Islam overtakes Catholicism: Something must be done!

[Dempsey1919]

Islam overtakes Catholicism as world’s largest religion

timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article3653800.ece

Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism to become the world’s largest single religious denomination, according to L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

In an interview with the paper Monsignor Vittorio Formenti, compilier of the Annuario Pontificio, the Vatican yearbook, said “For the first time in history, we are no longer at the top: Muslims have overtaken us.” He said that figures for 2006 showed that Catholics accounted for 17.4 per cent of the world population while Muslims accounted for 19.2 per cent.

One of the main reasons for the growth of Islam is that more people are converting from other faiths. While birth rates do play a role, it is important to remember that more Catholics are converting to Islam every year. I find this very troubling.

We as Catholics have a duty to evangelise. If we believe that we possess the truth, then surely we should make it a big part of our lives to share that truth with the world!

Something must be done to prevent Catholics from leaving, and to encourage others to convert. I must admit that I don’t have any experience with evangelisation. What is the best way to evangelise?

We must do something to halt the advance of Islam, and more importantly, we must make it our mission to convert the world to Catholicism.

What can we do to evangelise?

 

[jdnrite01]

Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism to become the world’s largest single religious denomination, according to L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

This is like comparing apples with oranges. Islam is not a single denomination; There are the major sects such as Sunni and Shia. Most Sunni Muslims follow Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki or Shafii, while most Shia Muslims follow the jaafari school of thought. There are a variety of smaller sects also, and a dozen or so “schools of though.”

 

[ckempston]

Islam overtakes Catholicism as world’s largest religion

timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article3653800.ece

One of the main reasons for the growth of Islam is that more people are converting from other faiths. While birth rates do play a role, it is important to remember that more Catholics are converting to Islam every year. I find this very troubling.

We as Catholics have a duty to evangelise. If we believe that we possess the truth, then surely we should make it a big part of our lives to share that truth with the world!

Something must be done to prevent Catholics from leaving, and to encourage others to convert. I must admit that I don’t have any experience with evangelisation. What is the best way to evangelise?

We must do something to halt the advance of Islam, and more importantly, we must make it our mission to convert the world to Catholicism.

What can we do to evangelise?

I’m sure Islam surpassed Catholicism long ago. Those numbers are likely inflated by the fact that a large number of Catholics are Catholic in name only.

But, to the original question, I’m not Catholic, although I am taking it under consideration; doesn’t it take like a year to actually become Catholic? I would think that process could be streamlined. The Ethiopian Eunuch didn’t take a year to convert…

 

[Paul2274]

I think teaching our children the right way would be a good start. If we did we could put a dent in the number of young adults that leave the church… 50% of catholics ages 20-35 leave the church!
That is something big that could be done.

 

[aymanem]

But, to the original question, I’m not Catholic, although I am taking it under consideration; doesn’t it take like a year to actually become Catholic? I would think that process could be streamlined.

It takes a year to become a catholic because the Church has to make sure the catechist knows the traditions and teachings of the Church. You have to know when to bow, how to say the creed and other prayers, most of the year is also meant for you to reflect on your past thoughts and beliefs and to grow closer to our Lord Jesus and see the glory in the eucharist. Confirmation of all RCIA catechists is done in the easter vigil every year. Being a Catholic is not just a title. By being a Catholic we are the followers of the True Bible, we follow the sacraments, we follow the commandmants, we spread the gospel(sadly many catholics fail in understanding their jobs here, its not just for the priests to do, its for all of us to go out and be ambassadors of our God), we help our community. Since we are all a part of the Body of Christ we are supposed to be similar to a family, if one member is falling short we must help them get back up and continue. I am yet to be a Catholic, i still have to sign up for RCIA but i understand the Church’s reason for keeping us a year. I pray that you will see that the Church does this only for your benefit and i hope you will consider signing up for RCIA.

Good Luck, and God Bless

 

[Dempsey1919]

I think teaching our children the right way would be a good start. If we did we could put a dent in the number of young adults that leave the church… 50% of catholics ages 20-35 leave the church!
That is something big that could be done.

I agree that preventing apostacy would be a good start. But how would we do this? How could we as Catholics ensure that all young people know the faith. Something must be wrong with the current system. How can we improve it?

 

[ckempston]

I agree that preventing apostacy would be a good start. But how would we do this? How could we as Catholics ensure that all young people know the faith. Something must be wrong with the current system. How can we improve it?

Well, as an “outsider” considering coming to the Catholic church, I can tell you what the impression is of many non-Catholics I know. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” That doesn’t seem to describe the Catholic church’s teachings. Childlike faith also wouldn’t seem to necessitate the definition of “homoousious,” “Transubstantiation,” or a number of other things.

As a disclaimer, let me just say that I’m not claiming those are necessarily good reasons, or that there are not explanations for why things are the way they are in the Catholic church. I’m not trying to raise a debate about these subjects; HOWEVER, this is the impression that many outsiders have: Catholicism seems complicated and contradictory to the Bible at times. As a potential convert (or revert), I’m trying to reconcile all these things in my mind, and it is not easy. As far as “improving” it, there may be ways, but you “can’t unring a bell.”

 

[stbruno]

Well, as an “outsider” considering coming to the Catholic church, I can tell you what the impression is of many non-Catholics I know. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” That doesn’t seem to describe the Catholic church’s teachings. Childlike faith also wouldn’t seem to necessitate the definition of “homoousious,” “Transubstantiation,” or a number of other things.

As a disclaimer, let me just say that I’m not claiming those are necessarily good reasons, or that there are not explanations for why things are the way they are in the Catholic church. I’m not trying to raise a debate about these subjects; HOWEVER, this is the impression that many outsiders have: Catholicism seems complicated and contradictory to the Bible at times. As a potential convert (or revert), I’m trying to reconcile all these things in my mind, and it is not easy. As far as “improving” it, there may be ways, but you “can’t unring a bell.”

I hope, we who are Catholic can welcome you home fully very soon. I think the best bet…is to pick up the Catholic Catechism. Every page you turn will be fully explained with Bible passages noted for each dogma of our church as well as our beliefs on social justice, sacraments etc. It only seems complicated because picking up our cross and carrying it…means just that. But when we carry our cross, Jesus lightens the load tremendously for us. Just check out the communion of saints and you will see what I mean.

 

[aymanem]

It only seems complicated because picking up our cross and carrying it…means just that. But when we carry our cross, Jesus lightens the load tremendously for us. Just check out the communion of saints and you will see what I mean.

Amen!

God Bless

 

[vee8]

Im in my 20s and like someone else posted a lot of people in my age group have fallen away. I fell away for several years because I was ignorant but am back now through the grace of God and learning. Many of my peers are still ignorant though because they were simply never taught the basic truths and have not sought to learn more on their own. So the first thing that should be done is for people to go back to basics, learn what Rome says and follow it, end liturgical abuses, end using their own interpretations and follow Vatican documents.

 

[Rolltide]

Well, as an “outsider” considering coming to the Catholic church, I can tell you what the impression is of many non-Catholics I know. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” That doesn’t seem to describe the Catholic church’s teachings. Childlike faith also wouldn’t seem to necessitate the definition of “homoousious,” “Transubstantiation,” or a number of other things.

As a disclaimer, let me just say that I’m not claiming those are necessarily good reasons, or that there are not explanations for why things are the way they are in the Catholic church. I’m not trying to raise a debate about these subjects; HOWEVER, this is the impression that many outsiders have: Catholicism seems complicated and contradictory to the Bible at times. As a potential convert (or revert), I’m trying to reconcile all these things in my mind, and it is not easy. As far as “improving” it, there may be ways, but you “can’t unring a bell.”

I felt that this post of mine from another thread was relevant:

Somebody once said that the brilliance of Catholicism is that it’s simple enough for the least of us to understand, and yet for those who want to delve into it’s depths, the most brilliant could study a lifetime and never learn everything about it. At it’s core, Catholicism is relatively easy. Worship the Triune God, love one another as God has loved us, avoid mortal sin, and pray. Everything else is really just to help us achieve all of that better.

It’s not that it’s more difficult than being Protestant… it’s more rich.

 

[Feedmysheep]

I’ve read reports that cite Islam’s hardline approach to morals as the most attractive thing to converts. They appreciate the fact that the religion doesn’t bow to moral relativism or cultural fads. It claims absolute truths and doesn’t water down those truths to suit people’s diverse sensibilities.

So, how to combat that? I don’t think that evangelization is the key. I used to live in Dearborn, Michigan, which has the highest concentration of Muslims outside the Middle East, and never once did I see Islamic evangelization going on. People were drawn to the religion because of the clearly perceived sense of absolute certainty in the “rightness” of Islam.

The solution I see is to return the sense of a Catholic identity to Catholics. Return to an emphasis on the Church being the Fullness of the Truth. Properly and consistently teach our children what the faith really teaches, without compromise and without shame. No more watering down catechism or RCIA classes, no more adults whose last bit of religious education was to be Confirmed.

Once we Catholics tend to our house, the neighbors will see where the grass really is greener. We won’t have to evangelize, since the strength of our Faith spoke louder than our words ever could.

 

[ckempston]

I hope, we who are Catholic can welcome you home fully very soon. I think the best bet…is to pick up the Catholic Catechism. Every page you turn will be fully explained with Bible passages noted for each dogma of our church as well as our beliefs on social justice, sacraments etc. It only seems complicated because picking up our cross and carrying it…means just that. But when we carry our cross, Jesus lightens the load tremendously for us. Just check out the communion of saints and you will see what I mean.

I actually have been reading the Catechism and a lot of other Catholic writings, and while I agree with a large majority of the theology, I have a problem reconciling several things. Since I’m not trying to hijack this thread and go totally off topic, I’ll discuss those elsewhere. But, from the potential “convert’s” perspective, it doesnt’ seem as simple as you’re making it out.

 

[ckempston]

I felt that this post of mine from another thread was relevant:

Somebody once said that the brilliance of Catholicism is that it’s simple enough for the least of us to understand, and yet for those who want to delve into it’s depths, the most brilliant could study a lifetime and never learn everything about it. At it’s core, Catholicism is relatively easy. Worship the Triune God, love one another as God has loved us, avoid mortal sin, and pray. Everything else is really just to help us achieve all of that better.

It’s not that it’s more difficult than being Protestant… it’s more rich.

“avoid mortal sin” - a subject with reems of paper written on it, and hardly an uncomplicated matter. I’m not trying to be combative, or disagreeable just for the sake of disagreeing, but avoiding mortal sin doesn’t seem to be such a clear-cut topic. Again, not trying to get off topic, but just pointing out that, to an outsider, these are hardly uncomplicated subjects.

 

[Dempsey1919]

The solution I see is to return the sense of a Catholic identity to Catholics. Return to an emphasis on the Church being the Fullness of the Truth. Properly and consistently teach our children what the faith really teaches, without compromise and without shame. No more watering down catechism or RCIA classes, no more adults whose last bit of religious education was to be Confirmed.

Excellent post! From what I can see, the Church has never changed any teachings concerning the need for evangelisation or in regards to itself as possessing the fullness of truth. What I can’t understand is why so many within the Church seem to think that things have changed?

Maybe the problem is caused by a lack of understanding, especially concerning the teachings of Vatican II. Many people have no idea what Vatican II actually taught; they prefer to accept what others say without reading the documents themselves.

I would like to see a far greater emphasis placed on Catechism. However, before we do that, we need Catechism teachers who know what they’re talking about.

 

[medallionsnijme]

i agree that more people need to teach their children the Truth. they need to go to Church themselves as a family and ensure that their children and families keep growing stronger in the faith and dont waiver. the Rosary is another powerful weapon, and most especially, the Mass. pray for those who have converted and for the conversion of those who have always been muslim. (i myself was muslim at one point in my journey home to Catholicism and i wouldnt trade my faith in Christ for anything!). more people need to be active followers of the faith. a lot of people left from bad experiences from childhood (or adulthood, like my parents) and they think the whole Church is bad because of negative experiences in one place. thats not true. i think we need to all be a light and shine for those who dont that maybe they will get their “shine on”

pray and love and lead by example and NEVER give up! the gates of hell will never prevail upon Christ’s Church!

 

[aymanem]

amen

 

[Contarini]

I’m sure Islam surpassed Catholicism long ago. Those numbers are likely inflated by the fact that a large number of Catholics are Catholic in name only.

And there are no Muslims in name only?

But, to the original question, I’m not Catholic, although I am taking it under consideration; doesn’t it take like a year to actually become Catholic? I would think that process could be streamlined. The Ethiopian Eunuch didn’t take a year to convert…

The full RCIA process takes at least a year. But that is designed for unbaptized people coming to Christianity for the first time. Catholic parishes have the freedom to adapt this process as they see fit in the case of baptized Christians coming into Catholicism, and in fact they are encouraged not to put Christian inquirers through the full RCIA. Many parishes do in fact make everyone go through the full process (because it’s simpler to have a uniform program for everyone, and perhaps also because our culture makes people very sensitive about being treated “differently”–in the RCIA program I was part of in 1999, one unbaptized person got quite upset that he had to be in the program longer than those of us who were baptized, because he claimed this made him feel inferior). Others don’t. It’s up to the local priests and/or lay catechists.

I question whether we can take specific instances in Acts as paradigmatic for how converts should be received into the Church. But as a matter of fact one could argue that many of the conversions recorded in Acts (such as that of the eunuch) were more like conversions of Protestants to Catholicism than like conversions of uncatechized non-Christians, because the way had been paved by Judaism (where do you think the eunuch got a copy of Isaiah?). Of course, there are other cases where people who seem to have been completely new to Biblical faith were baptized right away, such as the jailer at Philippi (and his household–mustn’t forget that handy household!). So as I said, I don’t think Acts is meant to lay down exactly how these things should be done (as time went on, Christians became aware of the danger of shallow conversions–even in Acts you have the case of Simon Magus). It’s a record of how things were done in the fervor and excitement of the Apostolic Age. And in some missionary circumstances things were done that way later as well–St. Francis Xavier, for instance, baptized lots of people with almost no catechesis, because he didn’t know when he might pass that way again. (Though he has been criticized for this.)

Edwin

 

[rotlex]

I think teaching our children the right way would be a good start. If we did we could put a dent in the number of young adults that leave the church… 50% of catholics ages 20-35 leave the church!
That is something big that could be done.

Yes, there is a LOT that could be done. I found this thread this morning, and can relate to it heavily after a conversation my wife and I were having at dinner last night. Our discussion was around the closing of numerous parishes in our area due to lack of parishioners, and funds. (I live in the Diocese of Allentown PA area).

I love the church, and so does my wife. However, her and I get into sometimes “heated” discussions regarding the future of the church, it’s past, and well, just things in general. I have to say that normally, I tend to defend the churches position, but frankly, I’m seeing her points more and more. Attendance is down, parishes in our area are closing, and well, things do not appear good. Her explanation? Change is needed in big, big ways. Her primary reasons are many, but her biggest gripes are the lack of a sense of “community” amongst the church.

What I mean by the above is difficult to explain. In a nutshell, other religions, as well as other denominations, seem to have a draw that the Catholic church does not. For example. Our daughter recently attended a friends of ours churches vacation bible school. This was at a protestant\fellowship church. She had a blast, learned a lot of neat songs, did a lot of fun things, and wants to go back next year. The parents and children we met there seemed to WANT to be there. We learned quite a few things that we thought were great ideas to keep children more interested in not only attending the VBS, but learning about God and worship. For example, while their normal Sunday mass\worship is happening, they offer a children’s learning class during that time. Our parish? They have a glass enclosed room in the back of the church for people with young children. (I’m guessing to keep the noise down if they dare to speak or talk during the mass). I’m sure some will say we need to teach our kids the proper order of things, the meaning of the mass etc., but I think it’s a little more important to get them interested first, rather than turn them into the typical drone you see sitting in the pews each Sunday morning. (I’m talking kids in the 3 to say 6 year old range here).

Don’t get me wrong. I love the mass, BUT, it really disheartens me when all I see on Sunday mornings are folks older than my grandparents coming in, sitting down, and going through the same motions they have for the past 60+ years. NOTHING is being done to bring people back, or keep them for that matter. I’m not saying we need to turn evangelical protestant here, not at all, but I am saying we need to be more in touch with the actual community. Maybe we should have a look at the local Jewish communities. Not only do they worship together, play together, and well, do almost everything together, but they support each other in full. Why is that? Why do they seem like a true family. I don’t know, but I wish I could find the answer.

I mentioned above our daughters attendance at the VBS. Some may ask why she did not attend our own parishes VBS. Short answer, we didn’t even know about it. Like many other things, it seems you need to be a member of some secret society in order to get the inside scoop on anything. (Basically, the info was only sent out to parents of children who attend the parish school).

I guess what I’m getting at in this ramble is I see things in other religions\denominations that I like. To the point of leaving the Catholic church? No, of course not, but I CAN see why many are, and have. I see so many arguments and discussions on these forums about things like not changing this, or that, or whatever. Yes, you need to stick with tradition and teachings, no, you need not change the mass, but you DO need to start figuring out what all these other “religions” are doing right. Otherwise, you are going to be left alone at the alter.

 

[rotlex]

Just following up on my own rant there, and apologizing for rambling so long.

I just wanted to get a point across on my feeling on things as it has been bothering me for some time. I truly fear that things are not going well in regards to Catholics, at least in my area. Sure, there are a lot of us listed as registered out there, but how many are REALLY actively involved in the church, community etc.

I do not mean to come across as someone who is looking to leave the church, quite the contrary, I’m someone who wants to see it grow and become even stronger. I just don’t see that happening though. I tend to go off on the whole “community” thing, and it may seem as though I’m more interested in that, than say worship and the mass itself, when that is not the case. I simply believe that we first need to get people interested in attending, by any means possible, and then nurture them and help them along the way.

Oh, also, in regard to my community involvement statements, I mentioned in my first post the Jewish community. I wanted to add, as this thread started out asking about Islam, that I see that

Again, sorry for the big, ramble in my previous post, but at times there is so much I wish to say, and frankly, I’m not very good at getting it out at times!