t recognize evil when we saw it, because we had never been exposed to it in other churches.

When my husband and I came home from the tribunal and announced that we were ousted, our younger daughter started screaming (literally screaming, not just crying), and screamed out, “I TOLD YOU! ALL ALONG, I TOLD YOU THAT CHURCH IS EVIL, but you didn’t listen to me. I told you years ago that we should leave that church, but you wouldn’t leave. I TOLD YOU!”

This haunts me. I wish to God that we had listened, but then, we might not be Catholic. But I wish we could have become Catholic without our younger daughter suffering abuse.

Our younger daughter (and her husband) still do not attend a church. My older daughter stopped attending church entirely for two years, then after we became Catholic, she starte investigating the Catholic Church and converted after two years of study. She is a happy Catholic today, but still struggling with what happened at our evangelical church. She tells us that she is still tempted to walk into one of their worship services and start yelling, “How could you have treated our family so badly?! God have mercy on you all for the evil that you allowed to happen!”

So what do you think–should we be on Journey Home? Would this experience help others? Or is this experience just too frightening for a television audience?

 

[1voice]

Originally Posted by 1voice:
Knowledge increases hope and trust.

Amen!

Originally Posted by guanophore
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.

---

1voice:
Paul is not talking about salvation here. He was certain of his relationship with God… and he was talking to believers that were in that same relationship with God. He is talking about not allowing himself to get bogged down … and instead continuing to focus on the work that God set before him.

…“What we have attained” … is right standing with God … he says hold onto that foundation (already attained) … and, with that in place, press toward the goal of accomplishing the work set before you by God before the foundation of the world.

“The prize of the upward call” is the reward that Jesus promised … for a job well done.
… " we will place our crowns (rewards) at his feet"

He is saying … Dont look back … Stay focused … and if there is a problem that is throwing you off the trail dont worry about it … God will reveal that to you.

 

[1voice]

I was involved with several children’s ministries at the church, mainly Children’s Choir and VBS. In two years, my children’s choir grew from 24 children to over 60 children. I am proud to say that several of the children who were in that choir under my direction have gone on to become involved in local theater work and are making careers of drama and music.

Anyway, a woman pastor accused me of “disturbing” the children that I worked with. She made other implications that were heinous. None could be proved and all could be refuted, as I never did any children’s ministry without having at least one other adult, usually more than one, present.

But the adults that attended my children’s ministries were not invited to our tribunal. And after we were kicked out, these adults (parents of the children) were told that “We had chosen to leave.”

A year after the woman pastor made these accusations against me, she was fired after she was caught in a lie. I believe that this woman had some psychological problems and was a pathological liar, and I was unfortunate enough to be caught up in her web.

But no one from the church ever called to say, “Hey, we just found out that the person who accused you is unreliable. Could we talk this over and maybe re-visit what happened back then?”

There were also major authority problems in that church. The “ladder of authority” was not clear, and I had constant problems figuring out who to ask whenever I needed to get approval for curricula, music, activities, expenditures, etc. (I spent mainly my own money on any curricula or materials for any of my children’s ministries, BTW.)

I tried constantly to get answers and find the right pastor, committee chair, elder, etc., but all too often, I was tossed from committee to pastor to another pastor. It was very frustrating, and all too often, I just had to make a decision without any clear “permission.” Every time, I was told that what I had decided was "fine.

In fact, just a few weeks before the tribunal and ousting, I had a letter from the Senior pastor thanking me for my work with the children.

My husband and I were accused of disregarding the authority in the church. Here are some examples of our “insubordination.” (Note–there will appear to be some timeline inconsistencies. Ignore them. I am listing these examples out of chronological order.)

(1) The church had bought heavily into Josh Harris’ new book I Kissed Dating Good bye, with its “Courtship Model” of dating. Rules were put in place that girls couldn’t sit with their boyfriends during youth activities. My husband and I questioned this–we met with the youth pastor and told him that we wanted our daughters to sit with their boyfriends and learn to worship and serve God together. (BTW, one of our daughters went on to marry her boyfriend, seven years later when they were in their twenties.) My husband and I had dated through high school, and were involved in many church ministries while we were dating.

We never actually told our daughter and her boyfriend to disobey the “rule.”

(2) Our other daughter was on the Leadership Team of the youth group. She asked the Youth Pastor if they could have a Youth Bible Study instead of just socials. He told her that no one would come.

When she was a Senior, she finally got fed up with a youth ministry that she saw as strictly a “social group.” She told them off during a meeting, accusing them of only wanting to “have fun.” She said that if they ever get interested in serving God and learning to know Him, to call her. Then she walked out and never came back to that youth group. She continued to attend church with us (parents), but didn’t associate with the youth group.

BTW, both my older and my younger daughter were ASKED by the VBS committee to teach a class during the last VBS that we ever did at that church. No other teenagers were put in charge of teaching a class. They were ASKED to teach by the VBS director, and they did a good job with their class.

(3) Both of my daughters were competitive figure skaters, and were members of an elite synchronized skating team (World class) in Chicago. Their practices were held every weekend from 5:30 a.m. til 1:00 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays. This meant, of course, that they missed the morning worship services and Sunday school at our church. (Keep in mind that there is no “obligation” for evangelical Protestants to attend any church services.) But they were both faithful to continue attending youth activities, and it was obvious from their behavior, attitude, and knowledge, that they were receiving good religious instruction and Bible training from their parents.

Nothing was ever said to us about the missed church, but we suspect that this is one of the reasons that the tribunal accused us of disregarding church authority.

1. My husband and I were concerned that our younger daughter, when she was a young teenager, didn’t have any friends in that church. She had friends when she was younger, but they had all left that church. So we went to one of the associate pastors and spoke with him about it.

This meeting with that pastor was used at the tribunal as an example of us of “criticizing the leadership” of the church."

(continued next post)

I have read and heard of that sort of thing… a deceptive person attains to a position of leadership and then starts removing the people of God … through lies and deception.

It is called a Jezebel spirit … it can be a man … or a woman … Jezebel is a term for a spiritual condition … it is not gender specific. It is very deceptive and very destructive.

 

[Roy5]

Roy the underlying foundation of Christianity is Christianity and the CC. The CC isn’t asking anyone to do anything expect understand the CCC [which was actually written by Justin Martyr] and accept the Grace given Sacrements. So the foundation of the CC remains the same as it did in the second century. All the rest is a pipe-dream.

Geez, what a Cross to bear that takes about a whole couple hours a week. If you chose to play in the Minor league, we wish you well. However we are playing in the Major league. And yes it requires a bit more focus. However, not all this drama you are proposing. Through you own words you are all over the map in Christianity and have somehow conceived the idea of what Christianity truly is through heretics of the church?

You are running, you can’t even find a church you are comfortable in and you are no youngster. However you somehow justify this constantly with “ANYTHING BUT THE CC”

I get the impression somewhere in your mind you know the truth.

Peace

 Hm! Quite the opposite. I find many churches that are comfortable. Indeed, that is my point. I have come to believe that it isn't all that important where we go to worship God. If we feel comfortable in the CC, great. That's the place to go. I know many Catholics who are not strict believers and even take issue with the church, but they still find comfort in Sunday mass. Fine. 

  In all honesty, I can worship in many churches, even non-Christian temples. Why? Because I think God is being sought and worshiped sincerely there, and the Lord is everywhere. I can even find the rituals of Buddhism and Hinduism and Sikhism - for example - very interesting. Ditto for Catholicism, which is why I attend mass. 

  Nevertheless, when it comes to many matters of doctrine and certain practices and/or positions on social issues I have moved away from Catholicism because of what I have come to regard as narrow-mindedness bordering on arrogance. This doesn't apply to everyone in the church (I certainly know that thousands of priests and others are humble and devoted servants of Christ), but it does describe the attitude exhibited by official Catholicism. They have an absolutism on matters which I think should be open to honest discussion, with room for honest differences of opinion.

 This 'one, true church' mantra, often accompanied by bitterness toward Protestantism and other expressions of faith, has increasingly troubled me over the years. My God simply isn't so small as to be contained fully in only one expression of religion. In fact, no religion is big enough or wise enough to have ultimate answers to many ultimate questions. "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face...." That beautiful chapter from I Cor. 13 ends by indicating that faith and hope are important, but that love is #1 in the eyes of our Creator and Redeemer. 

  I don't expect that many of CAF will agree with me, and that is fine. Different strokes for different folks. I do appreciate this opportunity to share views and read the opinions of others. My main thrust is in the direction of understanding among all those who believe in God, by whatever name the Lord is known. Wouldn't it be terrific if religion served as a bridge rather than a barrier. I believe it should do just that.

  So, in response to the question, I am finding it easier to be an independent Christian in my thinking, aware that there is much mortals will never know in this world, My faith in God is increased because of the awe I have for the marvel and miracle and mystery of Creation, and I don't need to know all the answers. Wasn't it Cardinal Newman who wrote that beautiful hymn which includes the words: "I do not ask to see the distant scene, one step enough for me"? 

  Mainline Protestantism appeals because it doesn't require that I give up this independence, that it permits me to question and even doubt. Such doubt relates to various doctrines, perhaps, but never to the majesty and mercy of God. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" 

  God bless everyone. No exceptions.

 

[CMatt25]

The parable of the Good Samaritan established that - among other Biblical texts. Jesus was asked: how can I inherit eternal life? Christ said nothing about theology.

Also see Matt 25:35-46. Neither did He there when He spoke of righteousness for eternal life.

 

[CMatt25]

Hm! Quite the opposite. I find many churches that are comfortable. Indeed, that is my point. I have come to believe that it isn’t all that important where we go to worship God. If we feel comfortable in the CC, great. That’s the place to go. I know many Catholics who are not strict believers and even take issue with the church, but they still find comfort in Sunday mass. Fine.

  In all honesty, I can worship in many churches, even non-Christian temples. Why? Because I think God is being sought and worshiped sincerely there, and the Lord is everywhere. I can even find the rituals of Buddhism and Hinduism and Sikhism - for example - very interesting. Ditto for Catholicism, which is why I attend mass. 

  Nevertheless, when it comes to many matters of doctrine and certain practices and/or positions on social issues I have moved away from Catholicism because of what I have come to regard as narrow-mindedness bordering on arrogance. This doesn't apply to everyone in the church (I certainly know that thousands of priests and others are humble and devoted servants of Christ), but it does describe the attitude exhibited by official Catholicism. They have an absolutism on matters which I think should be open to honest discussion, with room for honest differences of opinion.

 This 'one, true church' mantra, often accompanied by bitterness toward Protestantism and other expressions of faith, has increasingly troubled me over the years. My God simply isn't so small as to be contained fully in only one expression of religion. In fact, no religion is big enough or wise enough to have ultimate answers to many ultimate questions. "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face...." That beautiful chapter from I Cor. 13 ends by indicating that faith and hope are important, but that love is #1 in the eyes of our Creator and Redeemer. 

  I don't expect that many of CAF will agree with me, and that is fine. Different strokes for different folks. I do appreciate this opportunity to share views and read the opinions of others. My main thrust is in the direction of understanding among all those who believe in God, by whatever name the Lord is known. Wouldn't it be terrific if religion served as a bridge rather than a barrier. I believe it should do just that.

  So, in response to the question, I am finding it easier to be an independent Christian in my thinking, aware that there is much mortals will never know in this world, My faith in God is increased because of the awe I have for the marvel and miracle and mystery of Creation, and I don't need to know all the answers. Wasn't it Cardinal Newman who wrote that beautiful hymn which includes the words: "I do not ask to see the distant scene, one step enough for me"? 

  Mainline Protestantism appeals because it doesn't require that I give up this independence, that it permits me to question and even doubt. Such doubt relates to various doctrines, perhaps, but never to the majesty and mercy of God. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" 

  God bless everyone. No exceptions.

Excellent post as usual Roy. God bless you and everyone.

 

[Waiting]

(continued from last post)

BTW, we suspect that at some point, our younger daughter might have experienced some kind of sexual abuse at the church. When she reached middle school, she refused to go into the church unless I, her father, or her sister was with her. She wouldn’t go through the doors alone. When she started dating her boyfriend, she would go in with him and sit with him.

And she continually told us that we should quit that church.

Clues? What do you all think? Were we stupid? Blind fools? I think we were. I think we were so used to finding nothing but love and peace in our evangelical churches that we refused to see the demons that were patrolling the halls and sitting in the pews in that church. We just didn’t recognize evil when we saw it, because we had never been exposed to it in other churches.

When my husband and I came home from the tribunal and announced that we were ousted, our younger daughter started screaming (literally screaming, not just crying), and screamed out, “I TOLD YOU! ALL ALONG, I TOLD YOU THAT CHURCH IS EVIL, but you didn’t listen to me. I told you years ago that we should leave that church, but you wouldn’t leave. I TOLD YOU!”

This haunts me. I wish to God that we had listened, but then, we might not be Catholic. But I wish we could have become Catholic without our younger daughter suffering abuse.

Our younger daughter (and her husband) still do not attend a church. My older daughter stopped attending church entirely for two years, then after we became Catholic, she starte investigating the Catholic Church and converted after two years of study. She is a happy Catholic today, but still struggling with what happened at our evangelical church. She tells us that she is still tempted to walk into one of their worship services and start yelling, “How could you have treated our family so badly?! God have mercy on you all for the evil that you allowed to happen!”

So what do you think–should we be on Journey Home? Would this experience help others? Or is this experience just too frightening for a television audience?

I think that Marcus Grodi would love to hear your story. I doubt, though, that he would focus much on the problems that took you from the Protestant church, but on your journey from there to the Catholic Church. I would love to watch that program. I hope your younger daughter heals from the hurt she suffered earlier, and joins you in worship.

 

[CopticChristian]

I think that Marcus Grodi would love to hear your story. I doubt, though, that he would focus much on the problems that took you from the Protestant church, but on your journey from there to the Catholic Church. I would love to watch that program. I hope your younger daughter heals from the hurt she suffered earlier, and joins you in worship.

I would love to hear your story on Marcus Grodi. Marcus will help you in telling your story. Let us know if it is going that way.