Protestants Rejecting Catholicism

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LiamQ

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This is a question for our Protestant friends, especially those who converted away from Catholicism.

What would you describe as being the most important intellectual argument that lead to your either rejecting or not embracing Catholicism?

I’m not attempting to debate you and show you that you’re wrong, I’m just interested in your perspective.
 
LiamQ said:
This is a question for our Protestant friends, especially those who converted away from Catholicism.

What would you describe as being the most important intellectual argument that lead to your either rejecting or not embracing Catholicism?

I’m not attempting to debate you and show you that you’re wrong, I’m just interested in your perspective.
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Simply, universal ordinary and immediate jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome. Any other issue I may or may not have are resolvable if this one is. I have had this discussion often here, and don’t plan to go into it again, but there it is.

Jon
 
JonNC said:
Simply, universal ordinary and immediate jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome. Any other issue I may or may not have are resolvable if this one is. I have had this discussion often here, and don’t plan to go into it again, but there it is.

Jon
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Were you once Catholic?
 
LiamQ said:
This is a question for our Protestant friends, especially those who converted away from Catholicism.

What would you describe as being the most important intellectual argument that lead to your either rejecting or not embracing Catholicism?

I’m not attempting to debate you and show you that you’re wrong, I’m just interested in your perspective.
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To answer your question, I know many Evangelicals (of the Vineyard and Calvary Chapel persuasion more than, e.g., Lutheran or Episcopalian) who cite Constantine as a reason on the basis he was pagan, not Christian. But that’s a non-starter that nobody to talk about, so I’ll leave it at that.
 
The emotive language ?

Why not simply made a choice? Made an informed opinion and followed it through?

🍿:coffeeread::sleep:
 
I spoke to quite a few Protestants. Many, if most have a problem with Mary and the Saints. I try to tell them that they are not being worshiped but are powerful intercessors.
 
zamyrabyrd said:
I spoke to quite a few Protestants. Many, if most have a problem with Mary and the Saints. I try to tell them that they are not being worshiped but are powerful intercessors.
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Yet this is not the impression given when folk talk of Mary, “praying TO” is the usual expression used and taught .

And all over Ireland there are wayside shrines to Mary and very few to Jesus

I also tell folk it is not mandatory either.

Was there not a move recently re “co-Mediatrix with Jesus”?

If that happens?

:dts::sad_bye:
 
LiamQ said:
This is a question for our Protestant friends, especially those who converted away from Catholicism.

What would you describe as being the most important intellectual argument that lead to your either rejecting or not embracing Catholicism?

I’m not attempting to debate you and show you that you’re wrong, I’m just interested in your perspective.
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are you familiar with this study/report?

ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/hidden-exodus-catholics-becoming-protestants

“The data shows that disagreement over specific doctrines is not the main reason Catholics become Protestants”

“Nor are the people becoming Protestants lazy or lax Christians”

". In fact, almost two-thirds of former Catholics who join a Protestant church join an evangelical church. "
 
LiamQ said:
This is a question for our Protestant friends, especially those who converted away from Catholicism.

What would you describe as being the most important intellectual argument that lead to your either rejecting or not embracing Catholicism?

I’m not attempting to debate you and show you that you’re wrong, I’m just interested in your perspective.
Click to expand...
My parents converted out to Pentecostalism because they believed Catholicism wasn’t biblical and that it adopted errors over the centuries.
 
alwayswill said:
are you familiar with this study/report?

ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/hidden-exodus-catholics-becoming-protestants

“The data shows that disagreement over specific doctrines is not the main reason Catholics become Protestants”

“Nor are the people becoming Protestants lazy or lax Christians”

". In fact, almost two-thirds of former Catholics who join a Protestant church join an evangelical church. "
Click to expand...
Given the simple fact in the difference of the real presence between Evangelical and Catholic, and assuming you understand this difference, wouldn’t you agree that this doctrine itself be the main issue? IOW, if a Catholic leaves the faith for a faith because they are “evangelical”, the way i understand what you mean it here, they must have never agreed in the real presence, or at least never understood it, correct?

Peace!!!
 
adf417 said:
Given the simple fact in the difference of the real presence between Evangelical and Catholic, and assuming you understand this difference, wouldn’t you agree that this doctrine itself be the main issue? IOW, if a Catholic leaves the faith for a faith because they are “evangelical”, the way i understand what you mean it here, they must have never agreed in the real presence, or at least never understood it, correct?

Peace!!!
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all the quotes were from the linked article
did you read the article?

Nowhere did it say
Catholics leave the faith for a faith because they are “evangelical”,
 
Hi LiamQ,

I have a really good point of my own I’d like to bring up to contribute to this discussion. As people here already pointed out, the Roman Catholic dogma and teachings surrounding Mary are sticking points.

I have before me a Catholic pamphlet labeled “Pray the Rosary Daily.” I open it up and come to a page that says “The Promises of Mary to those who pray the Rosary.” Promise #1 says “Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.”

As a Protestant, serving Mary in this context is perceived to be unbiblical because we can read that Jesus says to serve God only(Luke 4:8; Deut 6:13). We make sense of this conflict by concluding that Catholics have a man-made tradition that is not only unbiblical, it conflicts with the bible—Jesus’ command to serve God only—by having Mary ask catholics to serve her. How can a protestant who adheres to Sola Scriptura not perceive that as idolatry? Some even probably view this as unbiblical revelation by a deceiving spirit masquerading as Mary to lead catholic christians away from the one true God, or at least serve an idol/deceiving spirit alongside God. There is seen a precedent in Chronicals and 1 and 2Kings where Israel was led astray by idols and the same thing is perceived as happening again today.

Hope this helps provide more insight. I in no way am speaking on behalf of Protestants here.

This was a sticking point for me as a protestant for years—and still is. I’m still wrapping my head around this as I seek to convert to the Catholic Church.
 
Cyril_Of_Canada said:
Hi LiamQ,

I have a really good point of my own I’d like to bring up to contribute to this discussion. As people here already pointed out, the Roman Catholic dogma and teachings surrounding Mary are sticking points.

I have before me a Catholic pamphlet labeled “Pray the Rosary Daily.” I open it up and come to a page that says “The Promises of Mary to those who pray the Rosary.” Promise #1 says “Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.”

As a Protestant, serving Mary in this context is perceived to be unbiblical because we can read that Jesus says to serve God only(Luke 4:8; Deut 6:13). We make sense of this conflict by concluding that Catholics have a man-made tradition that is not only unbiblical, it conflicts with the bible—Jesus’ command to serve God only—by having Mary ask catholics to serve her. How can a protestant who adheres to Sola Scriptura not perceive that as idolatry? Some even probably view this as unbiblical revelation by a deceiving spirit masquerading as Mary to lead catholic christians away from the one true God, or at least serve an idol/deceiving spirit alongside God. There is seen a precedent in Chronicals and 1 and 2Kings where Israel was led astray by idols and the same thing is perceived as happening again today.

Hope this helps provide more insight. I in no way am speaking on behalf of Protestants here.

This was a sticking point for me as a protestant for years—and still is. I’m still wrapping my head around this as I seek to convert to the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
Hi Cyril

I am not fond of this wording of the Marian apparitions either. I’m glad they are not a part of the deposit of the faith because I do not think i could except them all.

Overall, I think the Church is saying that Mary is a instrument of God and through the communion of Saints, by serving ‘her’ you are actually doing the will of God because she points to the Lord and her message to stop offending Him. If Jesus is the head of the body then Mary is most definitely the neck as nobody was/is as close to Him as she is. So I think she’s way more important than most non Catholics credit her for.

But that said, I think poorly catechized Catholic-Christians could see that pamphlet you are talking about and confuse Mary as another deity of sorts. And that bothers me and I wish it were addressed. Church practices should never cause people to stumble.
 
Lenten_ashes said:
Hi Cyril

I am not fond of this wording of the Marian apparitions either. I’m glad they are not a part of the deposit of the faith because I do not think i could except them all.

Overall, I think the Church is saying that Mary is a instrument of God and through the communion of Saints, by serving ‘her’ you are actually doing the will of God because she points to the Lord and her message to stop offending Him. If Jesus is the head of the body then Mary is most definitely the neck as nobody was/is as close to Him as she is. So I think she’s way more important than most non Catholics credit her for.

But that said, I think poorly catechized Catholic-Christians could see that pamphlet you are talking about and confuse Mary as another deity of sorts. And that bothers me and I wish it were addressed. Church practices should never cause people to stumble.
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I think I’ll call in on Catholic Answers Live and see what the appologists have to say.
 
Cyril_Of_Canada said:
Hi LiamQ,

I have a really good point of my own I’d like to bring up to contribute to this discussion. As people here already pointed out, the Roman Catholic dogma and teachings surrounding Mary are sticking points.

I have before me a Catholic pamphlet labeled “Pray the Rosary Daily.” I open it up and come to a page that says “The Promises of Mary to those who pray the Rosary.” Promise #1 says “Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.”

As a Protestant, serving Mary in this context is perceived to be unbiblical because we can read that Jesus says to serve God only(Luke 4:8; Deut 6:13). We make sense of this conflict by concluding that Catholics have a man-made tradition that is not only unbiblical, it conflicts with the bible—Jesus’ command to serve God only—by having Mary ask catholics to serve her. How can a protestant who adheres to Sola Scriptura not perceive that as idolatry? Some even probably view this as unbiblical revelation by a deceiving spirit masquerading as Mary to lead catholic christians away from the one true God, or at least serve an idol/deceiving spirit alongside God. There is seen a precedent in Chronicals and 1 and 2Kings where Israel was led astray by idols and the same thing is perceived as happening again today.

Hope this helps provide more insight. I in no way am speaking on behalf of Protestants here.

This was a sticking point for me as a protestant for years—and still is. I’m still wrapping my head around this as I seek to convert to the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
Hi Cyril, I can understand the concern that you have cited, but if those who do not understand the Rosary would do a bit of digging and research as to what is being practiced I think there would be a different perspective. I do acknowledge that there are those within the Catholic Church that may erroneously apply superstition and mistaken theology regarding the Saints and the Blessed Mother, however I do not think their intentions are malicious, just misguided and uninformed. I know that when I Pray the Rosary, especially in times of stress, at the end I am left feeling peaceful and renewed.

I have attached two PDFs (Not My Work) regarding the Rosary, you can choose to read them or not, but it is just more information that may clear up some misconceptions.
 
Cyril_Of_Canada said:
Hi LiamQ,

I have a really good point of my own I’d like to bring up to contribute to this discussion. As people here already pointed out, the Roman Catholic dogma and teachings surrounding Mary are sticking points.

I have before me a Catholic pamphlet labeled “Pray the Rosary Daily.” I open it up and come to a page that says “The Promises of Mary to those who pray the Rosary.” Promise #1 says “Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.”

As a Protestant, serving Mary in this context is perceived to be unbiblical because we can read that Jesus says to serve God only(Luke 4:8; Deut 6:13). We make sense of this conflict by concluding that Catholics have a man-made tradition that is not only unbiblical, it conflicts with the bible—Jesus’ command to serve God only—by having Mary ask catholics to serve her. How can a protestant who adheres to Sola Scriptura not perceive that as idolatry? Some even probably view this as unbiblical revelation by a deceiving spirit masquerading as Mary to lead catholic christians away from the one true God, or at least serve an idol/deceiving spirit alongside God. There is seen a precedent in Chronicals and 1 and 2Kings where Israel was led astray by idols and the same thing is perceived as happening again today.

Hope this helps provide more insight. I in no way am speaking on behalf of Protestants here.

This was a sticking point for me as a protestant for years—and still is. I’m still wrapping my head around this as I seek to convert to the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
I won’t say I see it as idolatry. I won’t even say it’s wrong but I won’t say I think it’s right either.

My question is rather. If one is going to put that many minutes or even hours for some into praying the rosary, why not pray to God/Jesus instead with that “time”?

If I were Catholic I’d have more a “cut out the middleman approach”
 
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