Some people study the “history of Christianity” and find that it supports Catholicism. Others study the same history and find that it supports Protestantism. Still others are confirmed by the research that Mormonism must be correct. And still others consider the history of Christianity and are convinced that it is yet another man-made religion and nothing more.
It’s a very complex topic. But I can speak with some personal authority on the subject, having bounced through a great many religions before finally coming home.
The reasons for being or not being one thing or another run the gamut from: “I never thought about it” to “I’ve written fifteen books on the subject.”
Personally, I have a reason for each religion I tried, and a reason I eventually abandoned each of them. The reasons evolved as my knowledge and understanding both of myself, and the disciplines necessary to make a reasoned choice, increased.
I’m not Hindu or Buddhist because one had an easily falsified set of tenets, the other has an inherent flaw in its structure that falsifies the whole thing.
I’m no longer one of the many Protestant sects I tried because I eventually sat down and actually studied Luther, his Protest, and his reasoning (and after learning enough theology and philosophy, ended up independently falsifying two of the solas before discovering that Catholic authors and theologians had already done most of the heavy lifting in that department).
I gave up on Atheism because of the fundamental ignorance and irrationality that one must embrace to hold it as true.
I’m no Muslim because it has a different inherent flaw than Hinduism or Buddhism, but still a flaw that falsifies it (and to my surprise, the Holy Father later replicated my argument in a speech, though not with the intent I had.)
But none of that would have happened had I not been who I am. My internal drives, combined with some fortunate external events, allowed me to study, learn, think and finally, decide. I’m Catholic because I can’t falsify it. God knows I tried, too! But others take a less tortured, shorter path.
So the short answer is: “God calls us all, but not all of us listen, and of those who listen, not all answer.”
. Suggest reading the tract below as it highlights the apostolic succession from today, right back to St Peter and the church fathers belief of one church and not 5 or 10 or today’s 38,000. You have to understand both scripture and tradition.
