Poll: I can understand why people leave the Roman Catholic Church

[distracted]

Here is the problem: People want to follow a religion/church which suits to their personal needs/beliefs.Instead of the following a faith which comes down to us from Christ and the Apostles.

Being a Christian is a way of life

so true… its like people try to form God in their own image… which won’t work when they meet the real God at death, ofcourse…

that;s probably why Jesus said taht not many make it … not may find the narrow road that leads to eternal life…its narrow cuz you don’t get to do whatever you want…

 

[distracted]

There are many many times I feel like leaving, but the ONE thing keeping me here is the Real Presence. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be out of here.

ME TOO!!!

great minds think alike…

seriously, i have had this exact same thought…

so why do YOU feel this way?? Are you like me in the sense that you see a lot of blatant hypocricy…

or do you go to real Catholic Church… ?

 

[distracted]

Up to ten years ago, I was an atheist; and I realized that if I couldn’t empirically “prove” or “disprove” the existence of God, I was using the wrong system to answer the question. I came to Jesus because He answered when I called. All the invitations I got to visit churches were from Protestant/ Bible Christians.

Fastforward to about a year and a half ago, I was just commanded out of the blue to get my children baptized and get my house in order. I understood this to mean Catholicism and I can’t tell you why; but I’ve spent a lot of time doing homework to figure out if that’s what He meant. My husband is VERY angry about this. I guess he thought all of these doctrinal issues were settled questions? I asked God to be released from this command and the pressure left… but then I felt remorse for not putting God’s leading before my wishes. Some months later, the leading is back strong as ever. So if God clears the path for our dissolutions, I’m going to obey. It’s… just… easier.

BTW, I still haven’t caught up on the filing but I’ve done a lot of other home organization projects

wondering if you could clarify:

do you mean that (somewhat out of the blue?) you got a strong feeling that God wanted you to baptize your children Catholic?? Or were you praying & got that feeling?

i could be wrong but i can’t help thinking that your husband wil be now… .but will thank you later… It may be MUCH later… but i think he will…

if he ever begins to know 1/2 of what i know… then i KNOW he will thank you…

I’m curious as to what 1st got you to thinking about Catholicism… I know you told me somewhat… but i am curious as to … uh … details… if you don’t mind sharing…

 

[takers]

I voted that I understand and have thought of leaving myself. I don’t know that my thoughts of leaving come from me thinking that I’m better than the church and I know it’s not because I’ve been hurt by the church. Mostly my thoughts are based on the feeling of ‘going through the motions’ that I witness within myself. I go to church, listen to the readings, sing the songs, try to understand and incorporate the homily’s message, take or not take communion based on how I feel in relationship to God, and go home. I don’t feel as if being Catholic is providing me that closeness with Jesus as many here say they experience when they attend mass. I’ll even admit that when I went to mass and it turned out to be the First Holy Communion for many young people I began thinking that instead of this being a wonderful day of joining Christ, it was more of a number gaining day for the Church’s records.

As I’m currently pregnant with out first child I’m finding that I feel that my relationship with Jesus is not where I want it to be and that I want my child to get more out of church than just the motions of mass. So while I haven’t left the church, I’m also not certain I’ll stay.

 

[AlwaysAsking]

Mostly my thoughts are based on the feeling of ‘going through the motions’ that I witness within myself.

As I’m currently pregnant with out first child I’m finding that I feel that my relationship with Jesus is not where I want it to be and that I want my child to get more out of church than just the motions of mass. So while I haven’t left the church, I’m also not certain I’ll stay.

1. ALL Christians experience dry spells, just so you know. I’m not trying to diagnose your specific situation or suggest a solution. I’ve heard devout evangelicals describe years without “feelings,” and they came to believe that it was a period of testing their faith and maturity.
2. Having little kids took me further away from the programmed church experience-- you have to leave every time the baby cries, needs to be fed, or needs a change-- but it will draw you closer to God in prayer out of sheer terror and hope, and bafflement, and love, and exhaustion…

Blessings on you and your baby!

 

[AlwaysAsking]

wondering if you could clarify:

do you mean that (somewhat out of the blue?) you got a strong feeling that God wanted you to baptize your children Catholic?? Or were you praying & got that feeling?

i could be wrong but i can’t help thinking that your husband wil be now… .but will thank you later… It may be MUCH later… but i think he will…

if he ever begins to know 1/2 of what i know… then i KNOW he will thank you…

I’m curious as to what 1st got you to thinking about Catholicism… I know you told me somewhat… but i am curious as to … uh … details… if you don’t mind sharing…

Yep, I was just puttering at home! “GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER AND GET YOUR CHILDREN BAPTIZED”… like three times. Holy cow, what was that?? Seriously?? You can’t be serious. I know other kinds of Christians baptize little kids but I just understood it that way. So I set out to see if the Bible contradicted my prompting; I was always told that Catholicism contradicted the clear teaching of scripture. Did I ever fall down a rabbit hole! I’m still checking, but so far it checks out.

One thing that clinched it was, I experimented praying to Mary and just ended up bawling. In a good way. I’ve loved taking Mary out of the little box that Protestants have put her in. I love praying the rosary.

Anyway, I didn’t hear a command to convert to catholicism but I now know, because I called the church and asked, that I can’t just show up and have my children baptized. So, here I go. My 3 1/2 year old loves the catholic church best of all, that motivates me too.

Does that clarify things at all?

 

[Sarabande]

There are many many times I feel like leaving, but the ONE thing keeping me here is the Real Presence. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be out of here.

Lately, I’ve been feeling the same way. I’ve seen and experienced so much hypocrisy, cruelty, deceit, and more from those in charge (which I’m sad to say are the priests in various parishes) towards loved ones, friends and colleagues over the past few years, that sometimes the religion, itself, seems so empty. For the past year I’ve been grieving over the loss of innocence that has been slowly slipping from me in regards to the religious aspect of my faith.

Take the human element out of the equation and Catholicism is so beautiful and brilliant in the most spiritual way. Like you, the Real Presence keeps me here. For me, to leave one religion in order to join another doesn’t make sense, as I believe you will find corruption in any religion. I think the other problem is that I’ve been working for the Church for about 10 years, since I was in college. Someone told me once that once you start working for churches (no matter what denomination) you will eventually get turned off by the religion. I didn’t believe it when I first began, but now I see what that person meant. Anyway, Tte purity of the faith allows me to see and believe that my faith is at peace, but it’s still sometimes difficult to embrace when you are continuously bombarded with what I talked about in the first paragraph. BUT, I don’t believe I will ever leave the Church no matter what mainly because the problems I see are with people and not with the actual religion.

That said, I can somewhat understand why others do leave. Most of the ones I know who have left either just don’t believe in organised religion at all or have been completely turned off by what I described above and just can’t get past the actions of individual religious leaders in their parishes and communities. I’ve known many who stopped attending mass for months after the sex abuse scandal came out. Some have come back, but others have not yet. Then I know others who have found comfort in evangelical/non-denominational churches. For some of them, they liked the idea of being able to read the Bible and make up their own conclusions, and for others they liked not having to think too much, but to just be told what to do (this is their words - not mine.)

 

[mskejj]

I believe that the problem many Catholics face in not feeling connected when they go to mass isn’t due to the mass itself, but to their relationship with Jesus. For many Catholics, they pray (or don’t pray) much as they did as children. Prayer before meals and maybe a prayer or two before bed or in the morning. As adults, you will never be in a relationship with someone if you don’t spend time with them. Your prayer life needs to include reading “God’s Word” everyday…not just hearing a few readings on Sunday. Your experience with the Mass will change if you step up your prayer time to an adult level…as well as including spiritual reading in your day. I was one who went through the motions and although I never wanted to leave the Church, I did wish I felt something more. FINALLY, after reading “Rediscovering Catholism” I decided to take the plunge and signed up for Jeff Cavins “Great Adventure Bible Course” It was the best thing I ever did. Sometimes, it is there right in front of us and we need to make the effort to delve into our beautiful faith at an adult level.

 

[Todd520]

Warning – Humor

Found this on another site and had to share, humor is dry

Seven Ways to Convert Catholics -A Strategy Guide
by Rev. …

1. The Catholic has been brainwashed to view the Church as his or her “mother”. Start out the conversation by calling their mother a whore… that is, the whore of Babylon. Point them to Revelation and ignore any rebuttals or complaints. Studies have repeatedly shown that the best way to convince others to agree with you is to begin with a strong insult (especially when directed towards a family member or other such dear thing).

1. Be sure not to study any Catholic doctrine before approaching a Catholic. Doing so may jeopardize your ability to clearly present the gospel.

1. Even some Catholics are unaware that they worship idols. Tactfully explain this to them. (By ‘tactfully’ I mean to merely assert it and offer no backup for your statement).

1. The Pope believes all Muslims go to heaven. Explain to the Catholic that Muslims and Buddhists go to Hell without exception just like he will if he doesn’t stop being Catholic.

1. Catholic views are contradictory to Scripture and are entirely based on tradition. If the Catholic disagrees, stop thumping your bible and thump him.

1. If the Catholic ever mentions the word “Mary” in any context, immediately interrupt and say loudly “Where in the Bible does it say to worship Mary?!”

1. If the Catholic ever mentions the worst apostle, Peter, completely ignore what was said and tell him that Paul confronted Peter to his face. This proves that Paul is the best apostle and Peter was not the Pope.

ADDENDUM
Since I released this guide, some of you have been complaining that Catholics have not responded well to the above tactics. This is to be somewhat expected. Therefore, I have also included these three additional points. Since three is the number of the Trinity, it proves that I am right.

Handling a “know it all” Catholic

Many Catholics think they are well educated. Little do they know that God puts to shame the wisdom of this world. Reason and logic are tools the devil has been using since the garden of Eden to destroy mankind. Avoid reason and logic at all costs.

1. Do not (and this is important) under any circumstances actually respond directly to one of the Catholic’s arguments. This is a devious tactic Catholics and demons like to use. They employ tools of argumentation to trap you into thinking logically. Make every effort to avoid the real issue. For example, if they point to the fact that the Ignatian epistles prove the early belief in the Real Presence simply remind them that they’re going to hell and their mother is a whore.

1. If they start talking about tradition, quote 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”. (Again, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your arguments need to make sense.)

1. If they try to use Scripture to defend their evil doctrines respond “you’re taking that out of context” regardless of what they say. It’s imperative that you not listen to the argument. Remember, they use a special version of the “Bible” which was modified by the Pope.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I’m probably the exact opposite of what most “hardcore, fanatical, Tiber Swim Team” folks in here would think of a person who has left the Church. Usually I hear the same rationale in here, “if people TRULY understood Catholicism, it would be impossible for a rational, normal person to leave!”

I’m the opposite. I personally have found plenty of things about Catholicism that I find to be circular reasoning, things that are not historically true, and plenty of triumphalist sentiment and philosophy that I don’t buy into. Intellectually speaking I should probably be more of an Orthodox or an Anglo-Catholic. But the main thing that has drawn me back to Catholicism isn’t intellectual, it’s been emotional. I honestly have more sentimental attachments to Mary, to the saints, Church, sacramentals, Stations of the Cross, and just overall “feelings” that make me want to go back than intellectual yearnings.

Most people I know emotionally don’t want to be Catholic but intellectually are drawn like a moth to a flame. I wish that were so.

And yet when I go back I’m never impressed, with this diocese at least! Alas, I’m trapped between my Anglican and Catholic nexus like the three bad guys in Superman II floating in the glass prison through outer space

 

[mflorence]

There are many many times I feel like leaving, but the ONE thing keeping me here is the Real Presence. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be out of here.

It’s good that you stick with what you have started, and I admire your tenacity. But also know if you would that the Real Presence is both within and without, hidden in the heart of every creature, subtler than the subtlest, greater than the greatest. To see Him, one needs but to be still and know that He is.

 

[rinnie]

I usually get irritated (used to) when i hear of a Catholic who wants to leave the Church. I think to myself: How could that person leave the Mass? the Sacraments? the Real Presence?

Of course a lot of them aren’t catechized & have never spent much time in the Real Presence…

but that being said, i often (nowadays) do not get so irritated. I can understand why people leave… rude, apathetic priests, unorthodox homilies, hypocricy… etc… Well, i can understand them wanting to leave, but i still have a problem with them actually leaving.

I have never heard a story of someone wanting to leave, talking to the priest about it and being talked out of it… I’m sure it happens… but it almost seems like a lot of priests don’t really care… (?)

hmmm…

Hi Distracted, Hope all is well with you. I can’t understand how people can leave. To me it’s like saying I am leaving the CC because the Priest are human.

My husband and I had the honor of spending the weekend with a Priest from another country. We were asked by our Priest to take him out for dinner, our Priest is very very busy right now, he has not had a day off in 3 months and his brother is very very sick.

So after Mass we were ready to take him to dinner. It was still quite early. He was not really hungry yet so we asked him if he would like to see anything in our State. I was very disapointed to hear that he has been here in our country for 3 months, and has never been anywhere but Parish houses. I cannot believe that other People did not take the time to make his stay a least a little enjoyable for him. He is not aloud to leave on the weekdays but can on the weekends after Mass.

He goes every weekend and travels to other Parishes to give Priests in need a break.I am so glad now that Father picked me to be with him. We became quite friends in a short time and will continue to e-mail for many years to come.

But what is sad is my Priest who is also not real old, got to spend his first day off in 3 months in the hospital, possibly watching his baby brother die, His Brother needs alot of prayers and I beg you all to pray for him. Father does not know who he is more concerned about his brother or his mother. I know his pain for I have been there.

I told my husband no matter what, when we took out the visiting Priest to not dump our problems on him. To just let him relax for awhile and get to have a little piece of mind and get to be a person for the day not just a Priest.

So when you guys blame the Priest for everything because he does not live up to your expectations maybe you can remember maybe you guys are not exactly perfect in the way you do your job in life either. And then can see how over worked they are. Many are lucky to get 8 hours of sleep a day.

So maybe you can ask yourself when is the last time you worked 3 months straight and did not have a single day off? And if you did were you on the top of your game?

 

[distracted]

I voted that I understand and have thought of leaving myself. I don’t know that my thoughts of leaving come from me thinking that I’m better than the church and I know it’s not because I’ve been hurt by the church. Mostly my thoughts are based on the feeling of ‘going through the motions’ that I witness within myself. I go to church, listen to the readings, sing the songs, try to understand and incorporate the homily’s message, take or not take communion based on how I feel in relationship to God, and go home. I don’t feel as if being Catholic is providing me that closeness with Jesus as many here say they experience when they attend mass. I’ll even admit that when I went to mass and it turned out to be the First Holy Communion for many young people I began thinking that instead of this being a wonderful day of joining Christ, it was more of a number gaining day for the Church’s records.

As I’m currently pregnant with out first child I’m finding that I feel that my relationship with Jesus is not where I want it to be and that I want my child to get more out of church than just the motions of mass. So while I haven’t left the church, I’m also not certain I’ll stay.

i was out for many yrs… and so when i came back, i appreciated things far more…

the Catholics have the best, most awesome “personal relationship” possible in the Roman Ctholic Church … the REAL PRESENCE… I got There when i can & sit in total silence… and Jesus shows me many things about my life… my concerns… relatoinships (lack thereof)… hard 2 put into words… No, Impossible to put into words… mysterious…

there is a down side tho… you get spoiled for Jesus and then living in the outside world … in comparison is kinda … blah… and you notice that you feel the presence of evil more when not in His Presence… or do i speak only of myself?

 

[distracted]

Hi Distracted, Hope all is well with you. I can’t understand how people can leave. To me it’s like saying I am leaving the CC because the Priest are human.

My husband and I had the honor of spending the weekend with a Priest from another country. We were asked by our Priest to take him out for dinner, our Priest is very very busy right now, he has not had a day off in 3 months and his brother is very very sick.

So after Mass we were ready to take him to dinner. It was still quite early. He was not really hungry yet so we asked him if he would like to see anything in our State. I was very disapointed to hear that he has been here in our country for 3 months, and has never been anywhere but Parish houses. I cannot believe that other People did not take the time to make his stay a least a little enjoyable for him. He is not aloud to leave on the weekdays but can on the weekends after Mass.

He goes every weekend and travels to other Parishes to give Priests in need a break.I am so glad now that Father picked me to be with him. We became quite friends in a short time and will continue to e-mail for many years to come.

But what is sad is my Priest who is also not real old, got to spend his first day off in 3 months in the hospital, possibly watching his baby brother die, His Brother needs alot of prayers and I beg you all to pray for him. Father does not know who he is more concerned about his brother or his mother. I know his pain for I have been there.

I told my husband no matter what, when we took out the visiting Priest to not dump our problems on him. To just let him relax for awhile and get to have a little piece of mind and get to be a person for the day not just a Priest.

So when you guys blame the Priest for everything because he does not live up to your expectations maybe you can remember maybe you guys are not exactly perfect in the way you do your job in life either. And then can see how over worked they are. Many are lucky to get 8 hours of sleep a day.

So maybe you can ask yourself when is the last time you worked 3 months straight and did not have a single day off? And if you did were you on the top of your game?

you have absolutely NO idea what i have been thro…

it isn’t just a matter of a priest being a little cranky cuz he’s over-worked…

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

i was out for many yrs… and so when i came back, i appreciated things far more…

the Catholics have the best, most awesome “personal relationship” possible in the Roman Ctholic Church … the REAL PRESENCE… I got There when i can & sit in total silence… and Jesus shows me many things about my life… my concerns… relatoinships (lack thereof)… hard 2 put into words… No, Impossible to put into words… mysterious…

there is a down side tho… you get spoiled for Jesus and then living in the outside world … in comparison is kinda … blah… and you notice that you feel the presence of evil more when not in His Presence… or do i speak only of myself?

No–I have the same experience…life just isn’t anything without him…I mean what is the point without him?

On the flip side…I dont’ know what you mean about priest because we are blessed to have the most AWESOME priest. He works nonstop most of the time. I’ve gotten responses to my emails at 11:30 at night. Now I go to daily Mass at another parish…I haven’t had a lot of interaction with the priests there but they seem nice enough.

 

[josie_L]

not me… they are better off sitting in the pews being a “hypocrite”… because it is ALWAYS better to be in the Presence of Christ than NOT to be… and some time in the future they will find the answers they need… "Seek and you will find".

Yes, but then you’ll get annoyed with them because they will be the ones to think you’re fanatical, and thus make you want to leave the Church.

 

[distracted]

No–I have the same experience…life just isn’t anything without him…I mean what is the point without him?

On the flip side…I dont’ know what you mean about priest because we are blessed to have the most AWESOME priest. He works nonstop most of the time. I’ve gotten responses to my emails at 11:30 at night. Now I go to daily Mass at another parish…I haven’t had a lot of interaction with the priests there but they seem nice enough.

well, you are fortunate…

I’ve had some interesting experiences w/ priests… At this point, however, i mostly just ingore…

better things to do… (not that i do those better things all the time… but anyhow…)

 

[distracted]

Yes, but then you’ll get annoyed with them because they will be the ones to think you’re fanatical, and thus make you want to leave the Church.

hmm… not sure i get this… but… I’m not leaving… Sorry to disappoint (I’m speaking to some of the people i know - who probably would love nothing better than for me to leave)…

but He’s MY Jesus too… and i’m not going anywhere…

 

[josie_L]

hmm… not sure i get this… but… I’m not leaving… Sorry to disappoint (I’m speaking to some of the people i know - who probably would love nothing better than for me to leave)…

but He’s MY Jesus too… and i’m not going anywhere…

I assume that those who call you fanatical are less than orthodox in their views, or am I wrong?

 

[distracted]

I assume that those who call you fanatical are less than orthodox in their views, or am I wrong?

wow… for once someone here assumed correctly…

but that wasn’t a difficult conclusion to come to, if one reads many of my posts…

but i get persecuted even by those who are “orthodox”… or … seem to be or think they are or whatever…

you can be orthodox but not… outspoken… not into evangelizing… People seem to think i evangelize too much or whatever… I get the feeling some Catholics think i should just shut the h- up… let people go their merry way to Hell if that’s what they “want”…