Poll for Protestants

[strngrnrth]

None of the above. Like LutheranDK this is a very narrow poll that appears to be just reinforcing Roman Catholic beliefs on why people are protestant.

That’s a very interesting response, as I listed the reasons I have personally heard or read Protestants giving for their beliefs. Of course there are more. The poll allows only ten choices. I didn’t make it multiple choice because I wanted the main reason. I’ve helped with opinion research in the past and was often struck by how resistant respondents can be to answering the question, rather than answering what they wanted the question to be. I had the hope that a poll thread would give people the opportunity to answer the given question if they wanted to, and if they wanted to answer a similar question (“all the reasons” instead of “the primary reason” e.g.), they could do so in a post. Those whose answer was not among the choices given could answer as they wished in a post.
Not to ruin the poll, but it’s already sunk a few times so it’s probably about done anyway. ITRW as a seeker and as a Protestant before I converted, the main reasons I heard were fear-of-idolatry-related, spontaneity-related and history-related. Apparently my neck of the woods is unusual then. That’s a lot of what I wanted to know. Would any who didn’t find their answer above care to share what their primary reason was?

 

[valiermn]

All of the choices provided seem to characterize all Protestants to be of the one mind set that Catholics seem to believe about all Protestants. I’m not Roman Catholic anymore because it is surely not the one Church Christ founded. It’s doctrines and dogmas prove that.

BINGO It’s Doctrines and Dogma is not of Christ but rather Man made. How Christian is this very web site All the site does is attack and insult non catholic christians.

 

[valiermn]

I could deal with the immaculate conception, purgatory and indulgences, saints and statues, transubstantiation, etc, etc. But I absolutely reject that a single bishop of the Church is infallibly guided by the Holy Spirit. The bishop of Rome has usurped the role of the Holy Ghost to guide the Church “into all truth”. The doctrine is scripturally based on one passage of scripture (Matt 16:18) that NONE of the Fathers interpreted to mean that the Church’s infallibility depends and always has depending on one man: the bishop of Rome. It was forced on the RCC after much pressure and political manuvering by Pius IX. I believe RCs many accept this doctrine because it gives them a religious security blanket so they don’t have to make any moral or doctrinal decisions they need only follow orders. I could stand no more and left the RCC last year.

Well Said I left for some of the same reasons. when I read posts to this web Site and Listen to EWTN radio I just cringe at the attitude of a few

 

[surfgirlusa_200]

I agree with the posters who said that there should be an option that says you are Protestant because that’s how your parents brought you up. I know that’s the case for me. I’m feeling called to the Catholic Church, though.

 

[AnotherChance]

I agree with the posters who said that there should be an option that says you are Protestant because that’s how your parents brought you up. I know that’s the case for me. I’m feeling called to the Catholic Church, though.

That would be my main reason as well. I was Protestant because my parents were. I knew very little about the Catholic Church growing up and certainly didn’t grasp the concept of the Catholic Church being the original church that Jesus founded. Things that seem obvious to Catholics (Luther being an obnoxious rebel, etc.) were just not even on my radar screen.

My secondary reason, as mentioned earlier, was the annulment issue. As I learned more about the Church, I thought that I would like to have become a Catholic if only I wasn’t divorced. I thought it was probably the best Church for people who weren’t in this situation. Eventually I realized it was the best Church for all sinners. I am not Catholic yet, but am waiting for the decision on my annulment.

When I mentioned the annulment issue before, someone said (a paraphrase here) I was characterizing Protestants as people who didn’t feel like they were good enough to become Catholic. I am saying that is my experience. Of course, I know not every Protestant is like that. The question asked about personal experience. But I know for certain I am not the only one who feels that way.

ADD: The poll seems to assume that Protestants have investigated the Catholic Church, know what it stands for, and rejected it. But it seems that many Protestants who seriously look into the doctrines end up converting.

 

[valiermn]

That would be my main reason as well. I was Protestant because my parents were. I knew very little about the Catholic Church growing up and certainly didn’t grasp the concept of the Catholic Church being the original church that Jesus founded. Things that seem obvious to Catholics (Luther being an obnoxious rebel, etc.) were just not even on my radar screen.

My secondary reason, as mentioned earlier, was the annulment issue. As I learned more about the Church, I thought that I would like to have become a Catholic if only I wasn’t divorced. I thought it was probably the best Church for people who weren’t in this situation. Eventually I realized it was the best Church for all sinners. I am not Catholic yet, but am waiting for the decision on my annulment.

When I mentioned the annulment issue before, someone said (a paraphrase here) I was characterizing Protestants as people who didn’t feel like they were good enough to become Catholic. I am saying that is my experience. Of course, I know not every Protestant is like that. The question asked about personal experience. But I know for certain I am not the only one who feels that way.

ADD: The poll seems to assume that Protestants have investigated the Catholic Church, know what it stands for, and rejected it. But it seems that many Protestants who seriously look into the doctrines end up converting.

Yes and many do not convert and some leave the catholic church for another. Half of the members in My Lutheran Church are former Catholics. You can spot them when they go to comunion they make the sign of the cross when they dip their hand in the baptismal fountain. So there you Go. The two largest Christian Groups in the world are Catholics and Number two number Former Catholics. I am proudly among the second group. There is just this energy when I attend church now. It is alost like I have 800 new family members. The first time I attend a Lutheran church I felt Like I was coming Home. I felt some how connected to each member of my Church. I have attended catholic Mass for 43 years and always felt like a stranger and I never fit in. there is just this since that God is present every Sunday morning and the Eucharist is present on the altar.