Leaving the Catholic Church and Family Reaction

[Celia]

Hi, Austin. I’m 22, too. Nice to meet ya.

Before you leave the Church, I would encourage you to study the meaning behind what it is and what it means to be Catholic.

I was once in your place too. I was at a very low time in my life and I had only God to go to. I grew up Catholic and attended Catholic schools. I never felt a real deep connection to the church and the lure of “feel good” sermons in the local Protestant church seemed nice. But my feelings were based on emotions and not in the Truth of Christ’s church. Through some reading and studying I came back home, and I am in love with our Church. My faith has grown tremendously since then. I can’t believe how much I didn’t know about Catholicism, how awesome it really is.

Perhaps you’ll only skim over this post and just do your own thing anyway, and I guess that’s your decision, but I couldn’t let this thread go without posting and encouraging you to do some research before you renounce your Catholic faith. Anything taught in the Church is backed up by scripture… If you have questions, we’d be glad to help you.

If you decide to leave anyway, I don’t believe there is anything formal you can do to leave the church. Once you’re baptized Catholic, you’re Catholic. (well, in the Church’s eyes) You can be excommunicated, though, I think. The details on that are a little fuzzy for me, so I won’t confuse you.

It’s interesting that you’d come to a site for faithful Catholics and ask them how to leave the church! Maybe God is pushing you back in our direction? (Just maybe? )

 

[NotWorthy]

Austin83:

The Evangel church’s teachings come from God more than the Catholic faith. The Catholic faith gives the pope basically as much power as God and makes us believe that the God actually speaks through the pope.

I thought Jesus gave the pope that whole “binding and loosing” thing. “What you bind on earth is bound in heaven”. That’s pretty powerful. It’s not God, though, and we all understand that.

Austin83:

That is just one issue I have always disagreed with, I believe God speaks to us directly through the bible, through the scriptures, which is what my Evangel church teaches us, not through any individual here on Earth.

He doesn’t teach about Oral Traditions? That’s not very biblical.

Notworthy

 

[Celia]

Austin83:

Annie I do not want to get into a religious debate, but the Evangel church’s teachings come from God more than the Catholic faith. The Catholic faith gives the pope basically as much power as God and makes us believe that the God actually speaks through the pope. That is just one issue I have always disagreed with, I believe God speaks to us directly through the bible, through the scriptures, which is what my Evangel church teaches us, not through any individual here on Earth.

Trust me Annie, the only thing that has held me back this long was knowing I would crush my parents. That is the most difficult part because I love them so much, but now because of my new church I have a loving relationship with God, something I never felt or had before. I believe that my church is truly God’s church just as much as the Catholic church, maybe even more because they teach God’s teachings in the bible, unlike the Catholic faith that relies on the pope and the officials in Rome.

Oh, Austin. You have been so misinformed. Never would a Catholic believe that the pope had as much power as God. :nope:

Please, study the faith - the true faith, not catchphrases from people who THINK they know. They don’t.

 

[Austin83]

Actually I only posted this here because I didn’t know which board would be better, the Catholic or non-Catholic board. However I might post this on that board as well. As for always being considered a Catholic, I guess it’ll have to be in the church’s eyes, but I now proudly consider myself an Evangelist, just like you all are proud Catholics.

To clarify, I really didn’t mean that the pope had as much power as good, but that I disagreed that a man representing the religion would be given as much power as him. I still disagree with the notion that god speaks through the pope, which I know is a Catholic teaching.

 

[Austin83]

First of all yes I did post this on the Catholic religion board. I should’ve known they would try to convince me to reconsider, but at least they are trying.

Okay I just joined this forum and first I’ll introduce myself a little bit. I’m Austin, 22 years old, and I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church. My whole family is Catholic, I went to Catholic grade and high school, was raised to be a good Catholic guy. However I have never really felt at home in the Catholic faith, and as I have gotten older I have noticed many of the inaccuracies between what the scripture teaches us and what the Catholic church teaches us. I stopped attending mass regularly when I was about 20 years old because it felt more like a chore and a requirement than something I wanted to do. The Catholic faith to me felt so hollow and empty, I didn’t feel I had a connection with God at all. I would leave every mass empty, I just didn’t get anything out of it, it was just saying some prayers from memory every Sunday. About 6 months ago I started looking at other religions and asking friends about their religions. Finally, I went to a non-denominational Christian church. I knew the minute the pastor started talking that I had found God and had been born again. I was energized with the surmon and left knowing I had truly experienced God’s presense and his love, and it was an incredible experience. I had a very personal experience with the pastor who helped me communicate with God to release me of my sins, it was the most powerful moment of my life, and I truly felt that I had been saved.

I have been back several times since then and it just keeps getting better. I now plan on joining and becoming and attending weekly. Unlike the Catholic mass, I not only do not consider it a chore to attend mass, but I want to attend it. There is no doubt that I have found my church and the people I want to share my faith with.

This leads though to the difficult part of the process. First of all, while my friends and most of my family will probably accept my decision, I know my mom and dad will have a very difficult time accepting my decision. I know they might even try to convince me not to do it (that’s why I’m waiting until after I have officially left) but I know what I am doing is right. I am looking for some advice from others who have left their faith for another, how did you break the news and how did you comfort them? I am sure we have some on here who left the Catholic faith, how did you break the news? What did you say to them? I really want to start the process as soon as possible just to get the process over with and start my new life with God. I appreciate any help that anybody here can offer.

Austin

 

[Toni]

NotWorthy:

All the repetitive prayers? They teach me how to be a good Christian. The prayer of St. Francis is like a handbook on the teachings of Jesus. All those prayers of Thanksgiving? They teach me humility. You can’t reach honestly thank God for all He’s done for you and be boastful at the same time. Almost every prayer and ritual reaches back 2000 years and further.

Finally, are we trying to convince you otherwise? Of course we are! We wouldn’t be evangelists if we didn’t now, would we?

Notworthy

Yes those repetitive prayers have helped me out many times. Sometimes I run out of words. On top of it many of those prayers are biblical.

 

[OhioBob]

While I am sad that you have reached the decision that you have, I understand that when we are young, we have to find our own answers. Your parents won’t be happy, but if they see that you are truly seeking your own way, I suspect that they will accept that. Hopefully they, and you, will keep your differences from fracturing your family bond.

However, as an old fart, I think you will find that life brings experience and experience brings insight. If I were a betting man, I would bet that eventually that insight will reopen your eyes to the fullness of truth found in the Catholic church.

Take it from someone who has been there, eventually you will return home.

Until then, I wish you God’s peace on your journey.

 

[NotWorthy]

Yes, and look on the bright side. If this preacher does not prove to be the man you feel he is, you can always break off and join another church like people have done with 1000’s of other churches that taught “what the bible teaches” (how can that be, after all?).

Who would want to stay with a Church that hasn’t changed with the times and kept its teachings the same for so long?

I mean look at our opening greeting? “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” We’ve been using that greeting for the most part since Paul used it to greet the Phillipians. Can’t we try something new?

Notworthy

 

[ProudArmyWife]

Hi Austin

I thought a few minutes before posting. I know nothing I say will probably change your decision, which does break my heart too. I am a convert to the Catholic faith - so I have a bit of reverse happenings. Just a final point to ponder…

I think one of the things here is that, as Catholics, we believe going to Church is a time to worship our Savior not feel good about ourselves. It isn’t about us per se - which is why you don’t find too much chit-chat (at least I hope not!) prior to Mass. It’s about thanking the Lord for all he has done and us asking for forgiveness/help/understanding. It isn’t a celebration - it’s a rememberance and honor. We receive the holy Eucharist not because we like how it makes us feel, but because this is what Jesus told us to do - and we believe him. Many times in Protestant and non-denominational churches, services are devoted to making us feel good about Jesus and our belief in Jesus. Yes - the word is preached, but not in the way the first disciples believed. Jesus was a Jew and honored the reverence of the worship. Catholics are taking the lead from Him.

I hope I didn’t sound too preachy. I sincerely hope your choice leads you closer to God and our Lord. Just don’t forget your roots of the Catholic church. If you find a few things said at your new place of worship that you just want a Catholic opinion on, please feel free to stop by the CAForums and/or the Catechism. Please don’t assume that you know the Catholic position on a subject because you were ‘once’ Catholic (also, you may want to relook that Pope thing - you do have a few misconceptions but that isn’t the purpose of this). I can’t even say I know all the teachings of the Faith - which includes the Bible - which is why I am on this Forum! Remember that there is always an open door if you change your mind.

Peace be with you.
ProudArmyWife

 

[NotWorthy]

Toni:

Yes those repetitive prayers have helped me out many times. Sometimes I run out of words. On top of it many of those prayers are biblical.

You mean “Lord, wash away my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” might be from David?

“For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever” might be quoting form Psalms?

No!!!

Notworthy

 

[Celia]

Austin83:

Actually I only posted this here because I didn’t know which board would be better, the Catholic or non-Catholic board. However I might post this on that board as well. As for always being considered a Catholic, I guess it’ll have to be in the church’s eyes, but I now proudly consider myself an Evangelist, just like you all are proud Catholics.

To clarify, I really didn’t mean that the pope had as much power as good, but that I disagreed that a man representing the religion would be given as much power as him. I still disagree with the notion that god speaks through the pope, which I know is a Catholic teaching.

That’s kind of the same thing…the pope only has the ability to speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals. And they must be in accordance with the faith. For example, abortion is wrong, adultery is wrong, contraception is wrong, etc.

He does not have, and is not given, as much power as God. He shepherds the Church in the right direction, keeping it on the staright and narrow, so to speak. I don’t know what you mean about God speaking through the pope… I don’t see how that’s possible.

I’m sure this only scratches the surface of your questions. I’ll leave you alone now, only encouraging you once again to study the Truth of the Catholic church. ProudArmy Wife has some awesome thoughts in a post above for you. God bless ya.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Austin, is it the “belonging to other people” feeling that makes you long for the Evangelicals? Heaven knows that we Catholics have been considered “cold” and austere compared to the very outgoing, “God bless you, dearest brother/sister” Protestant types (my best friend is Protestant and I seriously considered her church over a three year period not too long ago).

While Catholics may not be as physically “demonstrative” as Protestants, a major reason is that the physical demonstration is really ALL the Protestant HAS. Not that I am knocking human love of neighbor, Austin, but that commandment has TWO parts, and the FIRST part is loving GOD with your whole heart, mind, and soul.

Your Protestant friends may have better music (in fact I KNOW they do ). They may have more people greeting you. Their warm and fuzzy sermons may leave you feeling overwhelming “love of neighbor” feelings.

BUT. . .

Your Protestant friends do NOT have God Himself present in the Eucharist. Right there, you have the opportunity every Sunday to witness the Last Supper and Good Friday, and the Easter Resurrection. . .and the chance to, as commanded in John 6, “Eat His Body, and Drink His Blood–He will abide in you, and you will have Life within you”>

Evangelical protestantism is “light” religion–all the good feelings, all the consciousness of being “religious”, all the hail-fellow-well-met greetings, all the trappings of doing things, all the random Bible verses which can be endlessly discussed because there is nobdy in AUTHORITY to make a final decision over what is right.

Protestants are like adolescents–and perhaps that is why you find them so agreeable? Adolescents are full of enthusiasm. Adolescents are all or nothing. Adolescents are questioning. Adolescents do not want anything to do with LIMITS, with AUTHORITY, with CONSEQUENCES for wrong.

The Catholic Church, to you, has become like your parents. You didn’t ASK to be born to your parents. You didn’t ASK to be Catholic. You didn’t ASK to have “some faith pushed down your throat”. So. . .you leap for what you confidently feel you can “Choose for yourself”. Something that isn’t “old”. Something that isn’t “full of rules”. Something that appeals to your emotions, because you are convinced, in all your hormonal glory (ah youth), that the only thing that really proves your faith is whether you are “moved” by what somebody has said.

It is entirely possible that every single thing that pastor said HAS BEEN SAID by your parish priest–but you weren’t listening. Novelty can be so much more enticing than than ritual. You probably won’t believe this, but 20 years from now, all that “novelty” will be the same “ritual” and you might find yourself one of the hundreds of thousands of bored “church shoppers” who go from church to church seeking that “happy feeling”, and being disappointed over and over when that feeling just doesn’t last.

Please, allow yourself time to think and time to IMPARTIALLY examine your Catholic faith. Do it with new eyes, as if you really did not know it—you will find that you very likely really DO NOT KNOW CATHOLICISM–and that you will like it very much when you do.

 

[Milliardo]

Austin83:

that I disagreed that a man representing the religion would be given as much power as him.

Then you should feel very uncomfortable about Moses as well, since he represented very much God during his time, and even afterwards really, when his influence is still very much felt among the Israelites.

I still disagree with the notion that god speaks through the pope, which I know is a Catholic teaching.

Then, like noted, you should disagree as well that God spoke through the prophets? But let us set this a little bit straight: do you really think the church you went to teaches that it talks through the Bible, or that the Bible speaks to you through the pastor? See, if what you claim is so, then wouldn’t you agree that you really don’t need a church and a pastor, but only the Bible? If that is the case then, why don’t you just stay at home with your Bible and read it? Why do you still need a church and a pastor?

 

[Austin83]

ProudArmyWife my question to you and anyone else is, why does honoring God and feeling good about ourselves have to be mutually exclusive? This is another reason I left, because of this belief. Church should be a celebration of your religion, of your strong belief in God. Without celebration of God and what he has done, what is the true joy in church? I would also like to comment on what several people have said, that it is all physical and their music is better. The last reason I joined is because their music is better and it is just physical. Anybody who thinks Evangel is all physical, then you don’t know what an Evangel service is all about, you haven’t experienced what makes it so enjoyable. And shouldn’t we celebrate God’s love with each other? You can honor God and celebrate what he has done at the same time, and it really brings a sense of empowerment and a new purpose coming out to spread the word about how great God is.

 

[SherryLynn9]

Austin83:

Actually I only posted this here because I didn’t know which board would be better, the Catholic or non-Catholic board. However I might post this on that board as well. As for always being considered a Catholic, I guess it’ll have to be in the church’s eyes, but I now proudly consider myself an Evangelist, just like you all are proud Catholics.

To clarify, I really didn’t mean that the pope had as much power as good, but that I disagreed that a man representing the religion would be given as much power as him. I still disagree with the notion that god speaks through the pope, which I know is a Catholic teaching.

Austin,

I grew up in the Baptist church… I fell away… many years later, God drew me to the Assembly of God Church, after a couple of years I went to a charismatic Lutheran church which wes really awesome. God’s presence was great in that place. I was on a journey TO the Catholic church. I became Catholic Easter 2005. I love God so much that I was open to being obedient to Him. The Holy Spirit led me to the Catholic Church. I love being a Chrisain Catholic. I cry for joy during the Our Father and all the wonderful memorized prayers.

Yours in Christ,
Sherry

 

[Milliardo]

Austin83:

Church should be a celebration of your religion, of your strong belief in God.

Isn’t the Mass a celebration in itself? Isn’t that why we come to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?

Without celebration of God and what he has done, what is the true joy in church?

Do we not feel joy at Mass? I know I do. If you see Mass as nothing more than a dry event, then you need to reorient yourself about your view of the Mass. What is skewed then isn’t the Mass, but how you understand it.

You can honor God and celebrate what he has done at the same time, and it really brings a sense of empowerment and a new purpose coming out to spread the word about how great God is.

Again, isn’t that what’s done at Mass–that we honour and celebrate God there?

 

[OhioBob]

While I am sad that you have reached the decision that you have, I understand that when we are young, we have to find our own answers. Your parents won’t be happy, but if they see that you are truly seeking your own way, I suspect that they will accept that. Hopefully they, and you, will keep your differences from fracturing your family bond.

However, as an old fart, I think you will find that life brings experience and experience brings insight. If I were a betting man, I would bet that eventually that insight will reopen your eyes to the fullness of truth found in the Catholic church.

Take it from someone who has been there, eventually you will return home.

Until then, I wish you God’s peace on your journey.

 

[ProudArmyWife]

Austin -

Why are you posting the same message on different threads? I think most of us are going to say the same thing. I guess that is another thing for being Catholic - we all have the same source

Blessings!

 

[gardenswithkids]

Austin-
Some people say 'once a Catholic, always a Catholic", but if you officially join another church I understand that does officially separate you from the Catholic Church. But I think you may have come here hoping for perhaps another “Catholic Answer”. I hope you take the opportunity that God gave you in coming to this sight and explore the faith you want to leave

I have seen and felt tremendous faith from Protestants who inspired me to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus. And I have sadly met many Catholics whose faith is lukewarm. I’ve also met lukewarm protestants and profoundly spiritual Catholics. The preacher who inspired you may have a dynamic relationship with Jesus, and I hope this inspires you to love Jesus more too. But before you leave the Catholic Church, I urge you to study both your Bible and the Catechism and pray earnestly that God lead you to the truth. I will pray for you.

 

[MMG]

You will be the first person I have heard of that left the faith after they supposedly studied it. It appears that you are in the “I” mode of what you want God to be. We all will be praying for you, because that is a hard position to be in. If there is one thing you should study about Catholism is the Mass and Eucharist. No sermon on earth can move a person as much if they truly knew and understood the sacrafice at mass. Mass is heaven on Earth!!!

One convert made a beautiful response regarding the mass.

It is truly Jesus’ ordained way to worship!!!