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

[Tommy999]

Welcome!

I just want to address this point at the moment:

You do realize that this is because Protestant denominations have decided that it’s ok to edit the Word of God to make it more palatable, right?

Divorce and re-marriage is adultery according to Christ.

I wish He hadn’t said that.

But those are His Words, not ours.

Thus, the CC conforms to His Words, no matter how unpalatable that may be.

We have indeed lost many folks to this, and would that the CC could change the Word of God into something more friendly!

But, sadly (or, gratefully), the CC does not usurp the Word of God into saying something that is more attractive.

Yes, Protestant worshippers certainly put Catholics to shame with their warmth and hospitality.

Most Catholics just look mad when they are in church. :sad_yes:

Hi PRmerger,
Thanks for the welcome. I agree on the remarriage part, by the way. It shouldn’t be so eay to divorce, in my opinion. That’s why I try to work doubly hard on my marriage. After 33 years, I think she decided to keep me .

You mentioned about most Catholics looking mad when they are in church. Could that in part be due to the Mass obligation instead of attending because one wants to be there?
By the way, most of the folks at the parish where I visited seemed happy (or at least tolerant) to be there.

 

[Irishgal49]

I noticed a discussion about charging for sacraments. I was a United Methodist Clergy and it was my policy to never charge for funerals, marriage, or baptism if you are a registered member or the child of one. I refused donations for those who were members. Given it was two small parishes it was pretty easy to know who were members and who were not. The only charge at a wedding was for the organist. The pastor’s fee, the church use fee, and the cleaning fee were waived.

Just wanted to say that there are some churches that don’t charge members. That also included if you wanted a wedding on location. I never charged members. I actually cut my foot–a broken sprinkler in a diner parking lot cut through my leather shoe and cut into my foot. I had to bandage it, limp all the way back to the rear of a historical village with my foot throbbing and perform a wedding. It ran through my mind I might charge them double.

 

[PRmerger]

I noticed a discussion about charging for sacraments. I was a United Methodist Clergy and it was my policy to never charge for funerals, marriage, or baptism if you are a registered member or the child of one. I refused donations for those who were members. Given it was two small parishes it was pretty easy to know who were members and who were not. The only charge at a wedding was for the organist. The pastor’s fee, the church use fee, and the cleaning fee were waived.

Just wanted to say that there are some churches that don’t charge members. That also included if you wanted a wedding on location. I never charged members. I actually cut my foot–a broken sprinkler in a diner parking lot cut through my leather shoe and cut into my foot. I had to bandage it, limp all the way back to the rear of a historical village with my foot throbbing and perform a wedding. It ran through my mind I might charge them double.

Interesting.

Did you have to tithe in order to be considered a member?

 

[PRmerger]

Hi PRmerger,
Thanks for the welcome. I agree on the remarriage part, by the way. It shouldn’t be so eay to divorce, in my opinion. That’s why I try to work doubly hard on my marriage. After 33 years, I think she decided to keep me .

But you do agree that allowing divorce and re-marriage is un-Scriptural, right?

Even if we accept the adultery loophole, the rest of the second marriages that are permitted would be contradictory to the moral law, yes?

You mentioned about most Catholics looking mad when they are in church. Could that in part be due to the Mass obligation instead of attending because one wants to be there?

Perhaps.

But their problem is with God, then, yes? Isn’t it He who demands that we go to Mass (or, keep holy His day)?

At any rate, even if they do look mad because they don’t want the obligation, that’s not a reason for the Church to change its teaching.

Anymore than a teenager looking mad at having to visit grandma would be a reason to say, “Then, sweetheart, you don’t have to go visit grandma!”

 

[lutheran_farmer]

The greatest tragedy is that the Protestant denominations that go out of their way to entertain the whims of their culture, whether it’s alternative marriages, abortion, or ensuring their sermons avoid anything negative, are targeting an audience that will only give God time if He goes along with their choices. They want the loving God, but not a God that expects them to do anything in return. While this may attract people in the short term, it won’t keep people coming in the long term. One only has to look at the denominations that are failing to see this trend. The people that will only accept God on their own terms will never be satisfied.

 

[Tommy999]

But you do agree that allowing divorce and re-marriage is un-Scriptural, right?

Even if we accept the adultery loophole, the rest of the second marriages that are permitted would be contradictory to the moral law, yes?

Perhaps.

But their problem is with God, then, yes? Isn’t it He who demands that we go to Mass (or, keep holy His day)?

At any rate, even if they do look mad because they don’t want the obligation, that’s not a reason for the Church to change its teaching.

Anymore than a teenager looking mad at having to visit grandma would be a reason to say, “Then, sweetheart, you don’t have to go visit grandma!”

I agree with what you said. I don’t think divorce and remarriage is scriptural, except for perhaps in the case of infidelity, but even then I would hope that the offender would stop the behavior, ask for forgiveness, and try to be reconciled to the spouse, provided that he or she would allow it. And yes, our kids went to go vist grandma with us but they never protested. They still would’ve gone, though, even if they had protested.

 

[Tommy999]

The greatest tragedy is that the Protestant denominations that go out of their way to entertain the whims of their culture, whether it’s alternative marriages, abortion, or ensuring their sermons avoid anything negative, are targeting an audience that will only give God time if He goes along with their choices. They want the loving God, but not a God that expects them to do anything in return. While this may attract people in the short term, it won’t keep people coming in the long term. One only has to look at the denominations that are failing to see this trend. The people that will only accept God on their own terms will never be satisfied.

Hi lutheran farmer,
As you probably already know, not all protestant denominations are like how you describe, although some are. My pastor’s sermons are very challenging and anything but comfortable, and he helps us to grow in Christ in such a way that we are spiritually equipped to better serve God and our fellow man once we leave the church service.

We are fed with meat and not milk, and our ears are not tickled with what we “want” to hear. He interjects a little humor in there, too, so that it breaks the tension. Some of the more liberal denominations are like you describe, however.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Perhaps.

But their problem is with God, then, yes? Isn’t it He who demands that we go to Mass (or, keep holy His day)?

At any rate, even if they do look mad because they don’t want the obligation, that’s not a reason for the Church to change its teaching.

Anymore than a teenager looking mad at having to visit grandma would be a reason to say, “Then, sweetheart, you don’t have to go visit grandma!”

He demanded that we go to Mass? Keep holy I can read. How many weekly Mass attendees walk out of Mass and then that’s the end of the holy part of their day? Is it holy if they might then go shopping at the mall on Sunday? Get a haircut on Sunday? Mow the lawn? Wash the car? Patronize a restaurant by buying a $7 glass of wine? : Granted Christians of other stripes do those things as well. Just something my mind was pondering after reading your post.

 

[Sy_Noe]

As a lifelong protestant who has been spending time learning more about Catholicism, I will take a stab at why some Catholics may be attracted to certain Protestant denominations.

Note: Keep in mind, there are many reasons why Protestants can be attracted to Catholicism, too, but that is not the subject of this thread. That would be a long list, as well, and I would have a lot to add to that list.

When I refer to “protestant”, I am speaking of my denomination, which is AOG. I do not speak for all denominations, because the Anglicans and Lutherans are more similar to Catholics in a lot of ways than my particular denomination.

Reasons may include but are not limited to:

• Less complicated belief system (or at least to me, but I wasn’t born and raised Catholic).

Analogy: Catholicism can appear to some to be like the yoke of the Pharisees with all the rules and regulations, with many religious obligations and scorekeeping of sins (is it mortal or venial?,etc).

By contrast, some Protestant denominations appear to resemble a more simple faith and a lighter burden like those obligations recommended in Acts 15 by Peter and the Jerusalem Council for new Gentile Christians compared to Judaism at the time of Peter.

• Pastors and Christian counselors are available for consultation as needed at the believer’s discretion, but there is no requirement for Reconciliation through clergy and no requirement for intervention between the believer and God except through Christ.
• Scupulosity is almost unheard of. I wasn’t even familiar with the term until I came to CAF and heard of so many Catholics who suffer from it. From the outside looking in, all the rules and obligations combined with a belief in Purgatory plus the need to be free of mortal sin before you take the Eucharist or before dying might contribute to scupulosity with some Catholics, I would imagine.
• Music style is generally more contemporary in protestant denominations and appeals to younger audiences, in general.
• Remarriage after divorce, although not ideal, is not forbidden in many protestant denominations.

– Most churches have greeters and help make visitors feel welcome, although I was also greeted warmly when I visited a Catholic parish for my first Mass that I experienced.

That seems a good list of reasons. There are so many as articulated on this thread. And as you said it’s a 2 way street with some Protestants attracted in the other direction.

 

[PRmerger]

He demanded that we go to Mass?

Yep.

Keep holy I can read. How many weekly Mass attendees walk out of Mass and then that’s the end of the holy part of their day?

Probably a lot.

So is your point, then, that the Church should change the Word of God to make it more palatable (see the divorce discussion) since people don’t like to be obligated to do this?
And because people don’t really keep it holy anyway? * “Let’s just change what God said because if we did that, then people would start keeping the Lord’s Day holy!–oh wait, that wouldn’t happen. We can see that Protestant churches which don’t make it an obligation have more folks lazing around on Sunday, watching football games, mowing the lawns and buying wine at restaurants, not keeping it holy.”*

Is it holy if they might then go shopping at the mall on Sunday? Get a haircut on Sunday? Mow the lawn? Wash the car? Patronize a restaurant by buying a $7 glass of wine? : Granted Christians of other stripes do those things as well. Just something my mind was pondering after reading your post.

Once you meet your Sunday obligation and give your hour to God, the rest of the day must be also kept holy. All activities ordered towards God.

That’s the Catholic way.

That’s what Christ said. Not our words. But His.

 

[lutheran_farmer]

Hi lutheran farmer,
As you probably already know, not all protestant denominations are like how you describe, although some are. My pastor’s sermons are very challenging and anything but comfortable, and he helps us to grow in Christ in such a way that we are spiritually equipped to better serve God and our fellow man once we leave the church service.

We are fed with meat and not milk, and our ears are not tickled with what we “want” to hear. He interjects a little humor in there, too, so that it breaks the tension. Some of the more liberal denominations are like you describe, however.

I was very careful to refer only to those Protestant denominations that blow whichever way the wind is blowing. If your church doesn’t do that, then I wasn’t refering to your church. However, I have seen many churches in my area that are locally trying to follow God more closely while their governing body is moving along with the political waves. It creates a lot of tension between the local church and it’s authorities. It also makes it very difficult to find a new pastor when one moves or retires. I would not be surprised if some of these pastors switched denominations, or even came home to Catholic Church, when it gets to be too much.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Yes, I have met folks here who meet that criteria.

Anyone who claims to be one.

So you have met folks who know Catholic teaching yet who have not entered. So it is possible to understand and still be Protestant? I’m sure they too have their reasons. Yet you say if Catholics understood they would remain and not convert to Protestantism. So do you just give those you’ve met who know but have not entered a greater pass because lets say they might be for example Lutheran MO synod or conservative Anglicans unhappy with TEC, a bit closer to your views than lets say other Protestants?

 

[PRmerger]

So you have met folks who know Catholic teaching yet who have not entered. So it is possible to understand and still be Protestant?

Sure.

I have met some folks here who put a whole lot o’ Catholics to shame with their correct understanding of Catholicism.

Did you note that in the discussion where you dismissed the fact that Catholics who leave the faith don’t know their faith one ex-Catholic here didn’t even know that divorce is permitted in the CC?

And I note that he (as well as you) called lay ministers of the Eucharist “Eucharistic Ministers”.

That’s clearly an uninformed understanding of what the priest does, the nature of the Mass, and, most importantly, a greatly impoverished understanding of the Eucharist.

I’m sure they too have their reasons. Yet you say if Catholics understood they would remain and not convert to Protestantism. So do you just give those you’ve met who know but have not entered a greater pass because lets say they might be for example Lutheran MO synod or conservative Anglicans unhappy with TEC, a bit closer to your views than lets say other Protestants?

I don’t understand your point. Could you re-phrase?

If there’s a well catechized Catholic who’s left I have yet to meet him.

I challenge you, Sy.

Can you answer a few basic questions without recourse to Fr. Google?

 

[Irishgal49]

Interesting.

Did you have to tithe in order to be considered a member?

No. There was a lot of discussion about this but the only requirement was that you attended at least once a year or made a financial contribution. Even if it was a dollar. There had been a lot of discussion about changing that but that was the Discipline’s definition at that time.

 

[PRmerger]

No. There was a lot of discussion about this but the only requirement was that you attended at least once a year or made a financial contribution. Even if it was a dollar. There had been a lot of discussion about changing that but that was the Discipline’s definition at that time.

Interesting.

How did you confirm attendance?

 

[Sy_Noe]

So is your point, then, that the Church should change the Word of God to make it more palatable (see the divorce discussion) since people don’t like to be obligated to do thi

No that’s not my point because I’m still trying to see where the Word of God says it’s a mortal sin to miss Catholic Mass even if just 1 wk.

 

[PRmerger]

No that’s not my point because I’m still trying to see where the Word of God says it’s a mortal sin to miss Catholic Mass even if just 1 wk.

Best answer here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=10748682&postcount=7

And here’s just something to think about, Sy: it’s clear that you don’t like the fact that it’s an obligation that you attend Mass as a Catholic.

Where does that logically conclude to: therefore God didn’t really say that?

If there is a God, isn’t He going to make demands on you that you don’t find palatable and acceptable?

What demands have you conceded to, despite your own preference?

Incidentally, I think your question above about not knowing where the Word of God says it’s a mortal sin to miss Catholic Mass even if just 1 week demonstrates your poor catechesis.

Again, you have left a Church in which you didn’t understand its teachings.

Would that you understood what you left!

And would that you didn’t shop for a church which conforms to your own particular tastes and sensibilities, creating a god that you like and prefer.

 

[PRmerger]

No that’s not my point because I’m still trying to see where the Word of God says it’s a mortal sin to miss Catholic Mass even if just 1 wk.

Also, please read here from your Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#2168

See all the Scriptural footnotes, which are of great import.

BTW: did you know that the CCC (short for Catechism of the Catholic Church) is overflowing with Scriptural references?

 

[Sy_Noe]

Interesting.

How did you confirm attendance?

Yes it’s interesting to learn about other faith practices without presuming we know what they do. One thing on my bucket list has always been to attend a non Roman Catholic service. Finally for the first time in my life today (and I’m no spring chicken) I built up the nerve. Not because I am told God’s word is interpreted to mean I would be committing mortal sn if I didn’t. But because I’m drawn to how they serve the Lord and wanted to freely worship with them as believers in 1 God and in Christ and to learn more about them. But unfortunately the priest had to tend to a family emergency and they weren’t sure a visiting priest would be there so I didn’t stay.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Also, please read here from your Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a3.htm#2168

See all the Scriptural footnotes, which are of great import.

BTW: did you know that the CCC (short for Catechism of the Catholic Church) is overflowing with Scriptural references?

That’s a lot for me to read at the moment but so far I do see where the precept of the CC bounds the obligation based on canon.