Protestants, why are you here?

[Peter_J]

Anyway, when I wanted to learn more about catholicism, this seemed like the natural place for me to start precisely because it’s a forum which clearly states that it’s open to non-catholics.

Not really, no. I’m Catholic so I’m on CAF.

Hi oberyn3 and GodIsGracious. I enjoyed reading each of your takes on the matter. Personally I guess I fall “somewhere in the middle” – specifically, I haven’t joined a Methodist website to talk to Methodists, or joined a Presbyterian website to talke to Presbyterians, etc.; but on the other hand, I don’t take the approach of limiting myself to Catholic website because I’m Catholic … I also participate on a few different subforums over at ChristianForums.

(Note: I did sign up for an account on an Orthodox website/forum a couple years ago, but I don’t really count that because I’m not currently active on it.)

Anyhow, I’ve got to run; but it’s certainly interesting, all the different p.o.v. people have been expressing here. (Perhaps later I’ll comment on Thorwald’s post. )

 

[GodIsGracious]

Hi oberyn3 and GodIsGracious. I enjoyed reading each of your takes on the matter. Personally I guess I fall “somewhere in the middle” – specifically, I haven’t joined a Methodist website to talk to Methodists, or joined a Presbyterian website to talke to Presbyterians, etc.; but on the other hand, I don’t take the approach of limiting myself to Catholic website because I’m Catholic … I also participate on a few different subforums over at ChristianForums.

(Note: I did sign up for an account on an Orthodox website/forum a couple years ago, but I don’t really count that because I’m not currently active on it.)

Anyhow, I’ve got to run; but it’s certainly interesting, all the different p.o.v. people have been expressing here. (Perhaps later I’ll comment on Thorwald’s post. )

I am not strong enough in apologetics to defend the Catholic faith so I stay close to home. Plus also, I know I’d get upset at the way non-Catholic Christians refer to different things about Catholics. And another thing, knowing that some believe in self-interpretation, I can’t trust that what they interpret from the bible to be true and infallible.

I guess there are others with far stronger … uhm … spiritual “stomachs” than I.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

I came across Catholic Answers Forums a few weeks before last Christmas at which time I was an Evangelical without a church home having come to the conclusion that any non–Catholic Western Christian position – whether Reformed, Arminian or any variation thereof that elevated the Bible above the Church – was wayward. I’d been quietly considering Holy Orthodoxy for about three years and had become increasingly drawn to it for the first six months (or so) of 2008. However, in the middle of 2008 – around this time last year – I experienced a major setback when I came critically to examine the Orthodox understanding of salvation. I tried as best I could but I just couldn’t get comfortable with it. The reason, as I soon realized, was that it hugely impacted my prayer life (which has always been central to my Christian faith). I had to wrestle with the idea that if the Orthodox understanding of salvation were true, it meant that I had God completely wrong – or, even worse, that for years I’d been praying to a God that didn’t exist! It threw me completely and I was in a state of great consternation. I calmed down in due course but then I remembered that the Catholic understanding of salvation is pretty much the same as the Orthodox one so the next thought that occurred to me was that the Catholic Church is more organized than the Orthodox Church so perhaps it was upon the Catholic Church that I should focus my attention? And that was my mindset when I came to Catholic Answers Forums.

Since coming to Catholic Answers Forums I’ve spent most of my screen time in the Non–Catholic Religions forum and continued my seeking but as I didn’t completely close the door on Orthodoxy my inquiry turned into a comparison between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. That continued for some months. Then, just a couple of months ago, I reached the end of my journey and became an Orthodox catechumen. At that point, there was really no reason to continue posting on Catholic Answers Forums as I was no longer an “inquirer into truth” since I considered that I’d found the fullness of truth in Holy Orthodoxy and as an Orthodox catechumen I now had a spiritual adviser and he was the guy whose direction and counsel I’d be listening to as I settled down to finding a modus vivendi prior to becoming accepted into the Church (perhaps next Pascha – I’m in no hurry). But I decided to stay on Catholic Answers Forums because I’ve made a couple of friends with whom I converse by occasional email outside of forum admin eyes and in any case some of the Catholic Answers Forums posters are very smart (even some of the Catholic ones ) and provide challenging points of view plus there’s the occasional interesting link. And there’s always the possibility that I’ll make some more friends.

So there’s no good reason not to stay.

Ecumenically,
Mick

Congratulations Mick. I’m so very happy that you have determined where you belong. May your catecumenate be joyful, fruitful and all the blessing you deserve.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

If you’ll excuse me for asking a question that’s been asked before (in various forms) why are you (Protestants) here?

I often hear Protestants posters say that they’re here because they like conversing with Catholics – which I definitely respect, but it seems to me like an incomplete answer. Put it this way: I have many times chatted with Methodists [resp. Prebyterians, etc] both on and off the internet, but I’ve never felt like in order to do so I needed to sign-up for an account on a Methodist [resp. Prebyterian, etc] website.

So I guess the specific question I’d like to ask Protestant posters is this: Do you feel like there’s a dearth of Catholics in your life (online and/or offline) which you try to compensate for by coming here?

I have a number of reasons:

1. I used to be a Catholic and posted here as such, and missed a few old friends, so I’m able to enjoy their discussions here now as an Episcopalian.
2. I really enjoy meeting other Protestants to get their take on things. I tend to know what to expect from “most” RC’s here.
3. Most Protestant boards including Episcopalian or Anglican boards are very poorly attended so you can go a week and not miss much.
4. There is somewhat more control here, though the adminstration clearly favors Catholics and lets them get away with more bashing that we could ever do.Still it is worse in other places.
5. I sometimes run across really deep folks with ideas I’ve never contemplated, so it makes me think. This would occur anywhere, but here there is enough traffic that it happens a lot.
6. There is less of the Catholic bashing allowed here, which can occur a lot on other forums, and I find most of it predictable, boring, and irrelevant, having been long answered by me in the past. LOL.
7. I get some great ideas for blog posts and that happens at least once every couple weeks.
8. I get links to new sites and new material that I often find useful in my own study pursuits. I’ve learned some things from others, and have had great conversations usually until the usual players show up and disrupt things with invective! But I’ve had great conversations where everyone opposed what I believed but was unfailingly civil and respectful and we all got along fine.
9. I’ve made a few very nice friendships with Episcopalians here. And I also treasure the closet Catholics who don’t post here, but read, and send me PM’s from time to time which are heartwarming and encouraging.
10. I find it amusing there are three people so far who were very put off of continuing to investigate Catholicism because of a few well known posters, and I was helpful in getting them to continue under the theory that this place is not where you find the average Catholic. Which is bizarre I have to say, that I am encouraging people to join a church I left!
11. I have an ever waning hope that we can find common ground on some important issues, ignore the rest and see our way to doing the work of Jesus.

Those are mine.

 

[4Squarebaby]

Just thinking, I should have included another question in the OP: Has anyone here ever said to themselves with regard to a church or denomination other than Catholic “I’d like to converse with [Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc.], so I guess I’d better sign up for an account on a [Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc.] forum.” ?

Not those specifically because they don’t hold themselves out as first among almost equals. Perhaps I would if you had used JWs, INC, or LDS. Perhaps the sabbath keepers because they are so insistant that the rest of us are breaking God’s commandments. If my wife wasn’t Catholic I probably wouldn’t be here but at a general Christian board like crosswalk.

 

[Peter_J]

Clearly there are lot of different reasons why so many Protestants frequent this forum, many of which have already been said by various posters.

I’d like to add another one to the list: I think that some Protestants (not all, by any means, I certainly don’t want to stereotype anyone here!) perceive the RCC as some kind of ghetto – the natural consequence of which is a “you’ve-got-to-go-into-their-zone if-you-want-to-talk-to-them” mentality.

 

[distracted]

I found the site interesting so I joined.

what is most interesting?

 

[distracted]

Hi Peter,

As an Anglican, I first came here with questions that were coming up when my children first began attending a Roman Catholic School. I believe that I stay here to share and learn from my Christian brothers and sisters. I think that also since the Anglican/Episcopal Church comes up so much on this site that it is probably good to hear from those of us that are members of the Episcopal Church.

God Bless!

why do you send your children to a cAtholic school to be catholic-ized??

 

[Peter_J]

Not those specifically because they don’t hold themselves out as first among almost equals. Perhaps I would if you had used JWs, INC, or LDS.

Interesting … So you prefer conversing with Mormons [resp. JWs or Catholics] on a Mormon [resp. JW or Catholic] forum/website, rather than on a more general website like ChristianForums? (Of course, I’m here making the assumption that there are a lot of Mormons and JWs on ChristianForums. I could be wrong. I do know that there are a lot of Catholics there.)

 

[distracted]

I know my Bible very well, thank you. Please tell me the scripture(s) that supports the following;

1. The rosary.

I’m going to comment on only one of these…

The rosary made me a Christian, objectively speaking. I mean anyone can call himself a Christian… but to me a Christian is someone who loves Christ and does what he says or at least strives to do so…

hmmm… now i think about it, i have always been a Christian… :coffeeread:

but there was something missing that i was given when i began to rpay the rosary…

namely, I loved Jesus MORE… and followed him better… and He (Holy SPirit) began teaching me things that i never knew before… through the rosary… and then eventually through the Mass @ the Church that He established (2000 yrs ago… no other church goes back that far… [Christian church])…

The rosary was the beginning of a new life for me… True, at first, the devil threw a fit and i lost a lot and went through a lot of hell (Purgatory)… but in hindsight i see that God cares about things people don’t always care about, namely He wants us to get to Heaven… That is more important to him than all those “things” i lost, which were not necessarily gettin me on that narrow road that leads to heaven… not hardly… Jesus said it is difficult getting into Heaven, that many try to get in but aren’t strong enough (Lk 13:24)… The rosary gets /keeps a person on that narrow rd…

The Mass keeps one on that road… etc…

***If the Catholic Church is the original Church Christ established, then a person can believe in all those other things you mention… because that Chruch can be trusted… ***

God would not give us a Church that could not be trusted… that would go into apostacy somewhere down the road…

 

[Louie1983]

Clearly there are lot of different reasons why so many Protestants frequent this forum, many of which have already been said by various posters.

I’d like to add another one to the list: I think that some Protestants (not all, by any means, I certainly don’t want to stereotype anyone here!) perceive the RCC as some kind of ghetto – the natural consequence of which is a “you’ve-got-to-go-into-their-zone if-you-want-to-talk-to-them” mentality.]

Agree with what you have said here!

 

[4Squarebaby]

Interesting … So you prefer conversing with Mormons [resp. JWs or Catholics] on a Mormon [resp. JW or Catholic] forum/website, rather than on a more general website like ChristianForums? (Of course, I’m here making the assumption that there are a lot of Mormons and JWs on ChristianForums. I could be wrong. I do know that there are a lot of Catholics there.)

With Mormons and Witnesses the first and over riding fight will be are they Christians. If I wanted to just speak with them I would go to their sites. I can’t just enter a Morman Temple if I wished to after all.

 

[GodIsGracious]

Good question.
Jon

Thanks, Jon.

 

[GodIsGracious]

With Mormons and Witnesses the first and over riding fight will be are they Christians. If I wanted to just speak with them I would go to their sites. I can’t just enter a Morman Temple if I wished to after all.

Just so you know, Catholics don’t consider Mormons and Jehova’s Witnesses to be christian. I believe it is because they do not have a trinitarian baptism.

 

[Spooksam]

First of all, I do not see this as a “ghetto” where I have to get into the Catholic world to know how to talk with Catholics. I respect Catholics enough to want to speak intelligently with them. Even here at times, I have been accused of misquoting Catholic beliefs. I don’t want to do that.

I also spend time trying to learn more about what Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Muslims, Lutherans, etc. believe. I’ve even spent time in atheist forums.

And, I am not targettting Catholics - I just happen to live somewhere that is probably 80-90% Catholic.

And, as was recently pointed out, Catholics do not see Mormons as Christians even though Mormoms consider themselves to be Christian. I know of many Catholics AND PROTESTANTS who may attend church, but are not following Jesus Christ.

When I meet someone who claims to be Protestant or Catholic who lives a life contrary to the Word of God, I am a little skeptical.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

First of all, I do not see this as a “ghetto” where I have to get into the Catholic world to know how to talk with Catholics. I respect Catholics enough to want to speak intelligently with them. Even here at times, I have been accused of misquoting Catholic beliefs. I don’t want to do that.

Welcome to the forums Spooksam

I also spend time trying to learn more about what Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Muslims, Lutherans, etc. believe. I’ve even spent time in atheist forums.

Your inclusion of Lutherans in that list is kind of odd. Do you not consider Lutherans Christian?

And, as was recently pointed out, Catholics do not see Mormons as Christians even though Mormoms consider themselves to be Christian. I know of many Catholics AND PROTESTANTS who may attend church, but are not following Jesus Christ.

Yes that is why I just go with, “the Catholic Church is Christian.” It gets rid of all the ‘what if’ scenarios which may arise with individual believers.

When I meet someone who claims to be Protestant or Catholic who lives a life contrary to the Word of God, I am a little skeptical.

Not contrary to the Word of God just contrary to your interpretation of it.

God bless you

 

[Peter_J]

First of all, I do not see this as a “ghetto” where I have to get into the Catholic world to know how to talk with Catholics.

Don’t worry, I wasn’t suggesting that you do.

Like I said before (and as this thread demonstrates) there are many different reasons that Protestants post here. The “seeing Catholicism as a ghetto” reason doesn’t by any means apply to every single Protestant poster.

 

[JonNC]

I also spend time trying to learn more about what Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Muslims, Lutherans, etc. believe. I’ve even spent time in atheist forums.

Lutherans have been accused by some Protestants of being too Catholic, but this is the first time I’ve seen us mentioned in this company.
LDS’s, JW’s. and Muslims may demand an explanation of you!

Jon

 

[4Squarebaby]

Lutherans have been accused by some Protestants of being too Catholic, but this is the first time I’ve seen us mentioned in this company.
LDS’s, JW’s. and Muslims may demand an explanation of you!

Jon

Personally I would give him the benefit of doubt. The original question which lead to this branch of the thread mentioned many different “mainline” protestant denominations and I steered it towards the LDS, INC and JWs in my awnser. I also mentioned the SDA for their particular doctrine number 1.

 

[gcnuss]

Lutherans have been accused by some Protestants of being too Catholic, but this is the first time I’ve seen us mentioned in this company.
LDS’s, JW’s. and Muslims may demand an explanation of you!

Jon,

Some of us are accused of being too Catholic by fellow Lutherans.