Observation

[Darryl_B]

Recently I have been drawn to the Catholic Church teaching. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in a Protestant Protestant religion (actually a cult and 2 hops away from the Catholic Church), then the next 20 years of my life in a Protestant non-denominational religion (1 hop away from the Catholic Church), I now feel there is something fundamentally wrong with my current Protestant position.

There is nothing sacred. The bread and wine (grape juice) is just bread and wine. Baptism is just water, Mary is just an instrument, church is just entertainment, the priesthood is just a democracy, and Jesus is just my friend.

There is nothing sacred, everything to a Protestant is common. They might profess sacraments, but they don’t seem to hold to them.

I really don’t understand why people would leave the Catholic Church, when I have been searching 45 years to find it.

 

[MaryT777]

I’m happy you found the Catholic Church as well. This time of year I am always
moved by posts like yours as we welcome our Converts to the Faith Catholic
tonight! Alleluia.

It’s converts that often provide the zeal with their enthusiasm and willingness to evangelize
that have sustained me through some difficult moments in my own Journey in
the Catholic Faith. I hope someday you might be one of them!

Most people I know have left the Catholic Church for reasons such as they are divorced
and want to remarry and the annulment process is not for them, have come to
opposing views with the Church on issues such as abortion, homosexuality, women priests, etc. That is my experience with the few I know that have left. On the other hand I know a few Catholics who haven’t been to Church in years and consider themselves
majorly Catholic lol…often we see them at Easter
A priest once said he’d love to preach every Sunday with as many people as attend
the Easter and Christmas services he loves everyone worshipping then and receiving the Sacrament.

I hope someday they’ll return.

Blessings,
Mary.

 

[MariaG]

First off, I pray the Holy Spirit will continue to lead and guide you! And If you are not becoming part of the Church this Easter, I pray that I will be able to welcome you next year!!

Unfortunately, people do not always learn their faith. They become easy pickings for those who come along spouting lies that If one doesn’t know their faith well, sound believable.

 

[jonathan_hili]

Hi Darryl, God bless you in your search for Him!

Well, from my experience, many Catholics leave the Church because they are poorly catechised. My aunty, uncle and cousins left the Church for a non-denominational evangelical church. They now walk around with Bibles everywhere, preaching to my 80-year-old grandma about how having statues of the Blessed Virgin in her house is idolatrous, etc.

Frankly, I’m happy that they have found a zeal for the Lord, because they lacked it beforehand. Hopefully, with greater understanding of the Church, they will be drawn back into Her arms.

As Peter Kreeft said (words to this effect anyway), “Sometimes one has to become a Protestant only then in order to become a better Catholic”.

Jonathan

 

[JRKH]

Recently I have been drawn to the Catholic Church teaching. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in a Protestant Protestant religion (actually a cult and 2 hops away from the Catholic Church), then the next 20 years of my life in a Protestant non-denominational religion (1 hop away from the Catholic Church), I now feel there is something fundamentally wrong with my current Protestant position.

There is nothing sacred. The bread and wine (grape juice) is just bread and wine. Baptism is just water, Mary is just an instrument, church is just entertainment, the priesthood is just a democracy, and Jesus is just my friend.

There is nothing sacred, everything to a Protestant is common. They might profess sacraments, but they don’t seem to hold to them.

I really don’t understand why people would leave the Catholic Church, when I have been searching 45 years to find it.

Your post just made my day…

Peace
James

 

[snarflemike]

Painting with the broadest of brushes, it seems to me that people think or educate themselves into the Catholic Church, but leave the Catholic Church for emotional reasons.

It hasn’t helped in recent decades that Catholic catechesis of young adults has been abysmal. Much of it made Barney seem postdoctoral. Thus high school and college aged people had no good answers to either secular or Protestant arguments against the Church.

I know my Catholic high school, which provided a good education overall, was missing in action regarding Catholic catechesis. I ended up leaving the Church for 30 years as a result (and of course because I didn’t want the obligations of Catholicism, or its opposition to various sins I wanted to engage in - I wasn’t an innocent victim in all this).

Looking back, I think teenagers and college-aged people would soak up strong Catholic teaching. The intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Church are wide and deep, and would be a fascinating alternative to many people to the bland and boring secular worldview. Catholicism is the true radical countercultural alternative.

 

[rcwitness]

Good to hear your faith Darryl!

Yes, people are leaving the Church because they have a false impression of what the Church is suppose to be like (and perhaps as many reasons as there are individuals…individualism). The Catholic Church is always held accountable because of its unity to itself throughout the whole world and throughout all of history since Jesus. Protestant Churches can hide in their anonymity.
Plus, many times the task (or cross) put before people with issues in themselves or others within their parish is too difficult to work through and much easier to blame the Church for being responsible.
We often realize how much we need the Church, but sometimes forget how much the Church needs us! So, the more that people leave the Church, the more the Church is wounded! It becomes a snow ball effect.

Thanks for sharing your faith,
Michael

 

[CrossofChrist]

Recently I have been drawn to the Catholic Church teaching. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in a Protestant Protestant religion (actually a cult and 2 hops away from the Catholic Church), then the next 20 years of my life in a Protestant non-denominational religion (1 hop away from the Catholic Church), I now feel there is something fundamentally wrong with my current Protestant position.

There is nothing sacred. The bread and wine (grape juice) is just bread and wine. Baptism is just water, Mary is just an instrument, church is just entertainment, the priesthood is just a democracy, and Jesus is just my friend.

There is nothing sacred, everything to a Protestant is common. They might profess sacraments, but they don’t seem to hold to them.

I really don’t understand why people would leave the Catholic Church, when I have been searching 45 years to find it.

Congrats!

People leave because they don’t understand what they are leaving. It’s usually not because they actually know that they are leaving the Church of God almighty.

 

[CalCatholic]

Recently I have been drawn to the Catholic Church teaching. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in a Protestant Protestant religion (actually a cult and 2 hops away from the Catholic Church), then the next 20 years of my life in a Protestant non-denominational religion (1 hop away from the Catholic Church), I now feel there is something fundamentally wrong with my current Protestant position.

There is nothing sacred. The bread and wine (grape juice) is just bread and wine. Baptism is just water, Mary is just an instrument, church is just entertainment, the priesthood is just a democracy, and Jesus is just my friend.

There is nothing sacred, everything to a Protestant is common. They might profess sacraments, but they don’t seem to hold to them.

I really don’t understand why people would leave the Catholic Church, when I have been searching 45 years to find it.

Welcome Darryl, your comment about not finding anything sacred in the 20+ years of attending other churches services caught my attention this morning. Last night I attended the Easter vigil mass at our parish, and this morning I am still reflecting on the beauty of the 2 1/2 hour service. The service of light took place with a fire outside on the grass in which the Easter candle was lit (symbolizing that Christ is our light), and the procession into the church holding our candles. The church was dark as we entered it, but the ‘light of Christ’ through the Easter candle and the hundreds of smaller candles that we were carrying (lit off the Easter candle), lit up the church in a warm glow as our priest sang the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet). When the lights came on, you could suddenly see the beauty of all the Easter flowers all around the alter. The incense was still in the air from the procession into the church. The prayers, music and the extended readings from scripture really prepared the mood for the upcoming baptisms which took place in the middle of the mass. Watching the new Christians as they were baptized, confirmed and then receive the 'Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the first time in the Eucharist! It was a very special and sacred night for me, as I had helped prepare the adult catechumen over the last year and a half in RCIA!

Just some thoughts that were on my mind this morning. God bless you on your journey and have a blessed Easter!

 

[steve_b]

Recently I have been drawn to the Catholic Church teaching. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in a Protestant Protestant religion (actually a cult and 2 hops away from the Catholic Church), then the next 20 years of my life in a Protestant non-denominational religion (1 hop away from the Catholic Church),

Sounds like you’re ready to swim the Tiber
D:

I really don’t understand why people would leave the Catholic Church, when I have been searching 45 years to find it.

Being Catholic doesn’t mean one will persevere as a Catholic.

As Peter said one needs to keep adding in ever increasing amounts the following 7 attributes, or one is going to go off the rails.

2 Pet 1:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11

 

[Darryl_B]

Thanks to all who answered me. I am wanting to go through the next RCIA, but am receiving some opposition from my wife. She was the one who asked me the question “If the Catholic Church is the true church then how come I know ex-Catholics at our evangelical church, why are they leaving the true Church if it really is the true Church, can’t God work with any church”.

To which I had no answer because I cannot rightly speak on a matter which I know nothing about. I thought it best to seek answers from people who would have a greater knowledge on the subject than myself.

Grace mercy and peace.

 

[steve_b]

Thanks to all who answered me. I am wanting to go through the next RCIA, but am receiving some opposition from my wife. She was the one who asked me the question “If the Catholic Church is the true church then how come I know ex-Catholics at our evangelical church, why are they leaving the true Church if it really is the true Church, can’t God work with any church”.

To which I had no answer because I cannot rightly speak on a matter which I know nothing about.

Share this with your wife and the ex Catholics if they are interested.

Division from the Catholic Church is condemned by scripture

Rom 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions διχοστασίαdichostasia and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

What are the consequences of division for that soul?

Gal 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,διχοστασίαdichostasia factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

διχοστασία dichostasia = division, is the same Greek word in both Romans and Galatians. Therefore, the consequence of division if one divides or remains divided from the Church is they will not inherit heaven when they die. Here is where the phrase outside the Church there is no salvation came from.

How do we know it’s the Catholic Church spoken of?

• Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all κατά kata…ὅλος holos] Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria…" iow the Church is the Kataholos Church = Catholic Church The English word catholic is a transliteration of the Greek katholikos which is a compound word from kata, which means according to, and holos, which means whole. http://www.catholic.com/tracts/what-catholic-means
• St Ignatius Bp of Antioch, ~69 a.d. - ~107 a.d., ordained by apostles, disciple of St John the apostle, called the Church the Catholic Church [letter to the Church of Smyrna Epistle to the Smyrnæans
• St Polycarp**,** Bp Smyrna, disciple of St John called the Church the “Catholic Church” The Martyrdom of Polycarp
• Irenaeus ~180 a.d. wrote “Against Heresies” called the Church the “Catholic Church” Adversus haereses Bk 1 Ch 10 v 3], and also Irenaeus who was taught by Polycarp, teachesall must agree with Rome [Bk 3, Ch 3, v 2-3] Chapter 3
• **Cyprian **~250 a.d. Epistle 54
• The Nicene Creed**,** 325 a.d., it’s a matter of faith to believe in the “One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church”
• etc etc

 

[allhers]

Congrats!

People leave because they don’t understand what they are leaving. It’s usually not because they actually know that they are leaving the Church of God almighty.

More accurately, they don’t understand WHO they are leaving.

Welcome Darryl, you ought to invite those that you wife speaks of, to go along with you to your RCIA classes when they start. They probably need them as much as you do.

 

[Darryl_B]

Thanks Steve B

One thing that was difficult for me in leaving the cult heresy religion I was born into (once I realized the Bible did not fit at all with their doctrines) is which Church should I go to. At the time the Catholic Church was not even considered because I was raised with the perception that the Catholic Church was apostate and the Pope was the anti-Christ. I chose non-denominational because as you rightly point out, there is unity in the faith. Division is wrong, and I knew that. I have come to realize that being non-denominational is just evasive. I am avoiding the problem of a divided Church.

Last year I bought the Catholic Encyclopedia from newadvent. I read Ignatius, Polycarp Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. Their writings were truly not what I expected to read but once I got my head around them they made me feel incredibly distant from the historical Church of the Apostles. Somehow what I believed had changed historically from their beliefs of the early Catholic yes Catholic Church.

I told my wife that I want our children to learn the Apostles Creed by heart. She didn’t know the Apostles Creed so I recited it to her. She said that’s great but can we not say that we believe in the Holy Catholic Church?

It is a very humbling thing to realize you are wrong as a heresy Christian religion, it is far more humbling to realize and admit you were wrong a second time as a Protestant.

 

[steve_b]

Thanks Steve B

One thing that was difficult for me in leaving the cult heresy religion I was born into (once I realized the Bible did not fit at all with their doctrines) is which Church should I go to.

:tiphat:you’re welcome

It’s interesting, when non Catholics learn where the bible they have, came from…they generally are shocked…right? The bible was written in, by, for, the Catholic Church. The books (the canon) was selected by the Catholic Church and the Catholic Church canonized those books. All the apostles were in the Church they were building, they weren’t apart from it, i.e. Peter, Paul, James, John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Jude, Titus, etc etc. were all Catholics. And some as we know wrote to and for the Catholic Church.

As an aside, Clement of Rome, mentions a letter from Paul to the Church at Corinth in connection with Clement’s goal of solving sedition in the Church at Corinth. As a point of history, when Clement refers to scripture in his writing, he’s talking about the OT. There was no NT. The NT wouldn’t be decided on till the council of Rome in 382. Clement writes during apostolic times, ~ 80 - 90 a.d.

Clement of Rome First Epistle Clement refers to hierarchy in the Church & apostolic succession in Ch 42. sedition is mentioned 18 times. it’s condemned

Re the Church being called the Catholic Church, one may ask, where did that come from?

Luke wrote Acts

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all κατά kata…ὅλος holos] Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria…" iow the Church is the Kataholos Church = Catholic Church The English word catholic is a transliteration of the Greek katholikos which is a compound word from kata, which means according to, and holos, which means whole. http://www.catholic.com/tracts/what-catholic-means

Ignatius was ordained bishop by apostles. He was a contemporary of the apostles and was a direct disciple of St John.

St Ignatius bishop from ~69 a.d. - ~107 a.d., learned what he taught from the apostles particularly St John
Epistle to the Smyrnæans the Church is the “Catholic Church”
Epistle to the Philadelphians Note: teaching on unity “Do not deceive yourselves, he who adheres to the author of a schism will not possess the kingdom of God.” iow, outside the Church there is no salvation.
Epistle to the Romans the Church of Rome presides (holds the presidency)over the Church

Therefore, “Catholic Church” is the name of the Church during apostolic times. Ignatius didn’t invent the name. In my previous post, you can see that continues in the ECF’s writings, and due to space I couldn’t give you all the references.
D:

At the time the Catholic Church was not even considered because I was raised with the perception that the Catholic Church was apostate and the Pope was the anti-Christ. I chose non-denominational because as you rightly point out, there is unity in the faith. Division is wrong, and I knew that. I have come to realize that being non-denominational is just evasive. I am avoiding the problem of a divided Church.

by definition, all non-Catholic “Christians”, began in division. The division began from the Catholic Church then serial division among themselves
D:

Last year I bought the Catholic Encyclopedia from newadvent. I read Ignatius, Polycarp Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. Their writings were truly not what I expected to read but once I got my head around them they made me feel incredibly distant from the historical Church of the Apostles. Somehow what I believed had changed historically from their beliefs of the early Catholic yes Catholic Church.

Now you know the truth. The Catholic Church is the Church of the apostles.
D:

I told my wife that I want our children to learn the Apostles Creed by heart. She didn’t know the Apostles Creed so I recited it to her. She said that’s great but can we not say that we believe in the Holy Catholic Church?

As we see in [Rom 16:20] Satan is the cause of division. And Satan was extremely effective in finding people he could sift away from Our Lord’s Church over the last 2000 years
D:

It is a very humbling thing to realize you are wrong as a heresy Christian religion, it is far more humbling to realize and admit you were wrong a second time as a Protestant.

That illumination came from the grace of God first, and now you are responding to it.