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

[JRKH]

Not a good analogy, with all respect. While Catholics may or may not like the Tridentine Mass, they are all in one communion, unified (to a great extent) by doctrine.
This is not the case with protestants. Hence the problem with the term protestant. It isn’t a matter of “mega-church” model, the difference is doctrine. So, for example, Lutherans and Baptists are not in communion not because of our worship style, but because we have significant differences in doctrine.

Jon

 

[AbideWithMe]

Wait, I thought that was Catholicism? Stop trying to confuse me!

No, no, we all know that Catholicism cares about money and keeping a secret Vatican file on every living person and keeping a crashed UFO hidden under St. Peter’s.

 

[AbideWithMe]

Not a good analogy, with all respect. While Catholics may or may not like the Tridentine Mass, they are all in one communion, unified (to a great extent) by doctrine.
This is not the case with protestants. Hence the problem with the term protestant. It isn’t a matter of “mega-church” model, the difference is doctrine. So, for example, Lutherans and Baptists are not in communion not because of our worship style, but because we have significant differences in doctrine.

Jon

I thought Faithdancer was making a comparison about how we all can fall into the trap of generalizing about other groups based on our own limited experience?

 

[Peter_J]

No, no, we all know that Catholicism cares about money and keeping a secret Vatican file on every living person and keeping a crashed UFO hidden under St. Peter’s.

They promised me no Protestant would ever hear about that!

 

[JonNC]

I thought Faithdancer was making a comparison about how we all can fall into the trap of generalizing about other groups based on our own limited experience?

Hi Abide,
I don’t think I took his quote out of context.
*=Faithdancer;12094507]It’s interesting how Roman Catholics here seem to want to lump all Protestants into their concept of the “mega-church” model, Perhaps that is the sum of their experience with Protestant churches. However, it’s tantamount to Protestants saying that all Catholics prefer the Tridentine Mass. *

But even if I did, I still think my post makes sense, based on the quote.

Jon

 

[SyroMalankara]

They promised me no Protestant would ever hear about that!

Don’t forget the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch are both 33rd Degree Masons - in between the secret handshake and “The Paddling of the Swollen *** … with Paddles”, are plotting the New World Order, Jesuit run, obviously.

Their nefarious theme song is below:

Who controls the British crown? Who keeps the metric system down? We do, we do!
Who keeps Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the Martians under wraps? We do, we do!
Who holds back the electric car? Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star? We do, we do!
Who robs cavefish of their sight? Who rigs every Oscar night? We do, we do, we do!

 

[AbideWithMe]

Hi Abide,
I don’t think I took his quote out of context.
*=Faithdancer;12094507]It’s interesting how Roman Catholics here seem to want to lump all Protestants into their concept of the “mega-church” model, Perhaps that is the sum of their experience with Protestant churches. However, it’s tantamount to Protestants saying that all Catholics prefer the Tridentine Mass. *

But even if I did, I still think my post makes sense, based on the quote.

Jon

Jon, what you said does make sense if one takes it farther…but from Faithdancer’s quote, “Perhaps it is the sum of their experience with Protestant churches” I read it as just a comparison about making generalizations from limited experience.

I will sheepishly admit that when I was a young teenager I thought all Catholics went to the Tridentine Mass. One of my closest high school friends was a charismatic Catholic, so when I went to her church I was surprised at a Mass in English.

 

[AbideWithMe]

Don’t forget the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch are both 33rd Degree Masons - in between the secret handshake and “The Paddling of the Swollen *** … with Paddles”, are plotting the New World Order, Jesuit run, obviously.

Their nefarious theme song is below:

Who controls the British crown? Who keeps the metric system down? We do, we do!
Who keeps Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the Martians under wraps? We do, we do!
Who holds back the electric car? Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star? We do, we do!
Who robs cavefish of their sight? Who rigs every Oscar night? We do, we do, we do!

I knew about the Jesuits and the New World Order, but Atlantis??

 

[Peter_J]

Don’t forget the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch are both 33rd Degree Masons - in between the secret handshake and “The Paddling of the Swollen *** … with Paddles”, are plotting the New World Order, Jesuit run, obviously.

Their nefarious theme song is below:

Who controls the British crown? Who keeps the metric system down? We do, we do!
Who keeps Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the Martians under wraps? We do, we do!
Who holds back the electric car? Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star? We do, we do!
Who robs cavefish of their sight? Who rigs every Oscar night? We do, we do, we do!

Great song. You’ve obviously heard it before but for anyone not so lucky:
youtube.com/watch?v=eD3FN0Ah4RE

 

[Peter_J]

Originally Posted by JonNC View Post
Hi Abide,
I don’t think I took his quote out of context.
=Faithdancer;12094507]It’s interesting how Roman Catholics here seem to want to lump all Protestants into their concept of the “mega-church” model, Perhaps that is the sum of their experience with Protestant churches. However, it’s tantamount to Protestants saying that all Catholics prefer the Tridentine Mass.

I actually think part of the problem is modern capitalization-craze. Often times it is harmless (e.g. “the President”) but when people capitalize “Protestant” it makes it sound like you’re actually one body.

 

[JonNC]

I actually think part of the problem is modern capitalization-craze. Often times it is harmless (e.g. “the President”) but when people capitalize “Protestant” it makes it sound like you’re actually one body.

Which is why I don’t. There is no “Protestant Church”, and never has been.

Jon

 

[JRKH]

Which is why I don’t. There is no “Protestant Church”, and never has been.

Jon

Point taken and yet I am one that would tend to capitalize “protestant” since I see protestants themselves do it.
This very thread is started that way…

From the OP…
Having come from a Protestant upbringing, I know why I became disenchanted with Protestantism…

But you are quite right in saying that, in fact, there is no such thing as, “Protestantism” (though my magic spell check says it is a word). There is however a lot of “-isms” under the overall banner of “protestant”.

Peace
James

 

[Faithdancer]

Not a good analogy, with all respect. While Catholics may or may not like the Tridentine Mass, they are all in one communion, unified (to a great extent) by doctrine.
This is not the case with protestants. Hence the problem with the term protestant. It isn’t a matter of “mega-church” model, the difference is doctrine. So, for example, Lutherans and Baptists are not in communion not because of our worship style, but because we have significant differences in doctrine.

Jon

The analogy wasn’t intended to be equivalent in specifics, but in the degree of absurdity and false assumptions.

 

[Peter_J]

Point taken and yet I am one that would tend to capitalize “protestant” since I see protestants themselves do it.
This very thread is started that way…

But you are quite right in saying that, in fact, there is no such thing as, “Protestantism” (though my magic spell check says it is a word). There is however a lot of “-isms” under the overall banner of “protestant”.

Peace
James

Right. I would capitalize “Protestant” in proper names like “the Protestant Episcopal Church”, just like I capitalize “Anglican Catholic Church”, “Roman Catholic Church”, etc.

On the other hand, note that I would say “We, the Orthodox, and the Anglicans and all catholic.”

 

[tonyrey]

Well, as long as you are asking…

Someone who believes that saving a life by preventing HIV infection is more important than using a condom, might not be attracted to Catholicism.

Someone who believes that an organization which represents itself to hold the moral high ground should have helped victims, instead of enabling child molesters, and instead of shirking its apparent moral obligations when it’s behavior was exposed, might not be attracted to Catholicism.

Someone who knows enough about church history to be aware of the various atrocities, might be skeptical of its potential for moral behavior when it will be put to the test again in the future, and therefore may not want to risk being associated with such an institution.

Someone who perceives the gay marriage issue as one of social justice, might be ashamed to be called a Catholic.

There are many reasons for which one might reject Catholicism in favor of Protestantism.

There is one excellent reason for rejecting the cogency of your argument. You are identifying the Catholic Church with individual Catholics. Can you cite any infallible doctrines that are immoral and unjust?

 

[Faithdancer]

I thought Faithdancer was making a comparison about how we all can fall into the trap of generalizing about other groups based on our own limited experience?

Exactly. There is a tendency on the part of some Roman Catholics on CAF to lump all Protestants into the “megachurch” model, to which Protestants are supposedly attracted by what is dismissively labeled as shallow, “feel good” worship. I don’t know whether that’s because some RC’s really believe that or it’s just sophistry (something that is abundant on these forums).

Parenthetically, there are many devout Christians in the “megachurches” too; whether they are new converts or not is irrelevant. I believe that these “megachurch” or “seeker friendly” churches can be very valuable in the initial evangelization of unbelievers. Those who want a deeper level of understanding will either seek it in study groups, or leave for other, smaller churches. However some “megachurch” leaders have taken note of this and have become more Scripture focused, with more exegesis and expository preaching as a (positive) result.

 

[JonNC]

The analogy wasn’t intended to be equivalent in specifics, but in the degree of absurdity and false assumptions.

Understood. I hope you understand my comments.

Jon

 

[Peter_J]

There is one excellent reason for rejecting the cogency of your argument. You are identifying the Catholic Church with individual Catholics. Can you cite any infallible doctrines that are immoral and unjust?

I didn’t know a doctrine can be infallible, immoral, and unjust.

 

[yesican2]

there is good and effective teaching and education in the non catholic church assemblies-- and even the AOG–church – encourages that the people particapate in praying in tongues-- which is the “least of the gifts”

as i was raised and educated roman catholic – and in the 4th grade we went thru the “confirmation” ceremony-- and 20 years later-- all the people i grew up with has said – they didn’t get a "greater holy spirit 'endument–

a person has to go to a NON catholic church if you want to learn about the “belivers authorty” – or how to hear the voice of the holy Spirit-- or how to functionin the 9 gifts of the spirit–

the catholic model of religion is – to go to our “special” communion service–becasue we have the “REAL presence”" and then go to confession-- because you are a sinner–

ther is no way – that Jesus and God the father would – demand that you go to a catholic mass on sunday-- or you will have a mortal sin and can now go to Hell–

there are so many teaching of men by men – to take the place of the actual power and presence of the Holy Spirit–in the catholic religion–and then claim “we have the fullness”

because – are priests-- superior-- they just give - uninspiring “holmies”

PDF]
MEN BEWITCHED - Spurgeon Gems

www.spurgeongems.org/vols25-27/chs1546.pdf

“O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, … WITH very great enthusiasm the Galatians received the Gospel when Paul preached it to them. … The Apostle says that the Galatians had had Christ set forth.

It is obvious that Apostle Paul directed this epistle to the churches of Galatia … O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was.

(1) Paul confronts their blurred vision of Jesus and His work for them. O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before …

 

[tonyrey]

There is one excellent reason for rejecting the cogency of your argument. You are identifying the Catholic Church with individual Catholics. Can you cite any infallible doctrines that are immoral and unjust?

Neither did I but at least one cynic thinks it is possible!