What are some of the main reasons that people are attracted to the Protestant faith?
- Status
C
cargau
Guest
More often than not, Catholics become Protestants for life issues while Protestants become Catholics for theological reasons…
E
Eric_Hilbert
Guest
Sorry guys.
I really can’t see any other direction for this topic but downhill.
I really can’t see any other direction for this topic but downhill.
E
Eric_Hilbert
Guest
Re-opened by request and re-titled.
M
McCartney
Guest
C
Cat
Guest
I agree with you, but parents’ love for their child(ren) can be incredibly strong, and many parents will do almost anything, spend any amount of money, and give up everything, in order to keep their family together. Yes, some of their actions are misguided (e.g., when a parent enables a child to continue a drug addiction). But like I said, parental love is a very strong force that can result in a person even rejecting God.
I
Irishgal49
Guest
I agree with this 100%. Don’t forget a lot of people who leave the Catholic faith don’t go to any church.
C
Cat
Guest
I’m glad this thread was re-opened.
I would like to recommend a fascinating, useful, and heart-breaking book called Exit Interviews by William D. Hendricks. amazon.com/Exit-Interviews-Revealing-Stories-Leaving/dp/0802423183
The author’s proposal is that all churches and Christians need to “watch the back door” of the Church and try to “catch” those who are running out that back door and away from the Church.
The author interviewed people who have left churches (all denominations, including the Catholic Church) and asked them why. The interviews are gut-wrenching and depressing and very very sad. When I read the book, I found that I could only manage to read one interview a day because they were so very sad. I actually cried over some of the interviews.
Many of the reasons discussed in this thread are brought up in Exit Interviews, especially the reason of “being hurt by someone in their church.”
There was one sad interview with a musician who was mistreated horribly in his church. It haunts me to this day. Musicians seem to be especially vulnerable to mistreatment by church people. I cringe whenever I read the terrible comments about church musicians on CAF.
**I agree with the author of this book. All of us need to be alert for those walking out the “back door” of the Church, and we need to understand their reasons and try very hard to come up with reasons for them to stay anyway, AND we need to reach out to them and continue to show the love of Christ to them. ** That’s why I’m glad this thread was re-instated–I think it could help us to learn how to step up and help someone to decide NOT to leave the Catholic Church.
After reading this book, I honestly think that there are some reasons that are so awful and tragic, that God will forgive someone who leaves their church and never goes back.
In fact, after reading the book, it occurred to me that the reason why God allows so many churches instead of making us One Church is that we have sinned so badly against our fellow Christians that there are Christians who would avoid church entirely if they didn’t have different church options. A Christian on their own, without the Church, is in grave danger of losing their soul to the “wolves” and to Satan. They are easy game for these carnivores.
I don’t know if my theory is true. Probably not, considering Jesus’ great prayer for unity.
But I do think we need to put on compassion extraordinaire when it comes to people who have left churches.
Some of you might frown over the idea that someone would actually leave the Catholic Church because of music, and tell me that this person doesn’t deserve compassion. Perhaps you’re right, but I work with a lot of musicians, and to these people, music isn’t just “entertainment,” it’s their life-blood, their reason for living. My organ teacher told me once that his idea of hell was being forced to listen to contemporary Christian music for all eternity! He meant it, too.
I hope that some of you will check out this book and learn much.
I would like to recommend a fascinating, useful, and heart-breaking book called Exit Interviews by William D. Hendricks. amazon.com/Exit-Interviews-Revealing-Stories-Leaving/dp/0802423183
The author’s proposal is that all churches and Christians need to “watch the back door” of the Church and try to “catch” those who are running out that back door and away from the Church.
The author interviewed people who have left churches (all denominations, including the Catholic Church) and asked them why. The interviews are gut-wrenching and depressing and very very sad. When I read the book, I found that I could only manage to read one interview a day because they were so very sad. I actually cried over some of the interviews.
Many of the reasons discussed in this thread are brought up in Exit Interviews, especially the reason of “being hurt by someone in their church.”
There was one sad interview with a musician who was mistreated horribly in his church. It haunts me to this day. Musicians seem to be especially vulnerable to mistreatment by church people. I cringe whenever I read the terrible comments about church musicians on CAF.
**I agree with the author of this book. All of us need to be alert for those walking out the “back door” of the Church, and we need to understand their reasons and try very hard to come up with reasons for them to stay anyway, AND we need to reach out to them and continue to show the love of Christ to them. ** That’s why I’m glad this thread was re-instated–I think it could help us to learn how to step up and help someone to decide NOT to leave the Catholic Church.
After reading this book, I honestly think that there are some reasons that are so awful and tragic, that God will forgive someone who leaves their church and never goes back.
In fact, after reading the book, it occurred to me that the reason why God allows so many churches instead of making us One Church is that we have sinned so badly against our fellow Christians that there are Christians who would avoid church entirely if they didn’t have different church options. A Christian on their own, without the Church, is in grave danger of losing their soul to the “wolves” and to Satan. They are easy game for these carnivores.
I don’t know if my theory is true. Probably not, considering Jesus’ great prayer for unity.
But I do think we need to put on compassion extraordinaire when it comes to people who have left churches.
Some of you might frown over the idea that someone would actually leave the Catholic Church because of music, and tell me that this person doesn’t deserve compassion. Perhaps you’re right, but I work with a lot of musicians, and to these people, music isn’t just “entertainment,” it’s their life-blood, their reason for living. My organ teacher told me once that his idea of hell was being forced to listen to contemporary Christian music for all eternity! He meant it, too.
I hope that some of you will check out this book and learn much.
L
lutheran_farmer
Guest
There is an entire generation of people that left before Vatican II and raised their children outside the Church. Their grandchildren are also, most likely, being raised outside the Church as well. They call themselves Baby Boomers and they got a little crazy in the 60’s. They were young and invincible back then. They thought they didn’t need the Church anymore because they rejected the establishment. But they are getting older now, and they need a place to re-connect with the God of their childhood. They are lonely and searching. The need to know God’s love and forgiveness. We need to invite them back and reassure them that, despite their wild days, divorces, and remarriages, they can come home again.
A
AbideWithMe
Guest
I wondered about the myself. Sometimes, for people who have been traumatically scarred (I’m not talking about the small bumps and bruises we all give and receive in any group of people) by a certain church, it seems unreasonable to insist they continue in that church. I think Post Traumatic Church Stress Disorder is a real thing.
F
Faithdancer
Guest
That’s a great II Samuel quote, Abide- and I’m reading that studying that book for a course, even as we speak!
As far as the rest- there certainly are those who convert from Catholic to Protestant for “theological reasons.” And, whether the number of Protestant denominations is 4 or 144,000, proves nothing. You and the author of II Samuel have just explained one more reason why this is true.
S
snowwolf0111
Guest
hi,
i’m quite angry about this whole matter… for example my niece was a really strong believing catholic… she converted into a protestant… and how/why ? cause protestants talked her into it… that is how is happens many times on this earth… look at Brazil… before an absolute Catholic country… now it’s turning more and more into Protestantism… and what is Protestantism ? made my Martin Luther and ( can’t remember the other guy’s name)… so made by humans… while Catholicism comes from our first pope st. Peter… a direct disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes a lot of misunderstanding from Bible-passages… that also… many things like why do you worship Mary ? Why do you pray to statues ?.. stop misunderstanding… understand us Catholics… read the bible again without misunderstanding… convert back into the first Christian religion and lets all think alike !
Hope I don’t sound to extremist… but i’m just a passionate Catholic… that’s all…
i’m quite angry about this whole matter… for example my niece was a really strong believing catholic… she converted into a protestant… and how/why ? cause protestants talked her into it… that is how is happens many times on this earth… look at Brazil… before an absolute Catholic country… now it’s turning more and more into Protestantism… and what is Protestantism ? made my Martin Luther and ( can’t remember the other guy’s name)… so made by humans… while Catholicism comes from our first pope st. Peter… a direct disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes a lot of misunderstanding from Bible-passages… that also… many things like why do you worship Mary ? Why do you pray to statues ?.. stop misunderstanding… understand us Catholics… read the bible again without misunderstanding… convert back into the first Christian religion and lets all think alike !
Hope I don’t sound to extremist… but i’m just a passionate Catholic… that’s all…
R
rjg99a
Guest
When you say the Protestants talked her into it, do you know the reasons that they gave her that persuaded her? I assume that they mush have some reasons that sounded appealing to her. And as the OP of this thread, those of the types of things I was curious about.
Speaking as a previous-Protestant-but-not-quite-yet-Catholic, I’ll say that even though you’ve likely heard the same questions about Mary and statues over and and over and it’s probably annoying - know that they are legitimate questions that many/most Protestant-to-Catholic people have. It’s really hard for us to understand the importance of Mary and the other saints. These questions are asked not to try to discredit the Catholic faith, but in trying to understand. I’ve read the Bible many times through (went to Christian schools 5th grade-college), but because I was reading it under the guidance of the Protestant faith, it by itself would not have lead me to the Catholic faith.
I just want to make sure that the tone of this thread stays friendly, especially since the moderator was kind enough to re-open it for us. My intentions in asking the question in the OP are genuine and I really appreciate this thread/discussion.
R
rjg99a
Guest
You know Cat, I do kind of actually get this. I live in L.A. and my husband works in the tv/film business and we have lots and lots (and lots!) of acquaintances that also work in the same industry. If say, showing films was somehow a regular part of attending church, then I could likely (though unfortunately) see many of my acquaintances making judgements about a religion based solely on the kinds of films shown/produced by a particular church. It does sound a bit superficial, but for many of the people I know where film is their life-blood, they would probably feel like they were in hell having to suffer through really bad ones all in sake of religion.
However, for an impassioned musician, is there not a place at a parish for them to help better the parish’s music? Perhaps not with guitars and drums, but in another, more reverent format, but something that the musician could still find beauty in? (I’m asking this honestly; I don’t really know what stance the Catholic church has on music during mass. Do they only allow choirs?)
Oh, and thank you for the book recommendation!
A
AbideWithMe
Guest
Yes, in my limited observations I have known well-taught devout cradle Catholics who became Protestants for theological reasons.
It’s true that some people change from Catholic to Protestant (and vice versa) for personal–rather than theological–reasons. Some of those personal reasons have real depth to them, and we should not simply label them as frivolous “church shoppers”. However, I think that saying that most Catholics become Protestants for personal reasons can too easily be used as a way to dismiss the well-considered theological reasons behind a change to being a Protestant.
C
Cat
Guest
I certainly think that musicians can make a difference for the better in any parish. If nothing else, they can sing out, and that often helps others to sing out, too.
Often, musicians can read music, and so I think that if there is a desire in the parish for chant, these musicians should be called upon to be part of the schola and learn how to do chant.
Musicians (pianists and guitarists, and maybe violinists) can sub for the staff organist (hired by the parish), and this helps him or her to avoid burnout and ennui because they are actually able to attend their child’s soccer banquet or 1st Communion or go away with their spouse on their anniversary.
The temptation for musicians is to feel “superior” to all the unfortunates in their parish who don’t have the same appreciation for fine music that they do. That temptation has to be conquered, or the musician come across as a stuck-up snob.
M
Marie5890
Guest
I can well believe what many Catholics become Protestant for theological reason.
Theologians, Catholic or otherwise, are still only humans with egos (and for the most part, that meant male egos). Theology, purely stated, can not be based on egos, male or otherwise.
Human ego (male or otherwise) is weak and broken just like any other area of study. I can well understand why a Catholic, who has done serious research, has seen where human ego (specially male ego) can enter the equation and all of a sudden the word “truth” is deemed…
Anyone with a sense of how BROKEN human egos are, knows that there is so much room for , well brokenness, into the variables, can understand how not everything that comes out of the curia represents Divine Realitities. That defies human reason, human reality, human brokenness…
The close one wants to become a real and authentic Disciple of Christ, the more open they are to human brokeness and ego, and that includes in the Curia itself…
Theologians, Catholic or otherwise, are still only humans with egos (and for the most part, that meant male egos). Theology, purely stated, can not be based on egos, male or otherwise.
Human ego (male or otherwise) is weak and broken just like any other area of study. I can well understand why a Catholic, who has done serious research, has seen where human ego (specially male ego) can enter the equation and all of a sudden the word “truth” is deemed…
Anyone with a sense of how BROKEN human egos are, knows that there is so much room for , well brokenness, into the variables, can understand how not everything that comes out of the curia represents Divine Realitities. That defies human reason, human reality, human brokenness…
The close one wants to become a real and authentic Disciple of Christ, the more open they are to human brokeness and ego, and that includes in the Curia itself…
C
Cat
Guest
We were thrown out of our Protestant church (Evangelical Free Church in America) after being enthusiastic members of that church for 7 years.
Traumatic is an understatement.
On other threads, I have described what happened in more detail. At the time it happened (in 2002), I wrote everything down, and it’s 70 pages long, so I think I would be in trouble here on CAF if I tried to cut and paste it!
But it was dreadful. My husband and me, and our two daughters immediately stopped attending all churches. My older daughter said, “Mom, if they could kick you and Dad out after all you’ve done for them, what would they do to me?”
My younger daughter still doesn’t attend church. I don’t think she will ever be at a place where she can trust any church. She went through some things at that church that were much worse than what any of the rest of us experienced (possible sexual abuse).
The idea of “Post Traumatic Church Syndrome” is very accurate. I wonder if any psychologists have proposed it and studied it? It would be a worthwhile study.
F
Faithdancer
Guest
Very well reasoned, Abide, and I prefer to dwell on what unites us rather than what divides us.
I
Irishgal49
Guest
Thanks for your comments on this. I’m sorry you went through all that but I’m very comforted in knowing I’m not alone. Post Traumatic Church Syndrome might explain my freaking out panic attacks that drive me out after only about 15-20 minutes.We were thrown out of our Protestant church (Evangelical Free Church in America) after being enthusiastic members of that church for 7 years.
Traumatic is an understatement.
On other threads, I have described what happened in more detail. At the time it happened (in 2002), I wrote everything down, and it’s 70 pages long, so I think I would be in trouble here on CAF if I tried to cut and paste it!
But it was dreadful. My husband and me, and our two daughters immediately stopped attending all churches. My older daughter said, “Mom, if they could kick you and Dad out after all you’ve done for them, what would they do to me?”
My younger daughter still doesn’t attend church. I don’t think she will ever be at a place where she can trust any church. She went through some things at that church that were much worse than what any of the rest of us experienced (possible sexual abuse).
The idea of “Post Traumatic Church Syndrome” is very accurate. I wonder if any psychologists have proposed it and studied it? It would be a worthwhile study.
- Status