What are some of the main reasons that people are attracted to the Protestant faith?

[Sy_Noe]

A Catholic parish asking for a donation of $50, $150, or $500 for supporting the Church which is doing this service for you is too much - even if they are willing to waive it for those who can’t afford to give anything… on the other hand, the protestant group which requires 10% of the gross income from everyone… no prob. The day to day stuff is free… except for Bible Study books, coffee station, kids camp, conferences/retreats and you know, all the extras… so in reality, you’ve just handed over 15-30%

There are Protestant churches that do not require tithe.

 

[SyroMalankara]

There are Protestant churches that do not require tithe.

Sure, there are protestant churches that don’t require attendance; they come in all stripes.

 

[Babylonianlove]

My husband and I were raised without religion and we knew nothing but Protestant churches once we did become introduced to Christianity. Now, that we are Catholic, I can describe the difference.

I think the main reason people are attracted to many Protestant churches is that they are less demanding. They require less time. You don’t have to be part of a community or a parish. You can go on Sundays, or not, if you don’t feel like it, because it isn’t a sin to miss Protestant services. It’s an easier road. If you’re family is there, you’ll go to be with them. If you go alone, or just with your immediate family, you’ll go until something offends you (most churches are very careful not to offend anyone in any way). If you don’t like what you hear, or they push a little too much, you’ll shop around for another church. Many people fall into this trap.

My husband and I did this. Some of the friends we made along the way (and still keep) stayed at their various churches because their extended family attended. It did feel like home for them. But, I was surprised at the amount of movement between the various churches along similar denominations. We would run into people we saw at a different church because we were all just searching. We’d get offended and move on or feel uncomfortable and try another church. We’d question what was missing. We suffered burnout from too many changes (okay it was only four churches in seven years and two different versions of Lutheranism, so we weren’t major church shoppers, but we still got burned out). In the end, we attended services about once a month, or less. We were slowly drifting away from God.

Now, let me say that some beautiful, spirit-filled things happened in these churches. They have enough of the Truth to sustain one’s faith very nicely. But we could take it or leave it. it was easy to drift when there was nothing solid to hold onto. I didn’t know there was anything more to believing in God than choosing whether or not to be with Him based on how convenient it was or whether you felt like going to church that Sunday or not.

Please allow me to use my own favorite description of going from Protestantism to Catholicism. Imagine a beautiful, ancient painting by a master. After the painting is already quite old, someone else tries to make a copy, but it’s missing some of the details. Someone else makes a copy from the copy and misses even more details. And so on, down through many years until the masterpiece is reduced to fragments. Each fragment has enough of the Truth to sustain, but those who admire the counterfeits are so far removed from the original that they have no idea what they are missing.

In my case, what I depended on, as a Protestant, were lovely little paintings containing fragments of the Truth. At a critical point in my studying during RCIA, I realized that these fragments were one magnificent painting. My first view of the masterpiece was truly breathtaking.

Masterpiece, I like.

 

[Babylonianlove]

A Catholic parish asking for a donation of $50, $150, or $500 for supporting the Church which is doing this service for you is too much - even if they are willing to waive it for those wcho can’t afford to give anything… on the other hand, the protestant group which requires 10% of the gross income from everyone… no prob. The day to day stuff is free… except for Bible Study books, coffee station, kids camp, conferences/retreats and you know, all the extras… so in reality, you’ve just handed over 15-30%

Exactly, people ignore the math. I got pissed at pushing 10%. I could give my life to Catholic church bc none ever ask for a cent. I dont like the talk they gave me. I know what to do with my money.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

If this has been asked before, feel free to direct me to a previous thread. I’ve been poking around CAF for a few months now, but I’m still newer and still exploring all the different forums and topics and have likely missed recent discussions. I was raised non-denominational Christian, but kind of fell away from church during my 20s. I didn’t stop believing in God, but I felt something was lacking in my church experiences and no longer felt like I belonged there. I’ve lately been considering the Catholic faith and have a feeling I eventually will be, but I’m in the questioning phase right now.

My question is this: Kind of specifically for those ex-Catholic CAF posters (or anyone else familiar with people’s reasons for leaving the Catholic faith) - What are some of the main reasons that people leave the Catholic faith for Protestant faith?

Having come from a Protestant upbringing, I know why I became disenchanted with Protestantism, but Protestantism obviously must have draw for some as many people leave other faiths for it. I’m curious at to what that draw typically is.

Am I just “bored” by Protestantism because it’s what I grew up in, and that’s why I’m turning to Catholicism? If I had instead grown up Catholic, would I have eventually gotten bored of Catholicism and switched to Protestantism, just because it was different? Or could my convictions toward Catholicism be genuine?

Something that has not been mentioned specifically in this thread is that just like there are bad Protestant Churches, there are bad Catholic Churches.

Each person’s experience will be a little different. But if I was to paint with a broad brush, I’d say that the main reason is: Bad Catechism. And this also for different reasons as well. Priest/Bishop that is not leading the way they should. Lay people that don’t want to invest their lives in the Church and Community and just want to comply with a “list of things to do”. Now don’t jump on me… Because in the same way that some Protestants say “accept Jesus into your heart” and you are saved. A lot of Catholics have a kind of checklist: baptism, confirmation, communion, reconciliation/confession, Mass on Sundays and Holy Days - and that’s it.

Other people have strong political/social opinions and will not accept the authority of the Church - so they will leave to a Church that fits their ideals better.

Other people just don’t click with the Catholic faith and find themselves full of Faith at a different Church.

Not all the reasons have to be selfish…

 

[BernadetteM]

If that’s the reason you left the Church…

Incidentally, I will also ask you the same question I asked HH, (although you didn’t use the rather inflammatory phrasing of “selling the sacraments” like HH did): what church will you go to that isn’t “selling the sacrament” of marriage?

Are there any that don’t charge you to use their church?

I dunno.

Actually I was married in an Episcopal church and my parents paid the minister, it was expected, although I suppose one might want to call it a donation. You are using the church building and besides the minister, they have a woman who instructs you when to walk down the aisle etc.

The same goes for Lutherans, as my daughter married in a Lutheran church and was expected to pay the minister, also they had woman instruct her, as a side note, the women was terrible and my daughter and her father had to decide to go ahead and walk down because the woman, although at the rehearsal, ignored the organist’s hymn and would walk back and forth in the back of the church instead of doing what she was paid for. This all was done while the wedding was videoed tape and ruined much of the wedding. It appears that all ministers are paid for conducting weddings.

Another daughter married in a fundamental church and had to pay the minister, who ab-libbed much of the ceremony and was also demanding to be paid. I don’t think he ever went to seminary, just decided to become a minister and started a church.

In my opinion most Catholics leave the Church because of personal reasons that really have nothing to do with the teachings, many don’t really know the teachings and this is true with many protestants.

If one leaves for reasons that are personal, divorce, anger at a member or priest etc., they seem to have to justify it by demeaning Christ’s Church and rationalizing their reason for leaving.

I am a convert and much of what I have read on this thread doesn’t seem to apply to most of the Catholics or protestants I know.

If one chooses to leave the Church, do as most Catholics I have met do who have converted to the Church do, say only what was good about their former denomination or just say nothing. I find that it seems only protestants use venom against the Catholic Church when they leave. If they are really are at peace and feel they now know Christ, then they need to act like a Christian.

In closing I could say some very unkind remarks about certain pastors and people in certain denominations, but this is not what we as Christians should do, nor is it allowed on CAF. All sects and the Church have sinners and we are not to judge by individual actions.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[CarlanF]

I would agree that the reasons for moving to Protestant faith tend to be personal rather than based on the church teaching itself. Perhaps the person had a bad experience with some fellow Catholics. Whatever the reason, I would respect such moving. Even the other way round, I would respect - from Protestant to Catholic.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

Any church bilking folks out of money for sacraments is not the church that Christ established. And my views will never, ever concede that this practice is of God of holy. No matter what the denomination says. Most folks I talked to saw no problem with it and gladly forked over 150 dollars for a sacrament for their kids. I even talked to four different priests and a bishop who saw no problem with selling the sacrament of baptism.

Why don’t go to the next level? Write to a Cardinal or to Rome. I am incredibly annoying at that. If I see something that is not right, I’ll be on it like a mosquito on an open wound.

Also, how much wickedness must I accept to tow the line? On paper it looks great, reality is much different. That’s why I am constantly being asked to go with what’s on paper, not what the denomination actually does.

Also, it’s not the reason I left, only one aspect of a much bigger picture.

So it’s not worth fighting for? Rather, it’s better to just leave and find something else - without a fight?

What are you going to do when the [sinning leaders] of your Church start messing up? - Find another denomination where they are not [sinning] at the moment?

That makes for an incredibly weak argument. All Church leaders are sinners. But there is one Church. In the same manner - a bad President doesn’t make the U.S. stop being one nation. A bad Governor doesn’t make the U.S. stop being one nation. Does it hurt the nation? Absolutely. What makes you think it’s any different with the Church? Or are you going to go and make your own nation because you don’t like the U.S…

Also, you must not accept any wickedness at all! You are to do something about it, not abandon ship…

O Captain! My Captain!

 

[Per_Crucem]

So it’s not worth fighting for? Rather, it’s better to just leave and find something else - without a fight?

Amen to this. It’s incredibly frustrating to me when people leave the churches they were raised in, either to or from Catholic or Protestant, or what have you (barring rank apostasy). It’s something that should not happen, really.

 

[PJM]

=rjg99a;12086587]If this has been asked before, feel free to direct me to a previous thread. I’ve been poking around CAF for a few months now, but I’m still newer and still exploring all the different forums and topics and have likely missed recent discussions. I was raised non-denominational Christian, but kind of fell away from church during my 20s. I didn’t stop believing in God, but I felt something was lacking in my church experiences and no longer felt like I belonged there. I’ve lately been considering the Catholic faith and have a feeling I eventually will be, but I’m in the questioning phase right now.

My question is this: Kind of specifically for those ex-Catholic CAF posters (or anyone else familiar with people’s reasons for leaving the Catholic faith) - What are some of the main reasons that people leave the Catholic faith for Protestant faith?

Having come from a Protestant upbringing, I know why I became disenchanted with Protestantism, but Protestantism obviously must have draw for some as many people leave other faiths for it. I’m curious at to what that draw typically is.

Am I just “bored” by Protestantism because it’s what I grew up in, and that’s why I’m turning to Catholicism? If I had instead grown up Catholic, would I have eventually gotten bored of Catholicism and switched to Protestantism, just because it was different? Or could my convictions toward Catholicism be genuine?

As an Informed and fully practicing Roman Catholic and a Trained Catechist, I feel that it is JUST EASIER to practice because of 1. It’s wrong positions and teaching on how Salvation and the forgiveness of sins can and DOES occur. [John 20: 19-23] And 2. Is Easier to practice because of their [it seems] unlimited positions where everyone can belief what ever they feel is right. And if the church they are in does not meet their ideas of Right, they simply search for one that does.

Nevertheless, there is a VALUE to their efforts for the uninformed and sincere at heart.
believers. God alone can make a judgment on their beliefs.

God Bless,
Patrick

 

[Sy_Noe]

Why don’t go to the next level? Write to a Cardinal or to Rome. I am incredibly annoying at that. If I see something that is not right, I’ll be on it like a mosquito on an open wound.

I actually just wrote to my local Catholic diocese earlier today before I read your post. I don’t expect to hear back now before next wk. But unless I’ve misread, I seem to gather from some on CAF that priests and parishes can not require a set minimum amount to pay before the Sacrament of Baptism will be performed and can not require parents to use offertory envelopes. But I’ve also seen on CAF where envelopes can be required to prove parents practice the faith. So since the priest and parish around the corner from me requires a MINIMUM $50 “donation” for Baptism and the use of envelopes for 6 mos and since I’m not clear from what I’ve read on CAF if this is allowed or not, I wrote the diocese.

Although once I wrote to complain that a priest at another parish said during his homily that those of us in attendance had to vote for a certain political candidate and nothing came of that. There are other things I could have written about as well but never bothered to.

 

[phil19034]

Any church bilking folks out of money for sacraments is not the church that Christ established. And my views will never, ever concede that this practice is of God of holy. No matter what the denomination says. Most folks I talked to saw no problem with it and gladly forked over 150 dollars for a sacrament for their kids. I even talked to four different priests and a bishop who saw no problem with selling the sacrament of baptism.

Also, how much wickedness must I accept to tow the line? On paper it looks great, reality is much different. That’s why I am constantly being asked to go with what’s on paper, not what the denomination actually does.

Also, it’s not the reason I left, only one aspect of a much bigger picture.

You are confusing a Parish for the Church. There can be bad parishes. Doesn’t mean the whole Church is bad.

 

[PRmerger]

I don’t drink wine or other alcohol.

This response prompts the question, Sy: if you were in 1st century Palestine and heard Jesus preaching the parable of the Prodigal Son, what would you say if a person who was indeed a “prodigal son” told you, “Well, Jesus’ message doesn’t apply to me because I have never longed to eat from the slop of pigs.”

What would you say to this person?

 

[Babylonianlove]

Time for Protestants to stop hating their mother church and come home. Many others are enjoying watching you hating the Mother.

 

[PRmerger]

What are you going to do when the [sinning leaders] of your Church start messing up? - Find another denomination where they are not [sinning] at the moment?

Yep. That’s exactly what I said.

And, given that we’re all fallible, all human, all going to sin…you can guarantee, HH, you can bet on it, you can lay your money down…your church leaders and church members and fellow parishioners…

are going to…

mess up.

And they’re going to **** you off at some point.

Be assured of that.

That’s not a good reason, at all, to leave the Catholic Church.

Rather, it’s probably a reason to stay in the CC because you know that there, at least, they can receive forgiveness for their sins through confession.

 

[phil19034]

I actually just wrote to my local Catholic diocese earlier today before I read your post. I don’t expect to hear back now before next wk. But unless I’ve misread, I seem to gather from some on CAF that priests and parishes can not require a set minimum amount to pay before the Sacrament of Baptism will be performed and can not require parents to use offertory envelopes. But I’ve also seen on CAF where envelopes can be required to prove parents practice the faith. So since the priest and parish around the corner from me requires a MINIMUM $50 “donation” for Baptism and the use of envelopes for 6 mos and since I’m not clear from what I’ve read on CAF if this is allowed or not, I wrote the diocese.

Although once I wrote to complain that a priest at another parish said during his homily that those of us in attendance had to vote for a certain political candidate and nothing came of that. There are other things I could have written about as well but never bothered to.

Sy Noe,

If everyone in a parish donated 10% of the salary (before taxes) to the Church like my sister’s former Baptist Church required; then a lot of things could be free.

Some times the perceived unwillingness to part from recommended donations or “fees” is because many people do not take the time to meet one-on-one with their Pastor or priest.

For people who sit down everyone now and then and discuss their lives with their pastor, explaining their personal situations, etc; they get the help they need.

When organizations are faced with bills they must pay (whether it be a Parish or a Social Club) they are sometimes forced to be publicly tough and force payment. Why? Because there are many people who prioritize leisure over financial responsibilities to the organizations they belong to.

For example, when I was in college, I was an officer in my fraternity. We had issues with some brothers who didn’t pay their dues. They would claim they couldn’t afford it. But, every Thursday, Friday & Saturday night they were out spending $20 - $30 on beer. $60 to $90 a week. Our dues were only $300 a semester. We were willing to have a payment plan, etc. But making a small sacrifice wasn’t worth it to them. They were not willing to sacrifice their play money for the good of the group. They wanted to get out of the fraternity all they could for free, but not contribute anything back.

They could afford it if they made a sacrifice, but they chose not to.

True worship of God should require a sacrifice. If being a Christian is easy, then you are not devoting enough to God. Sometimes that devotion is via money and sometimes via time. In order to keep our parishes running (whether Catholic or Protestant) we need to give money and/or time. But if a Church is in the red and having trouble paying the bills, then they need to find ways to receive money from the faithful.

Also, the Catholic Church is divided into Parishes. Each person lives in a geographic parish. There are many who will charge nothing or very little for Baptism, Weddings, etc for people who live in the geographic boundaries of the Parish. But for those who live outside, they will charge. This often happens (especially for Weddings) where the Church is a “magnet” Church due to it’s beauty, etc. Catholics have the ability to get married at their home Parish, but want the Cathedral or old, beautiful Church. So they are required to pay so the local parishioners are not stuck with the bill.

Finally, everyone thinks the Catholic Church is rich, but it’s not. It’s poor. There are parishes which are well off, but there are many more which are not. Also the dioceses are all pretty poor too, even before the sex abuse scandal. The Church might have some investments and valuable property, but that needs to last until the end of the world. Yes, we could sell all our buildings, property, etc and start having Mass in personal houses again; but it’s much better to have a place where I can walk into at anytime during the day and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

God Bless.

 

[Babylonianlove]

A new church built to suit the growth of the community near my place. Many families donated their lives to build it. Still need lots of fundraising and donation, but they dont mind. I love seeing them pouring out their love for the faith.
3 families donated 6500/ea last week.
They personally give the priests money to help them too.
Why counting, fighting on 50 or 200 bucks for the church?
They build the most safe and beautiful community anywhere they go.

 

[PRmerger]

Actually I was married in an Episcopal church and my parents paid the minister, it was expected,

Yep. That’s exactly what happens in Episcopal churches.

The same goes for Lutherans, as my daughter married in a Lutheran church and was expected to pay the minister,

Yep. That’s exactly what happens in Lutheran churches.

And this expectation to pay, apparently, is a cause of consternation for some and will be an impetus for departure from Lutheran churches now as well.

It appears that all ministers are paid for conducting weddings.

I can’t imagine demanding it any other way, except to pay them. And I absolutely and lovingly give them the right to ask for payment.

I would never leave in a huff if someone asked for his just wages.

Another daughter married in a fundamental church and had to pay the minister, who ab-libbed much of the ceremony and was also demanding to be paid.

Yep. Pretty much.

And who would deny him his just wages? He performed a service, did he not?

And if he asks for his wages, rather than waiting for payment, I would lovingly and gratefully say, “Of course I will pay you!”

In my opinion most Catholics leave the Church because of personal reasons that really have nothing to do with the teachings, many don’t really know the teachings and this is true with many protestants.

Yep.

One person here who left the CC thought that Catholics can’t get divorced.

And yet here is what his Church actually teaches:
If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense.–CCC 2383

He did not know that it’s the divorce and re-marriage that that is a mortal sin…because it’s adultery.

Not our words. But Christ’s.

If one leaves for reasons that are personal, divorce, anger at a member or priest etc., they seem to have to justify it by demeaning Christ’s Church and rationalizing their reason for leaving.

I find that it seems only protestants use venom against the Catholic Church when they leave. If they are really are at peace and feel they now know Christ, then they need to act like a Christian.

:sad_yes:

 

[Sy_Noe]

This response prompts the question, Sy: if you were in 1st century Palestine and heard Jesus preaching the parable of the Prodigal Son, what would you say if a person who was indeed a “prodigal son” told you, “Well, Jesus’ message doesn’t apply to me because I have never longed to eat from the slop of pigs.”

What would you say to this person?

I haven’t a clue what that has to do with me personally not liking the taste of alcohol or why Catholics become Protestants. That I don’t drink alcohol merely came up earlier because you tried comparing restaurant prices for a glass of wine to Christ’s church.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Sy Noe,

If everyone in a parish donated 10% of the salary (before taxes) to the Church like my sister’s former Baptist Church required; then a lot of things could be free.

Some times the perceived unwillingness to part from recommended donations or “fees” is because many people do not take the time to meet one-on-one with their Pastor or priest.

For people who sit down everyone now and then and discuss their lives with their pastor, explaining their personal situations, etc; they get the help they need.

When organizations are faced with bills they must pay (whether it be a Parish or a Social Club) they are sometimes forced to be publicly tough and force payment. Why? Because there are many people who prioritize leisure over financial responsibilities to the organizations they belong to.

For example, when I was in college, I was an officer in my fraternity. We had issues with some brothers who didn’t pay their dues. They would claim they couldn’t afford it. But, every Thursday, Friday & Saturday night they were out spending $20 - $30 on beer. $60 to $90 a week. Our dues were only $300 a semester. We were willing to have a payment plan, etc. But making a small sacrifice wasn’t worth it to them. They were not willing to sacrifice their play money for the good of the group. They wanted to get out of the fraternity all they could for free, but not contribute anything back.

They could afford it if they made a sacrifice, but they chose not to.

True worship of God should require a sacrifice. If being a Christian is easy, then you are not devoting enough to God. Sometimes that devotion is via money and sometimes via time. In order to keep our parishes running (whether Catholic or Protestant) we need to give money and/or time. But if a Church is in the red and having trouble paying the bills, then they need to find ways to receive money from the faithful.

Also, the Catholic Church is divided into Parishes. Each person lives in a geographic parish. There are many who will charge nothing or very little for Baptism, Weddings, etc for people who live in the geographic boundaries of the Parish. But for those who live outside, they will charge. This often happens (especially for Weddings) where the Church is a “magnet” Church due to it’s beauty, etc. Catholics have the ability to get married at their home Parish, but want the Cathedral or old, beautiful Church. So they are required to pay so the local parishioners are not stuck with the bill.

Finally, everyone thinks the Catholic Church is rich, but it’s not. It’s poor. There are parishes which are well off, but there are many more which are not. Also the dioceses are all pretty poor too, even before the sex abuse scandal. The Church might have some investments and valuable property, but that needs to last until the end of the world. Yes, we could sell all our buildings, property, etc and start having Mass in personal houses again; but it’s much better to have a place where I can walk into at anytime during the day and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

God Bless.

I do understand operating a church takes money. Without going into details the particular parish whose policies I’m questioning the diocese about though doesn’t appear to be hurting. But thank you so much for your blessing. I truly appreciate it and the same to you, Phil.