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The bible is only a book without any authority over Catholic Church. It was the catholic church who made the bible and how it must be correctly interpreted“We only believe what is clearly stated in the Bible, Catholics believe in Tradition and man-made rules.”
Jesus sacrifice as our savior, works a an Infinite Merit to forgife our sins. The saints also contribute with merits to others“We worship Jesus, Catholics worship Mary and the Saints.”
Here is one that I like most, it makes me remember Genesis and Original sin : vainglory, self-pride, self-conceit“We believe that God alone forgives sins. Catholics have to go to a priest to forgive sins.”
I think a serious study needs to be done. Without the facts of the problem there can be no solution. A comment like the one below doesn’t help the situation. It sounds flip and smug. It is not a way to influence Catholics to search deeper into their faith. It sounds like a Hollywood sound bite from a bad movie.Someone could interpret the article’s data thus: the least serious Catholics tend to leave the Catholic Church, and the most serious Protestants tend to gravitate towards it.
That’s probably a tendentious reading, and it begs more than a few questions, but it matches up with tons of real-world examples that I’ve encountered. Wonder if there’s something to it.
Some are finding the truth, some can’t deal with the truth.
Hi notself,That was a very interesting article. I wish it had more independent references on why people leave the RCC and why ministers from other denominations are joining. Without independent references some of the conclusions are a bit weak.
Some lay people have left the RCC because of recent scandals and because of how the scandals were handled by the RCC. I would think that those who fall into this category would join a denomination close to that of the RCC such as the Anglican Church.
I do agree that Evangelical Churches have a strong pull on Catholics with children and with young couples. I have in my family, nieces and nephews who have left the RCC for Evangelical Churches because of the family oriented program of activities offered by the Evangelical Churches.
The Pew study on Religion in America shows that American Catholics have been leaving the RCC in alarming numbers. The loss of membership in the RCC is over 25% and it would be even larger if Hispanic immigrants had not made up for some of the loss.
Ministers from other denominations may be joining the Church because they seek the financial security offered by the Church and if they are married, they can continue to be married. In Protestant denominations, the salaries of ministers are paid from the collection plate. If the minister is not well liked, has poor fund raising skills, or has a very small congregation, his income may not be enough to support him and his family. The above is just speculation on my part. The article does not really support the numbers of ministers who are joining the RCC nor does it support the reasons for their change. It offers only anecdotal comments.
It is an interesting article but more research needs to be undertaken to support its conclusions. Without well documented studies, the RCC in America may continue to lose membership.
Very true. While some Protestant denominations can still carry some residual Catholic-ness with it, the more it sheds of Catholic Tradition, the more it sheds Christianity. Until you get to the Unitarian Universalist Church, which is just a fancy way of saying “Whatever.”Nietzche said that Reformation was the beginnig of the death of Christianity.
Atheist Christ Hitchens call himself an Atheist Protestant. Saying that his Atheism carries the Reformation to the logical end.
The Reformers during each generation began to question more and more each of the CC teachings. Hitchens says his Atheism carries Protestantism tendency to the logical end. Question God, Jesus and the Bible.
That was exactly Nietzches point.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is doing a bit of New Springtime housecleaning - getting rid of the dross, selling off or throwing away that which is broken and useless, getting rid of the dust, washing the whole house clean, and polishing up the pure silver and gold.Someone could interpret the article’s data thus: the least serious Catholics tend to leave the Catholic Church, and the most serious Protestants tend to gravitate towards it.
That’s probably a tendentious reading, and it begs more than a few questions, but it matches up with tons of real-world examples that I’ve encountered. Wonder if there’s something to it.
Please God, may this be true!down here at ground level here’s what I see. Catholic parishes in my city are packed, and growing more packed every year. our RCIA programs are full of protestants coming home. all I can say is, if 25% of American Catholics have gone to sects, it probably is a good thing, because we wouldn’t have room for them if thy stayed.
of course I believe they will be back, and will bring some of their compatriots with them. They are like seeds, cast abroad. They will learn and grow, and when they come back home tehy will bring a new fire and spirit with them. we have much to learn from our protestant brethren.
I** think this is all a work of God**,
How do you know what is in the minds of other or for that matter what they hold in their hearts?Hi notself,
The Lay people that are leaving the Catholic Faith are people who was not truly faithful Catholic from the begining did not believe in the full teachings of the Catholic Church therfore they left.
As for the names of the Protestant Ministers who became Catholic search in google you will find many many names.
Ufamtobie
Hi Notself,How do you know what is in the minds of other or for that matter what they hold in their hearts?
I am sure that there are ministers who converted to the RCC, but they do not have to take a vow of celibacy. They could still be married. The number of Catholics wanting to be priests has dropped so precipitously that some monasteries are in danger of closing.
The real issue is the Church has lost a significant portion of its membership. The number would be even larger if we had not has so many Hispanic immigrants to this country. I think it would be wise of the RCC to perform a study to find out the reasons people are leaving the Church. The reason may be that these people are unschooled in their faith. What should the RCC do about the situation? Should they just let the attrition continue with the excuse that it is all the fault of the person leaving?
Hi