Protestants would going to a Catholic Mass be considered wrong for you to do?

[Publisher]

Friends have no problem worshipping with other faith traditions…I’ve been to Episcopal, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Christian Science, Mormon, RLDS, Catholic and Orthodox churches…I followed along as best I could in all of them and experienced the Presence in each of them. I didn’t participate in some of the ‘ritual’ as I felt it would be disrespectful to the particular faith tradition to participate in the “form” and not embrace the “substance”.

But I have no problem being among others who seek the Divine Presence in their lives…I’ve been to Buddhist meetings as well as a Wiccan “open circle” a time or two with some Wiccan friends I am acquainted with.

 

[Brian_C]

When I was a Baptist, I always wanted to go to a midnight Christmas Mass. I went once, in college, and found it wonderful. I must admit, like a previous poster mentioned, I was worried much of the time I was going to make some sort of goof. But in the mixed Catholic/Baptist family I grew up in, I don’t think there was any belief that a Mass was something to be avoided. Most conflict centered on confession and why priests had to be unmarried.

 

[lak611]

When I got Married I only had one co-worker come to my wedding I got the notion that they did not want to step foot into a Catholic Church. Exspecially when everyone went to another guys wedding shortly after. I have a new Job now and my mom just passed away I had a long term friend come who I also work with but someone else at work warned him about going to my moms memorial Mass. So what is it that worries alot of protestants about going to a Catholic service?

I am a Catholic, but for the most part, I only go to the wedding ceremony (Catholic or Protestant) if the bride or groom is a family member or close friend. Typically, if the bride or groom is an acquaintance or co-worker, I skip the ceremony and attend only the reception. It has nothing to do with religion. I just do not attend the ceremony of a person that I am not really close to.

Similarly, I will go to the wake for an acquaintance, co-worker, neighbour or a family member of any of these; but I will not go to the funeral Mass or service. I usually only go to funeral Masses or services of family members and close friends. Again, it has nothing to do with religion, rather the closeness of the relationship.

 

[mozart-250]

Since the last Catholic Mass I went to was a funeral mass in which the priest and my pastor co-officiated, I would say it would not be wrong.

I do get very confused on the standing / kneeling stuff that goes on though.

 

[Linnyo]

I used to be a protestant and at the time I would have had not problem going to a Catholic Mass on one condition. I felt like I was allowed. I thought I wasn’t welcome so I never went. The reason I felt unwelcome - Catholic kids went to different schools and chose not to play with us (were we really that evil?). Nobody who wasn;t Catholic really knew what went on at Mass - it was a bit like the Masons - top secret! So there was a fear of the unknown.

Now I make sure I never make people feel like thay are a lesser breed for being non-Catholic.

 

[Atemi]

Actually that’s an misunderstanding. The Catholic Church has never condemned anyone to hell if they go to Protestant Services.

They made it into a mortal sin which is damning. No semantic games necessary, Manny.

Suddenly, it is magically no longer such a sin.

What I was saying is that Catholics should understand these types of attitudes of not ever thinking to attend a service out of the faith. They are very Catholic ideas, or at least they were for centuries.

…

 

[Odell]

My family is Protestant and they are dreading the day I marry because they complain Catholic weddings are soooo long and boring(although they have never attended one). I guess because a lot of Catholic weddings have a Mass with it. Mine probably won’t since my whole half of the family isn’t Catholic…but thats their reasoning for not looking forward to going.

Dont let that stop you most my family and wifes family is the same. Maybe they will see the beauty of the Mass, you never know

They made it into a mortal sin which is damning. No semantic games necessary, Manny.

Suddenly, it is magically no longer such a sin.

What I was saying is that Catholics should understand these types of attitudes of not ever thinking to attend a service out of the faith. They are very Catholic ideas, or at least they were for centuries.

…

What you dont understand is that it **STILL IS **a Mortal sin to miss Mass.

Mass is heaven on earth if you choose not to go before the Lamb of God that is not a good thing. If you dont believe what we believe about the Mass then you should at least see where we come from if Christ was next door and you avoided him that would be a sin.

 

[lak611]

What you dont understand is that it **STILL IS **a Mortal sin to miss Mass.

Mass is heaven on earth if you choose not to go before the Lamb of God that is not a good thing. If you dont believe what we believe about the Mass then you should at least see where we come from if Christ was next door and you avoided him that would be a sin.

I really do not know if going to a Protestant service for a wedding or funeral used to be considered a mortal sin. However, I do not see where it would have caused one to miss Mass on Sunday. Most weddings are on Saturday, and most Protestants do not have funeral services on Sunday.

 

[Reuben_J]

I really do not know if going to a Protestant service for a wedding or funeral used to be considered a mortal sin. However, I do not see where it would have caused one to miss Mass on Sunday. Most weddings are on Saturday, and most Protestants do not have funeral services on Sunday.

I don’t think it is a mortal sin (or venial, let alone mortal) to go to a Protestant service for wedding or funeral. What is sin is when we start to believe their doctines that contradict ours.

It is refreshing to see non-Catholics, even Muslims with their head scarf and all, going to Catholic wedding or funeral mass. I have seen this many times.

The funeral mass of the late JP II was evidence enough of the goodwill among people of difference faiths.

 

[jfallaw]

i think it’s just a matter of not wanting to be confused or uncomfortable. i grew up catholic and went evangelical protestant in my late teens (don’t worry, i’m back!). i must admit that going from a traditional catholic church to a spirit-filled evangelical church was quite an experience and took a loong time to get used to. i honestly didn’t like it at first; it was too different, and LOUD!. but after getting to know the people and the form of worship, i found it quite lovely. but just not for me. i bet your coworkers and friends feel the same- hesitant, confused, possibly frightened. but i honestly doubt they feel like they will go to hell or something if they go to a Mass!

 

[Mannyfit75]

They made it into a mortal sin which is damning. No semantic games necessary, Manny.

I disagree. Let me explaiin.

Mortal sin requires three conditions, grave matter, full acknowledgement, and full consent. If all these three are not meant, the sin itself is venial.

Suddenly, it is magically no longer such a sin.

What I was saying is that Catholics should understand these types of attitudes of not ever thinking to attend a service out of the faith. They are very Catholic ideas, or at least they were for centuries.

…

It is a sin to miss Mass. If none of the three conditions are meant, it is venial. The Church has never condemned anyone to hell. This is a total misconception. If the individual Catholic knowingly know that missing Mass is a grave violation of the 3rd Commandment, consent to it, and does it becomes a mortal sin. He decided to condemn himself by missing the Mass.

I think a Protestant who wish to go to Mass should do so within their own limitations, and should not even received the Blessed Sacrament because Canonical Law forbids it.

 

[Teflon93]

Of course, for Catholics who have left the Church, each missed Mass is indeed a mortal sin, which may make them particularly sensitive on this issue.

Getting to Confession right away is recommended. There is no time to lose with one’s soul at stake.

 

[lak611]

Of course, for Catholics who have left the Church, each missed Mass is indeed a mortal sin, which may make them particularly sensitive on this issue.

Getting to Confession right away is recommended. There is no time to lose with one’s soul at stake.

Priests are compassionate. If one says he has not been to Mass in __ years, the priest will absolve him and welcome him back.

 

[Teflon93]

Priests are compassionate. If one says he has not been to Mass in __ years, the priest will absolve him and welcome him back.

Absolutely. May all of our prodigal sons return home that we may feast together.

 

[dparker]

I have no hesitation in attending any Catholic service. When I was a teenager I used to attend a Tuesday night charismatic mass at St. Dominics in Eagle Rock, CA. Loved it.

For those that have issues, I believe it’s usually a question of insecurity about acting ‘right’ and not comitting a huge embarrassing mistake by not knowing about how to cross themselves, stand, sit, recite, etc.

I’ve met very few Protestants that are concerned about the Catholic church being ‘the whore of Babylon’ or such nonsense.

That said, my brother-in-law and family refused to attend our youngest child’s baby dedication. They showed up at the house afterwards for the meal and party, but didn’t want to attend the service because it was “against the rules” for them being Catholic.

 

[BlestOne]

My dh’s Protestant family didn’t want to come to our wedding either… some said it is too long, but in truth it was no longer than the Lutheran weddings they have gone to. Others were afraid of “doing” something wrong… what is there to do wrong when you are attending a wedding… it isn’t like there is a whole lot of mandatory participation…

 

[SolaFide]

When I got Married I only had one co-worker come to my wedding I got the notion that they did not want to step foot into a Catholic Church. Exspecially when everyone went to another guys wedding shortly after. I have a new Job now and my mom just passed away I had a long term friend come who I also work with but someone else at work warned him about going to my moms memorial Mass. So what is it that worries alot of protestants about going to a Catholic service?

I would have no problem going to a Catholic wedding because I have. I have been to several Catholic masseswhen I was married to my first husband (but I wasn’t walking with God then though).

God ordained marriage in the Garden of Eden and blessed it. Marriage is a good thing to encourage and celebrate. It’s an earthly image of Christ and his bride; the true church, all true believers.

However, with regard to a memorial mass…that’s different. The basic concept, in brief, is to pray for the deceased and hopefully get them out of purgatory sooner. This is superstition and uses the anti-Biblical idea of purgatory. After death we await judgment, not burn off sins in purgatory

“…From the beginning the church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” (CCC 1032)

This totally flies in the face of Biblical doctrine. Jesus purifies us from ALL sin:

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and **the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. **
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are not cleansed by some alleged fire of purgatory but by the blood of Jesus Christ, wholly and completely:

Heb 9:12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
Heb 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, **cleanse your conscience from dead works **to serve the living God?

For by one sacrifice He perfected forever, for all time, those who are being sanctified.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering **He has perfected forever **those who are being sanctified.

As such, attending a “memorial mass” would be tantamount to condoning such unbiblical and superstititous behavior and rites. I would not attend.

 

[Odell]

I would have no problem going to a Catholic wedding because I have. I have been to several Catholic masseswhen I was married to my first husband (but I wasn’t walking with God then though).

God ordained marriage in the Garden of Eden and blessed it. Marriage is a good thing to encourage and celebrate. It’s an earthly image of Christ and his bride; the true church, all true believers.

However, with regard to a memorial mass…that’s different. The basic concept, in brief, is to pray for the deceased and hopefully get them out of purgatory sooner. This is superstition and uses the anti-Biblical idea of purgatory. After death we await judgment, not burn off sins in purgatory

“…From the beginning the church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” (CCC 1032)

Its not THE basic concept but it is a concept

This totally flies in the face of Biblical doctrine. Jesus purifies us from ALL sin:

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

AMEN

We are not cleansed by some alleged fire of purgatory but by the blood of Jesus Christ, wholly and completely:

You dont understand purgatory from the Cathlic stand point allow me to explain. Maybe it would shed some light on what we actually teach if you belive it or not.

FIRE

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
“For no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it.(this is when we die). It will be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will SUFFER loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire. “

How can one having attachment to sin be purged from that sin in the next life? However we go from sin-attached point A to detached point B is a process. That process, as explained in the Catholic faith, is purgation.

But 1 Corinthians talks about testing with fire and suffering loss. How does one suffer in Heaven? One does not go to Hell for a little while; one doesn’t suffer loss and then get out of Hell. So it seems that Paul in Corinthians is talking about some other place than Heaven and Hell.

what does fire due often times in the bible?

Well God is a consuming fire in Heb 12:29. “For our God is a consuming fire.”

1 Peter 1:7 says “So that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by FIRE, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor AT the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Sounds a lot like the fire that 1Corithians was talking about after we die.

(Rev. 3:18-19) “I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.”

This is after we die because Jesus is speaking from heaven and is awarding white garments of salvation after being purified by fire.

(Mal. 3:2-3) “But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye he will sit refining and purifying and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord.”

From scripture we can see that fire purifies. We are being purified in purgatory this is exactly what 1Corintians was referring too.

God disciplines us even though he has washed us from our sins. Once a person becomes a Christian does not mean that there are no further punishments for sins. “Because Jesus blood is good enough for you.” (Heb 12:5-11) verse 6 “for whom the Lord loves he disciplines.” Do you not think that we will be disciplined for unrepentant sins after we die? 1 Cor 3:11-15 seems to suggest that we do.

continued…

 

[Odell]

Purgatory is simply the last stage of sanctification. Sanctification in this life involves pain (suffering) “For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. . . . And for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant but later it brings righteousness to those who are trained by it.” Hebrews 12:6 and 11 says that earthly suffering does not violate Christ’s sufferings. In the same way, the suffering during the final sanctification in no way violates Christ’s sufferings or implies that His blood was not good enough.

On the contrary, the fact is that the suffering we experience in sanctification in this life is something we receive because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. His sufferings paid the price for us to be sanctified, and his sufferings paid the price for the whole of our sanctification in the first and final parts. Thus it is because of Christ’s sacrifice that we get the chance for the final sanctification in the first place. If he had not suffered and died, we would not be given the final sanctification. Thus, a concept of purgatory does not imply Christ’s sufferings were insufficient; rather it is because of Christ’s sufferings that we are given the opportunity for final sanctification through purgatory.

If you cant understand this then you would have a problem with Christ discipline on us for the sins he has already died for or forgiven.

Christ died for all sin but we MUST continue to be deciplined and santcified

Most Protestants belive this and therefore believe that there sins will not be taken with them into heaven. And Christ will purify them instanisasly

who knows it just might be instanisasly but we dont know the whole time concept outside of time.

When you die you more than likely will have unrepentant sins. Whom Christ will purify you of You want take the sin with you in heave for nothing unclean shall enter it (Rev 21:27)

Heb 9:12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
Heb 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, **cleanse your conscience from dead works **to serve the living God?

For by one sacrifice He perfected forever, for all time, those who are being sanctified.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering **He has perfected forever **those who are being sanctified.

As such, attending a “memorial mass” would be tantamount to condoning such unbiblical and superstititous behavior and rites. I would not attend.

Its amazing that at a memorial Mass we are there at that **eternal sacrafice **with all the angels and saints in heaven and our loved ones who have passed before us worshiping the Lamb of God.

Its a shame you would not atend

 

[happygal]

don’t make it sound like Catholic Churches are Dungeons…I have no problem going to Catholic and even for Mass…