Protestant tactics used to draw kids away from the Church

[FathersKnowBest]

I don’t doubt you are correct and there are several other reasons as well, ranging from the abuse scandals, divorce or invalid marriages, the Church’s stance on contraception and homosexuality, to something someone said to them that hurt their feelings or just basically was made to “feel” just plain unwelcome. All these can be contentious issues for many BUT!!!.. If you know the Truth, that this is the Church established by our Lord and you have an even rudimentary understanding of the real presence of our Lord in the Holy Euchsrist, nothing, I mean nothing, should stand in your way from receiving Him. And if one, for whatever reason, may not be permitted to reciece the Eucharist, one should choose still choose remain with the Church in prayer and adoration of The Lord, who is with His Church to the end.

If it is entertainment or sense of community that is the deciding factor or sole motivator to get peoples butts in church, then they are already missing the point. And, honestly, I think it is manipulative to play on peoples emotions and feelings to get people to buy what some of these churcbes are selling. For example, some of the most common hooks of the day, “health and wealth”, or “name it and claim it”. The Truth doesn’t have to have a hook, the Truth sells itself.

And the Truth is Jesus - in the Eucharist. If people aren’t interested in that, if people don’t get excited about that, then IMO, they don’t know the Truth.

I don’t intend to seem inconsiderate of those who may feel hurt or even betrayed by the Church, or the people in it, for whatever reason. But, the fact remains and sometimes you have to be blunt about it. I don’t go to church for anything but to be with our Lord. The fact that my parish is wonderful and filled with great people, and has so many activities we can’t keep up with them all, is just a bonus. If it werent, even if it were cold and quite and hardly anyone there, I would still go. The Lord has brought me home and I entend to stay.

That’s just my opinion.

Nope. Not just your opinion. Mine, too!

I didn’t even trim your quote down in hopes others will read it & comment.

 

[Starrsmother]

Nope. Not just your opinion. Mine, too!

I didn’t even trim your quote down in hopes others will read it & comment.

I fundamentally agree that Catholics should go to Mass because of the Eucharist and should remain Catholics because of the richness of our faith. In real life though, not all people are at the same spiritual point where they will attend a church for only those reasons. If we ferret out everyone who wouldn’t walk through fire to be with us at Mass we will have many empty pews. I don’t think we need to imitate the “theater” that most protestant services consist of. Catholics should however–if we want to bring more souls into our faith AND keep the souls that are already there coming—be sure that we are reaching out in love to everyone. If someone doesn’t feel welcomed and appreciated in the Catholic church, they will seek that comeraderie elsewhere!.