Should I go to a Fundamentalist worship service?

[KittyGabriel]

Well, it all depends. Either way someone is going to get mad about it either for you going or for you not going, but let me ask you this: Do you believe that an old man with a long white beard and a big red “G” on his sweater cam down from the sky and poofed the entire world together in seven days rather than all the evidence of evolution? Furthermore, Do you think that this same old man ripped out the rib of a man and blew on it and poofed a woman together?
I think I’ve made my point quite clear.

 

[Smber2c]

I have a limited time to make up my mind. Thanks in advance!

Oh, I’d say don’t go. Sorry if I’m late.

No, I’m actually wanting to comment on the Protestant services thing.

In college most my friends were protestant. For most my freshman year I attended 2 weekly Methodist services (and sadly only went to the Catholic services about once a month). First a Thursday Wesly Worship services on campus, which was mostly music and a 15 minute talk. Then on Sunday, I went to a service that was like 30 minutes music, 30 minutes preaching.

I appreciate that they kick started my faith in some way. I went on my first and second mission trips with them. I started praying more. They really put a fire under my butt, but I’m also very thankful God provided me with some protection from actually leaving the Catholic Church (despite spotty attendance).

The logic of their sermons often contradicted one another, which kept me leery. Also, when entering a church and their ‘alter’ was a stage centered around a drum set…it felt very lacking.

But with a slightly better preacher or had my friends been a bit more anti-Catholic…I could have been gone. I wouldn’t mess with that again. If I’ve the time to go to a protestant Bible study or worship service…I’ve got time to attend mass, say a rosary, go to a Catholic Bible study, or go to adoration.

 

[nickybr38]

Nope.

1. Attending will signal to them that you are not confident in your faith AND that you are open to conversion. They WILL try to convert you. No matter how subtly.
2. Would you attend a Mosque? A Synagogue? If no, why on earth would you attend a service of a church that is not your own? They may share belief in the same God and Savior but that is where the similarity ends.
3. Confusion. Your attendance could cause scandal and confusion to those who see you there.

Just politely decline but thank them for the offer.

 

[CopticChristian]

Hello all! My first time posting in this particular forum.

I am a devout Catholic who has spent the last few years learning all about the Church and the history of Christianity from wonderful authors like Hahn, Keating, etc. I have had several “battles” with fundamentalist friends & acquaintances over this time as well spurred by their anti-Catholicism and lack of knowledge.

My girlfriend and I have recently made some new fundamentalist friends (they attend the huge local fundie church with which I have much experience) and they just invited us to a Christmas event they’re putting on followed by a service followed by dinner.

I am somewhat at a loss here. I don’t want to attend this service, and I’m not sure if it’s forbidden by the Church or not (I should know that), but I don’t want to offend them. I can’t very well say, “sure, we’ll come to the event and dinner, but we’re going to skip your worship service & preaching that will quite possibly be full of heretical teaching I don’t care to listen to”.

What would you do? What does the Church teach about this.

I have a limited time to make up my mind. Thanks in advance!

God bless,
Paul

Paul,

My experience with every Fundamentalist service is that it is

“Conversion Time”