I am Protestant because I was raised in a Protestant home. Interestingly, my mother was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools. My father was a Baptist. My mother left the Catholic Church. In Catholic school, she was intimidated and frightened by the harsh discipline from the nuns. Her parents divorced when she was still rather young, and perhaps because they were somewhat ashamed (it was the 1930s), they gradually drifted away from church services altogether. My mother, disillusioned with Catholicism, eventually began attending Baptist services after marrying my father. Growing up, my mother took me and my siblings to church every week. I never had a negative view of Catholics or Catholicism. To me, Catholics were just as Christian as Baptists—they just had slightly different beliefs and religious ceremonies. But I always considered Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and all Christian churches to be part of the body of Christ. Though I would leave the Baptist church in following years, I never found myself attracted to the Catholic Church for a couple reasons. My grandfather, like my mother, was Catholic. I should note here that my grandfather never expressed his displeasure that my mother left the church—he was always a soft-spoken, loving man. After he and my grandmother divorced, he never remarried. My grandmother passed away some years before my grandfather. They had only two children, my mother and my uncle who died shortly after my grandmother. When my grandfather died, my family attended the memorial service at his church. The Catholic ceremony was lovely. My grandfather had selflessly donated his body to research, but his youthful picture was on display along with a folded American flag—a reminder of his military service. But after the presiding priest finished the ceremony, he came down from the altar and extended his hand and words of comfort to my grandfather’s only nephew, who is also Catholic. The priest then turned and walked away, ignoring my mother—my grandfather’s only other living relative. The message was clear: “I will not talk to you because you left the church.” I was shocked that a man of God could do that. I still have never witnessed anything remotely similar to that at a Protestant memorial service. Jesus taught us to love everyone, including our enemies. According to the Bible, we Christians need to open our hearts to everyone. Certainly, a grieving woman is worthy of a kind word and a gentle touch, regardless of her religious affiliation. In the years that followed, I was moved to reach out to find the God I had set aside many years previously. I attended church services at several different Protestant denominations, but none ever seemed to fit me. I became curious about the Catholic faith and started to tune in to the local Catholic radio station while driving. I heard some wonderful messages. But I also heard a message of exclusivity and divisiveness. I learned that Catholics are taught that Protestants are less likely to go to heaven. I learned that Catholics believe Catholicism is the one true Christian religion. One caller asked radio host Patrick Madrid if he believed that people could receive divine signs from God. Madrid replied, “Yes, but not non-Catholics.” I was saddened by that response. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man may come unto the Father but by me.” He didn’t say “No man may come unto the Father but by the Catholic Church,” or by the Baptist church, or by any church for that matter. Former atheist Howard Storm wrote a book called “My Descent Into Death” in which he describes his death, descent into Hell, and his eventual rescue by Jesus. Obviously he was astonished that an afterlife exists and he asked Jesus many questions, including “What is the correct religion?” Jesus’ response was “The religion that brings you closer to God.” I believe it is a simple as that. God loves us and wants us to worship him with all our hearts. He also wants us to love others. I look forward to the day when I can stand before Jesus and see him in all his wondrous glory. And I look forward to being reunited with my Christian brethren, Catholics and Protestants alike. God bless.
