SHOULD Catholics attend Protestant services?

[mikew262]

A.Pelliccio:

I dont know the exact Vatican teaching on this but I will not enter a Protestant ‘place of worship’, I will not pray with them, and I will will not attend their ‘services’. My own personal opinion is that something like that would legitamize their heresy and weaken Catholic truth. If we as the Catholic church have a supernatural religion with sanctifying grace why do we even need to go something like that? That in itself is a slap in the face to the perfect nature of Christ and HIS Chruch.

Geez, it’s not “Satan” worship.

It’s sad that some of us have such disrepect for our fellow Christians. The same goes for non-Catholics showing disrespect for Catholics. When it comes down to it, we are all Christians, sharing many of the same basic truths.

If you have a non-Catholic friend thats invites you to their worship service, why not go, as long as you still attend Mass. Invite them in turn to come to Mass with you.

This borderline religious racism benefits no one.

 

[Linnyo]

palmas85:

I will point out something here that many people either do not realize or don’t want to admit. A lot, not all but a lot of Protestants don’t believe that the Catholic Church is even Christian and is really a cult. If you do a google search on anti Catholic apologists you will find literally thousands of sites that specialize in attacking the Catholic faith.

While you who choose to go to a Protestant service may see yourself as being compassionate, caring and setting a good example for them to emulate, they don’t see it that way at all.

They see you as being weak, indecisive and not believing your own churches theology. As a general rule,most of them would not even consider coming to the Mass, which by the way they see as being an abomination and totally unsupported by scripture, and the fact that you, the Catholic , attends their service shows them that the Mass itself is not serving your spiritual needs. If it did, why would you go to their church? Why compromise your beliefs? At least that is how they see it.

Now I’m not talking about the secular Protestants, the ones who like the secular Catholic among us, show up at Church one day a week, or a month or a year and then promptly forget about it until the next time they decide to make an appearance… Since religion is of secondary importance to them they would consider it to mean exactly the same thing to you, next to nothing, so where you go doesn’t really make a difference. They are also the ones who will normally tell you they don’t need to go to church because they carry their church in their heart. A lot of Catholics say that too by the way. No I’m speaking about the hardline protestants who go to church every week and practice their faith.

And yes i know there are those out there who will say that is not the case, that I’m wrong, that I am not ecumenically minded etc etc. Fine, check it out. Don’t take my word for it. Look around, do the research, and then come back and tell me that I’m wrong…

Many other non-catholics recognise Catholics as their brothers and sisters in Christ. Catholics could dop the same and recognise that Christians who worship in other places are their brothers and sisters in Christ. That would bring us a little bit closer to being the Church God wants us to be - a loving church!

 

[SnorterLuster]

MaryD7:

If my neighbor, nephew, or cousin look up to me because of the way I live my Catholic faith then I would then assume that they know me and my background. I would also assume that they would know me well enough to ask me what I was doing. And I would say that out of respect for my father, sisters, whatever, that I attended a service. They would know by the way I live my life that I am not straddling both fences.

My mother always had a saying about the word assume. Not that I would go into details here. My dad’s family were all Lutherans. They often invited me to go to services with them but I always declined explaining that I was a Catholic and would not attend another church. Guess what, they respected my commitment to my Church more than they would have gotten out of me attending their service.

Given this scenario, if your father respectfully asked you to attend an event that you knew that your old girlfriend would be attending also, would you not go because she was going to be there? I would think that it wouldn’t make a difference since your heart belongs to another. It’s the same with me and my Catholic faith. My heart belongs to the Church … I know it and God knows it. If an old girlfriend was going to be at a public event, I would of course go. How could I go to a highschool reunion otherwise. What I would not do is leave my wife at home while I took an old girlfriend out to dinner and a movie. My heart might still be with my wife, but I really doubt that she would understand. Maybe God & I would realize it, but my wife would probably make sure I met my maker in short order.

 

[MaryD7]

SnorterLuster:

If an old girlfriend was going to be at a public event, I would of course go. How could I go to a highschool reunion otherwise. What I would not do is leave my wife at home while I took an old girlfriend out to dinner and a movie. My heart might still be with my wife, but I really doubt that she would understand. Maybe God & I would realize it, but my wife would probably make sure I met my maker in short order.

But I’m not leaving God at home when I attend a Protestant Church. He is there with me.

You know, I’ve been thinking about this whole thread and I think the reason that this isn’t a problem for me is because I grew up with many loving, God fearing non-Catholics in my life. My Mother was probably the greatest example of Christianity that I had. She instilled in us a great love for Christ and provided me with a great example of how to bring God into my home now that I am a mother. I don’t find Christians of other faiths as a threat. If anything, I am extremely thankful that they were in my life growing up.

There are many wonderful, devout, intelligent, compassionate Protestants who are just as passionate about their love of God as many Catholics I know. I don’t honestly understand why listening to a sermon and singing some hymns, all for the glory of God, is such a problem. I’m not leaving my faith. I am not compromising my beliefs. I’m sitting in a church.

You know, sometimes I wonder what the afterlife is going to look like. Big signs that say, “Protestants Enter Here”, “Catholics Enter Here”?

 

[johntkd]

SnorterLuster:

I have to respectfully disagree with the last few posters. The point of not attending Protestant services is not about you converting, it is about the people that look up to you.

You may have a neighbor, nephew, or cousin who look up to you because of the way you live your Catholic faith. You may inspire them to investigate Catholicism or to lead a holier life because of your example. When they see you attending other services, they could well conclude that being or believing Catholic is not that important. Our actions speak volumes about what we believe. I believe the Catholic Church is the one, true Church. Me attending other church services could sure lead one to observe that I don’t really believe that, or I wouldn’t attend the other services.

It also could shpow them that you have respect for all people, as far as someone looking up to me< well if they dont like what i do to bad, I am not out to impress other people by avoiding something because it might “make them think differently of me”
if that sways them in itself they didnt have much faith anyways, same as peopel whom would avoid going because they are worried they may be “converted” A church is a Church, I doubt very much Jesus looks at what is on the sign out front, I am very sure he pays more attention to whats in the heart and the actions.
and if you read YOUR CATHOLIC BIBLE and truely believe in it then you would know there are at least 7 churches not just one.
(Revalations) you really need to be less closed minded and look at a bigger picture.
If we want to start comparing apples to oranges, Jesus was a JEW, that must mean the Jewish faith is the only true faith by what you are saying…
John

 

[johntkd]

palmas85:

I will point out something here that many people either do not realize or don’t want to admit. A lot, not all but a lot of Protestants don’t believe that the Catholic Church is even Christian and is really a cult. If you do a google search on anti Catholic apologists you will find literally thousands of sites that specialize in attacking the Catholic faith.

While you who choose to go to a Protestant service may see yourself as being compassionate, caring and setting a good example for them to emulate, they don’t see it that way at all.

They see you as being weak, indecisive and not believing your own churches theology. As a general rule,most of them would not even consider coming to the Mass, which by the way they see as being an abomination and totally unsupported by scripture, and the fact that you, the Catholic , attends their service shows them that the Mass itself is not serving your spiritual needs. If it did, why would you go to their church? Why compromise your beliefs? At least that is how they see it.

Now I’m not talking about the secular Protestants, the ones who like the secular Catholic among us, show up at Church one day a week, or a month or a year and then promptly forget about it until the next time they decide to make an appearance… Since religion is of secondary importance to them they would consider it to mean exactly the same thing to you, next to nothing, so where you go doesn’t really make a difference. They are also the ones who will normally tell you they don’t need to go to church because they carry their church in their heart. A lot of Catholics say that too by the way. No I’m speaking about the hardline protestants who go to church every week and practice their faith.

And yes i know there are those out there who will say that is not the case, that I’m wrong, that I am not ecumenically minded etc etc. Fine, check it out. Don’t take my word for it. Look around, do the research, and then come back and tell me that I’m wrong…

No you are right and a lot of Catholics call other Protestant churches cults as well, each is guilty of this.
I personally find a lot of cult in all churches,
we are seeing a tiny bit of it on this thread, people are speaking up about other churches and assuming its outlawed by the church
they dont know personally but because they feel there are so many rules and regulations they automatically assume, thats cultish. there are also Catholics that would jump off a bridge if the church told them to do so,that is cultish, does the church teach this? not necessarily but some people comprehend it,
they believe the church is all perfect ( which its not), they believe its never wrong( which it is and has been on many things) thats why changes happen, 50 years ago it was "sinful to eat meat on Fridays, now its only during lent.
then you have your cannon laws, Not scripture, but Church made.
which is varying from the Bible in ways, that can be defined as cultish, then the biggest thing that makes the Catholic church seem cultish is the fact they make people sign “contracts” if interfaith marriage that they will bring Children up as Catholics.
in many ways that can be considering forcing someone into the religion. someone to young and small to know any difference at all. And if these young people are never exposed to “other religions” they cannot truely make a sound judggement to be confirmed…

Now I am not trying to start arguements or accusations,I am merely stating why other religions feel this way.
And I feel I can say this with all honesty as I am in the process of converting, I know what the differences are between many of the churches. I have something most cradle Catholics will never know,
or relize for that matter, because they only know what they were taught all thier lives.and many are to afraid to even look inside another church much less find out about it.they would rather hear something about it then just form an opinion about it and pass it on which is Gossip…

ask me if i believe in everything the Church says and my answer will be a total honest from the heart NO,
does that make me a bad Candidate NO not at all according to many…well i guess i have done enough damage for tonight
John

 

[johntkd]

MaryD7:

Palmas, I do understand what you are saying but the way my life is I just don’t see it being a problem. I live in New York City. My parish is a half a block away. I’m in and out of there all the time. I am sure that if someone saw me entering a Protestant church no one would think twice about it. They are part of our landscape and community here. They have preschools that parishioners use. They have afterschool programs for the kids. It’s not a big deal. In fact, I know Protestants are involved in some of our community activities.

My family lives far away from me, dispersed across the country. If I go to visit them and they ask me to attend one of their services I will go. No one knows me and I honestly don’t know why they would ever think to question what background I came from. I am so & so’s sister, daughter, etc. I don’t have a big RC etched on my forehead so unless they knew of my background somehow, it really shouldn’t be on anybody’s radar. And if it was, so what? I’ll answer any and all questions (at least try to) that they have.

I come from a background where Catholics were considered bad but we also didn’t know any. Surprise, surprise that when I finally met some they weren’t bad and they were open to discussion with me. I didn’t come to the Catholic Church out of the blue. It was because of the example, time, and tutoring of these wonderful people in my life that I was led to the Church. If we segregate ourselves from the world then how are we suppose to reach out to others?

Exactly how i got here also, fiance is catholic, we attended Pre marriage sessions with the priest, I went to masses found it interesting, Priest treated me with respect, answered questions and we also debated, I think the things that turned my mind the most was he never cut me down, never told me i was dead wrong,
Instead would listen carefully to what i said, without interuption, then would say something like I can understand how you feel on that or I know what you mean, or yep that is true, and when he didnt totally agree with me it was I can see how you would come to that now this is why we feel the way we do and would explain origins…By listening with respect, and not cutting me down it got communications going I listened to him he listened to me,changed my mind on so much of what I was taught about Catholics…Incidently My fiance and I are in the same RCIA class, so while going through all this I got to also spend quality time with her as well, and even before I decided to "convert i had been attending classes with her.and even doing the work in the books…
that in itself probably helped a lot, as I was never treated or felt like an outsider, I was always welcomed, and felt truely welcomed

John

 

[johntkd]

Linnyo:

Many other non-catholics recognise Catholics as their brothers and sisters in Christ. Catholics could dop the same and recognise that Christians who worship in other places are their brothers and sisters in Christ. That would bring us a little bit closer to being the Church God wants us to be - a loving church!

lets not forget the Name sake either in that comment "universal"

a universal loving Church

 

[johntkd]

MaryD7:

But I’m not leaving God at home when I attend a Protestant Church. He is there with me.

You know, I’ve been thinking about this whole thread and I think the reason that this isn’t a problem for me is because I grew up with many loving, God fearing non-Catholics in my life. My Mother was probably the greatest example of Christianity that I had. She instilled in us a great love for Christ and provided me with a great example of how to bring God into my home now that I am a mother. I don’t find Christians of other faiths as a threat. If anything, I am extremely thankful that they were in my life growing up.

There are many wonderful, devout, intelligent, compassionate Protestants who are just as passionate about their love of God as many Catholics I know. I don’t honestly understand why listening to a sermon and singing some hymns, all for the glory of God, is such a problem. I’m not leaving my faith. I am not compromising my beliefs. I’m sitting in a church.

You know, sometimes I wonder what the afterlife is going to look like. Big signs that say, “Protestants Enter Here”, “Catholics Enter Here”?

Like i have said a million times I really dont think Jesus looks at the signs in front of the churches, he looks in the hearts,minds, and souls, actions speak louder than words,words written in front of a church mean little to actions done inside…
John

 

[mosher]

MaryD7:

In my eyes, there are many more scandalous places I could go.

No, no there isn’t because there is nothing more scandalous than heresy save maybe blasphemy but they are roughly the same.

 

[mikew262]

MaryD7:

But I’m not leaving God at home when I attend a Protestant Church. He is there with me.

You know, I’ve been thinking about this whole thread and I think the reason that this isn’t a problem for me is because I grew up with many loving, God fearing non-Catholics in my life. My Mother was probably the greatest example of Christianity that I had. She instilled in us a great love for Christ and provided me with a great example of how to bring God into my home now that I am a mother. I don’t find Christians of other faiths as a threat. If anything, I am extremely thankful that they were in my life growing up.

There are many wonderful, devout, intelligent, compassionate Protestants who are just as passionate about their love of God as many Catholics I know. I don’t honestly understand why listening to a sermon and singing some hymns, all for the glory of God, is such a problem. I’m not leaving my faith. I am not compromising my beliefs. I’m sitting in a church.

You know, sometimes I wonder what the afterlife is going to look like. Big signs that say, “Protestants Enter Here”, “Catholics Enter Here”?

Great post!

 

[mikew262]

johntkd:

Like i have said a million times I really dont think Jesus looks at the signs in front of the churches, he looks in the hearts,minds, and souls, actions speak louder than words,words written in front of a church mean little to actions done inside…

                   John

Yep!

 

[mikew262]

mosher:

No, no there isn’t because there is nothing more scandalous than heresy save maybe blasphemy but they are roughly the same.

“When 2 or more people gather in my name, I will be there”. Doesn’t sound like Heresy or Blasphemy to me.

 

[Talitha]

Amen, Mary and Mike; amen

 

[palmas85]

johntkd:

Like i have said a million times I really dont think Jesus looks at the signs in front of the churches, he looks in the hearts,minds, and souls, actions speak louder than words,words written in front of a church mean little to actions done inside…

                   John

If that is the case then I don’t see how you can believe that the Catholic Church is the true church.

 

[mosher]

“When 2 or more people gather in my name, I will be there”. Doesn’t sound like Heresy or Blasphemy to me.

That is absurd. Don’t use the words of Christ to cause a de facto approval of non-Church religions. They are intrinsically deficient and by that they are intrinsically heretical.

 

[johntkd]

palmas85:

If that is the case then I don’t see how you can believe that the Catholic Church is the true church.

who says I do believe its the “one true Church”

I believe in the Bible and as Mikew262 put it "Where 2 or more people gather in my name, I will be there"
That is in Plain print and one of the very first things we were taught in RCIA class, why dont you believe in that, are you the type that picks and chooses certain things to be able to argue a point,

and did Jesus ever come out and say the Catholic Church was the “one true Church”, No he didnt, I can name at least two other denominations that believe they are the “one true church”
Just because a person or an organization makes a claim, dont mean its true or that I have to trust in it…
I am sorry if I do not have the mentality to let any organization control my thinking and life without thought, but thats the way I was raised to be independant, and be able to use my GOD given Brain…so am I reluctant? yes I am… do i believe in lots of things? yes I do.

And remember we are ALL entitled to our own opinions anyways…

John

 

[Walking_Home]

johntkd:

who says I do believe its the “one true Church”

John

I am amazed with this statement. If this is what you believe, why are you even Catholic. If this form of belief in the Church was encouraged in your RCIA class, I will say, your class was deficient.

 

[Anonimous]

SnorterLuster:

Likewise, when I received the Sacrament of Marriage, I made a commitment to God & my wife for life. I quit seeing old girlfriends and I quit dating.

Going to Protestant services seems to me to be like the convert who cannot give up his old girlfriend. She’s comfortable and surely she wouldn’t lead you astray. Likewise, a cradle Catholic who attends Protestant services is like the husband who continues dating. The ole wife is OK, but there might be something better out there.

I just have to go back to SL’s earlier comments… I truly believe that until we see the Mass truly truly truly as the WEDDING FEAST OF THE LAMB… the very BRIDE OF CHRIST and THE BRIDE-GROOM HIMSELF…and see our Sunday Obligation as an ON-GOING invitation to the MYSTYICAL UNION… then I think it would be hard for any protestant (or Catholic) to understand why it is NOT RECOMMENDED to covet your neighbor’s “denomination”…

The Church is not a “de-nomiation” …
The CHURCH is THE-NOMINATION…
The NAME OF PETER which literally means “ROCK”…
The only other Person in SACRED SCRIPTURE who has the name “ROCK”…
Is GOD…
And God is a JEALOUS GOD!!!
:ehh: :ehh: :ehh:

 

[mosher]

johntkd:

who says I do believe its the “one true Church”

I believe in the Bible and as Mikew262 put it "Where 2 or more people gather in my name, I will be there"
That is in Plain print and one of the very first things we were taught in RCIA class, why dont you believe in that, are you the type that picks and chooses certain things to be able to argue a point,

and did Jesus ever come out and say the Catholic Church was the “one true Church”, No he didnt, I can name at least two other denominations that believe they are the “one true church”
Just because a person or an organization makes a claim, dont mean its true or that I have to trust in it…
I am sorry if I do not have the mentality to let any organization control my thinking and life without thought, but thats the way I was raised to be independant, and be able to use my GOD given Brain…so am I reluctant? yes I am… do i believe in lots of things? yes I do.

And remember we are ALL entitled to our own opinions anyways…

John

If you believe this then you are not Catholic.