Non-Catholic Christians - What Keeps You From Catholicism?

[DL82]

I hear a lot of arguments for why people don’t want to come into the Catholic Church, some of them are fundamental arguments about our doctrine and theology (particularly the arguments from more traditional protestant denominations), but others are more difficulties with imperfections in the Church’s earthly form.

I’ve posted this as a poll of several popular reasons I’ve heard, some of which used to apply to me before my conversion. Please tick all that that apply.

An eleventh option:
“I think the Catholic Church is the ideal, but I don’t feel strongly enough about it, and I’m happy enough with my own church.”

Feel free to give other reasons.

 

[JonNC]

I hear a lot of arguments for why people don’t want to come into the Catholic Church, some of them are fundamental arguments about our doctrine and theology (particularly the arguments from more traditional protestant denominations), but others are more difficulties with imperfections in the Church’s earthly form.

I’ve posted this as a poll of several popular reasons I’ve heard, some of which used to apply to me before my conversion. Please tick all that that apply.

An eleventh option:
“I think the Catholic Church is the ideal, but I don’t feel strongly enough about it, and I’m happy enough with my own church.”

Feel free to give other reasons.

I couldn’t find one of your options that I felt strongly enough about. The only one that comes close is sola scriptura, but properly understood, it doesn’t exclude Tradition in the way your selection seems ro imply.
So, let me say this: Certain doctrinal differences

1. Primacy and infallibility of the Pope
2. Purgatory, and its related indulgences (at least as they are often portrayed by Catholics)
3. The binding of consciences to accept certain beliefs not explicit in scripture or necessary for salvation (though not the beliefs themselves). For example:
   Invocation of saints and the Blessed Virgin
   Transubstantiation specifically, but not the doctrine of the real presence

Jon

 

[gamewell45]

Major issues I have in particular are; I do not completely agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church, ie. the Pope being infallible; indulgences and their position on various social issues.

 

[Poco]

Well, I could not vote in your poll as I am currently trying to “cross the Tiber”. I think as a former (current ) Episcopalian, a lot has to do with misconceptions of Catholic teachings. As I read more about Church history and early Church fathers, I found myself drawn more and more to the Catholic Church (I was born and raised Episcopalian, if that matters). Without going into detail, I find much “anti-Catholic” thinking simply wrong.

God bless!

 

[tweetymom]

Major issues I have in particular are; I do not completely agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church, ie. the Pope being infallible; indulgences and their position on various social issues.

I could have checked more than one. Altho I go to CC I do not agree with a lot of the teachings.

 

[Poco]

the Pope being infallible

The Pope is not “always” infallible.

indulgences

I may agree with you here. From what I have read, early on, indulgences were widely abused and may currently be misunderstood.

their position on various social issues.

Yes, maybe I should be the one to decide the “proper” position on social issues, or maybe you (certainly not my brother! ), or maybe someone else?