Longing for a simpler faith

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Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
 
So why are you posting this here? Do you want kudos or are you looking to be turned back to the Catholic Church?

I’m far from the model spokesperson for Catholicism (it’s been only slightly less than 6 months since I last attended Mass, too), but I can at least be fair to it and say that the level of complexity involved in it is no more or less than any other kind of Christianity. Things like saints, feast days, and even canon law are not at all impediments to faith. If they are for you, you are giving them weight beyond their proper appreciation. They are need to be there, but they are not there to paralyze or vex you.

If I were you would I would try another apostolic church and not get mixed up with “non-denominational” types. They’re pretty much syncretists wrapped in a thin veneer of the “me and my buddy Jesus” brand of Protestantism that makes a mockery out of ALL faith. If that’s what you mean by “simpler”, than I suppose you’re right, in the sense that it is simpler to just watch the Food Network than it is to cook a meal for yourself. After a while, you will eventually realize that you are starving.
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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I do hear what you are saying. Catholicism is very rich and steeped in ritual, symbolism, and the sacraments, and it does take a certain amount of understanding symbolism and its importance to appreciate it’s ment to take people into a deeper faith.

For those who “need” it simpler, Catholicism can be a turn off. For those of us who “need” it deeper, Catholicism is powerful and profound.

Good luck with your faith journey! 🙂
 
What drives most of those Non-Denominational churches are small groups. One of my biggest gripes about the RCC (yes, I am RC) is the lack of small groups or bible studies. So believe me. I do understand where you are.
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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I ended up in Lutheranism.

.
 
Sounds like your parish is dead. I’d go to a different one if I were you.

One of the reasons these groups seem simpler is because they believe that they have thrown off all tradition and believe that the bible alone has everything. The problem is the bible itself says otherwise, you do have to go elsewhere. In other words there is no context, and sure you can have a conversation without context, but in all likelyhood you’ll be dead wrong.
 
I don’t understand why you would want to leave for something simpler. Sure, there’s a lot to understand, and some of the doctrines can be a bit esoteric, but why is it impossible to have that close relationship with Jesus within the Catholic Church? The doctrines of Catholicism are pretty deep, but you don’t have to try to understand everything. Even the greatest saints didn’t understand everything about the faith. That’s kind of the point; it’s an unfolding mystery.
If it’s the lack of social life that’s causing you to leave, then try another parish. Fellowship is definitely something protestants have all over Catholics. I’d suggest you talk to your parish priest and tell him you’re thinking of leaving the faith, and the reasons. He could probably offer you some suggestions.
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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Hmmm. After reading some of the other posts, and re-reading your original post I am wondering.

Is it a simpler faith you are longing for? Or a social club?

It is a very fair statement to say that many Catholic parishes ARE indeed weak when it comes to fellowship. And that is a valid concern.

But if that really is the “only” reason you are searching elsewhere, I would stop and think and pray.

Jesus wasnt about social clubs or even fellowshipping. He was about salvation and redemption.

He was about holiness and getting closer to God the Father. He was about forgiveness of sin and healing.

I expect He, of all people, experienced the most loneliness, of all people. Whom did He really have to completely relate to besides God the Father?

Even His own disciples didn’t “get it” for a great deal of time after His resurrection and His going to the Father.

Just something to mull over.

How deep, or how shallow, do you want your faith to be?
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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hmmmm…well, consider this. God is an immortal being and we are all smaller than specs of dust compared to him, and yet he loves us. His understanding is much higher than ours. So of course the faith is complicated, because God is complicated. Catholicism acknowledges that and doesn’t run from the complications but tackles them head on. However, just because there is a complicated background does not mean it is not at all simple. Aquinas tells us that in the end all that matters is that we realize God loves us. So in a way yes it is complicated, but if you don’t want to focus on the complication you don’t have to, but when you need to defend the faith the writings and books are there for your disposal.

Now, though most non-denom groups say they never go against the Church, I realize that when I say to one of its members how many people go to mass they often respond by saying “Yes, but not many Catholics actually have a personal relationship with Christ”. This is a devious trick. They try to make it seem like our faith is dead because we don’t sing and dance like they do. They also assume that many Catholics do not have a personal relationship with God, which I believe to be terribly judgmental because you do not know the mind of people. What’s worse is that they tell this to children and youth who do not have their parents around to correct them. I’ve met many non-Christians who have a personal relationship with God, and non-practicing Catholics who do as well, it is just that their view of God is skewed by societal influences. Also note their circular logic. They claim that most Catholics do not have a personal relationship with God and yet when I tell them I do they seem surprised because I do not do as they do and sing and dance. The whole point of a personal relationship is that it is personal, it may manifest it different ways (but still produce good fruit), yet if it does not manifest in the way they want it to, its not valid.This too is a devious trick.
 
However, if your parish is truly dead find a new one. That’s what is great about the Church, there are no hard feelings. Or you could stay and try to help revitalize the parish. Again, no hard feelings. Either is acceptable.

Also note that alot of these non-denom groups will also tell kids (again a devious trick) that there are more faithful Christians than Catholics. Once again this is misleading. It is a fact that there are a large group of Catholics who do not fully practice their faith (i use the word fully because they may practice it in part). However, the Church still claims them as part of her body. When a non-denom stops practicing they are no longer considered Christian (and thus rejected from the fold, but this is a result of “faith alone”) and so it would seem like everyone in the small congregation is faithful and a large percent of them are practicing. The reality is that they have rejected those who are lapsed as being one of them (and for OSAS rejected them as ever being one of them in the first place). Again, they will not say this to children in front of their parents, or at least tend not to, and so children, who are less learned in the faith and not as analytical, would tend to believe them. They live on a system of acceptance and rejection, where as in the Catholic faith no matter what, once you are baptized you are never ever cut off from the Church and can come back to open arms and forgiveness, like the prodigal son. I believe this to be a much more loving teaching.
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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Middleman, I’m sad to hear that 😦

I thought maybe it would help if I shared a bit of my story with you.

I was baptized Eastern Orthodox as a child and later became non denom Protestant for pretty much the same reason you describe here. I thought it was all dead, ritual, too complex, all theology and Saints and stuff and I just wanted to know Jesus. So I started going to a Protestant church… until God lead me to Catholicism.

I can’t describe what I felt when I discovered the Eucharist. THIS is what I longed for as a Protestant! all those times I worshipped God at my church and wanted to be closer to Him… unknowingly, this is what I wanted… and it was in the Catholic Church across the street! I was surprised to find out that in the Eucharist, Jesus unites Himself with us in such a substantial, intimate way… NOTHING I ever experienced in the Protestant church was like this. And I went to youth group, Sunday services, services, “revivals”, etc… all those times I felt God’s presence, they were like 1% of what I found in the Eucharist. That’s why whenever I hear someone say they want to leave the Catholic Church, I have to ask them… are you sure you know what you will be missing, if you leave 😦 have you ever read the writings of the Saints and how they spoke of the Eucharist? If you haven’t, here’s something: catholictradition.org/Classics/imitation4-1.htm#1

we literally can’t find this anywhere else… God is everywhere spiritually, but Christ’s Body is only in Heaven and in the Eucharist. Have you ever been to Adoration?

do you know the song “I can only imagine”. It’s a Protestant song I think, and it says - we can only imagine meeting Jesus face to face. But as Catholics, we don’t have to imagine… the only reason people don’t all experience Him in the Eucharist, is because not everyone believes/tries/prays for it… some people just go through the motions and never understand what their faith is all about. But the Saints did… and look at what they were like! that’s what the Eucharist does to people. It makes them fall in love with God.

Protestants do tend to be more exteriorly expressive… but that doesn’t mean Catholics are “dead”. I think sometimes in Church I look bored or asleep, but really I’m praying. We just have a more contemplative approach. But if your or your family like it more ‘expressive’, have you ever looked into the Catholic charismatic renewal?

I go to university, and I joined a Catholic group on campus… and I’ve met MANY enthusiastic Catholics there, who are so faithful and are a great encouragement in my life

mainly what I’m saying is… I left the Sacraments, and God drew me back, and I saw that even with all the enthusiasm/excitement of evangelical Protestantism, there’s MORE grace in the Catholic Church…more grace, more spirituality, (though less emotionalism) and of course more solid doctrine. By the time I received my first Eucharist in the Church, I saw how much I missed the Sacraments. (from the time I was Orthodox.)

If you want a simpler approach… you don’t have to study the Catechism and debate liturgical norms and stuff… you can just go and receive Jesus, go to Adoration, pray 🙂 that’s basically what I do, and it’s had a great effect on my life.

I hope you won’t leave the Church. But if you do, I hope God brings you back because though at first evangelical churches are exciting, that excitement wears out over time. I got tired of praise and worship and preaching but I know I can’t get tired of the Eucharist.

I’m sorry if my post came off as a bit strong:o

God bless
 
I agree with the others, what if you find another parish? 🙂

or go on a Catholic retreat or something?

(I had some friends who went on Cursillo and loved it)

I think that the Catholic faith can be simple for those who want it simple, and complex for those who want it complex. It has everything for everyone… you just have to look into it deeper 🙂
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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I understand where you are coming from with your children. Many Christian Churches are doing a great job getting kids excited to be followers of Christ. Why would we want to deny this to our children? How can we? I think that I can see the benefit of having children excited about attending Church even though it is not our “home” Church. We have been attending a Methodist Church for a while now and my children are excited about going to Church on Sunday morning and look forward to Church/Youth Group/Children’s Group on Wednesday. All I can say is “Praise God!”.

I honestly don’t understand why someone earlier down played the importance of Christian fellowship.

Merry Christmas!
 
Many Christian Churches are doing a great job getting kids excited to be followers of Christ. Why would we want to deny this to our children?
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I understand what you’re saying, but as Catholics we believe that there’s one Church, and the Sacraments are really important…

I have many Catholic friends (my age: early 20s) who are really excited about their faith, but they didn’t go to Protestant churches 🙂

there are opportunities for Catholic youth to grow in their faith… I don’t know about high school students cause I wasn’t Catholic when I was in high school, but there are many opportunities for university students… for example, in Canada, there’s the CCO…I went on one of their conferences last year, and it was amazing.
ccocanada.ca/
 
Monica4316 said:
I understand what you’re saying, but as Catholics we believe that there’s one Church, and the Sacraments are really important…

I have many Catholic friends (my age: early 20s) who are really excited about their faith, but they didn’t go to Protestant churches 🙂

there are opportunities for Catholic youth to grow in their faith… I don’t know about high school students cause I wasn’t Catholic when I was in high school, but there are many opportunities for university students… for example, in Canada, there’s the CCO…I went on one of their conferences last year, and it was amazing.
ccocanada.ca/
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Hi Monica,

From what I gather from your post is that you are a convert to the Catholic Church-- am I correct? You had the choice to become a Catholic, and I would expect you to be excited about sharing your faith in Jesus and also sharing your love for the Catholic Church.

I hope that you understand that other Churches also take the Sacraments seriously.

Merry Christmas!
 
emeraldcoast said:
Hi Monica,

From what I gather from your post is that you are a convert to the Catholic Church-- am I correct? You had the choice to become a Catholic, and I would expect you to be excited about sharing your faith in Jesus and also sharing your love for the Catholic Church.

I hope that you understand that other Churches also take the Sacraments seriously.

Merry Christmas!
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Hi Emeraldcoast 🙂 I understand this. It however is Catholic teaching that only Catholics and Orthodox have the Eucharist (because of Apostolic Succession). I know you would disagree, I’m not going to argue that, but I’ll just say that as a Catholic I’m trying to follow the Church’s teachings on this.

It might also help to know that I used to be non denominational Protestant, and my church taught that Communion is entirely symbolic… they do not believe in the Sacraments. Many Catholics who leave the Church, become evangelical… and are not taught the Sacraments anymore.

Merry Christmas to you too!
 
Monica4316 said:
Hi Emeraldcoast 🙂 I understand this. It however is Catholic teaching that only Catholics and Orthodox have the Eucharist (because of Apostolic Succession). I know you would disagree, I’m not going to argue that, but I’ll just say that as a Catholic I’m trying to follow the Church’s teachings on this.

It might also help to know that I used to be non denominational Protestant, and my church taught that Communion is entirely symbolic… they do not believe in the Sacraments. Many Catholics who leave the Church, become evangelical… and are not taught the Sacraments anymore.

Merry Christmas to you too!
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I totally agree with your post.👍

Merry Christmas!
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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I experienced much of those same things myself a few years ago. I and my wife became Anglicans and were received into the Anglican church. We have never looked back. I know now what it is to grow in your faith in Christ and actually see how it is one grows over the years. I am proud and very happy to be bringing my son up as a young Anglican.
 
Middleman said:
Our family has been invited to a breakfast at the small community church where my teenagers attend a non-denominational youth group. Sadly, our parish is lacking in youth activities. My teenagers are totally turned off to the Catholic faith. My daughter tells me that other Christians are more enthusiastic about God and Jesus. She thinks that most people in our church are dead in their faith. She says the youth group never says anything negative about the Catholic faith, by the way. I believe her on that, she’s a very forthright young lady. In actuality, our parish does seem dead.

Even though I’ll always love aspects of the Catholic faith and will always consider myself Catholic, I think it’s too complicated. I’ve read a lot here at this site that confirms that thought. I really don’t want to deal with so much complication in my relationship with God right now. I don’t feel like dragging my children to Mass anymore. We haven’t gone to Mass much in the last 6 months. I think our family will be looking for a simpler faith.
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Middleman,

I have never understood people who complain about their parish or church lacking something and throw in the towel. My question, what are you doing to make the parish better? As most Catholic Priest are spread thin, have you gone to the priest with your concerns and voluntered to help? As a priest myself, I am/was constantly looking for laity to help me in the parish.
Have you tried, or is it an option to try another parish in town? In my town, some Catholic churches do not have any youth and others are up to their ears in kids and youth. All happy and active.

How is catholicism complicated? In your opinion. I for one like structure and the help, as an evangelical protestant, the anything goes mentality bothered me.

Non-denominational Christianity is simpler in a way, but just as structured and can be just as complicated as catholicism. Be careful thinking it will be better in a non-catholic church. Make sure you are being lead by the Holy Spirit and not your emotions.

May the Lord guide you in your discernment.

Fr.Mark
ACNA
 
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