What convinced YOU to come back?

[Sy_Noe]

Hi Kepha15,

I can’t speak for myself, but I can share with you my experiences with a family member that has left the Catholic Church for an evangelical Protestant church. The key for this family member leaving was that they didn’t feel spiritually nourished by the Catholic Church. They had a bad experience at a bible study where everyone stated that they’re going to heaven as long as they were “good people”. And my family member didn’t believe in the Eucharist, despised confession, and didn’t get anything out of Mass beyond the scripture readings and the sermon. I say this because many people who have responded to you seem to say that they are drawn back to the Eucharist or Mary and this isn’t going to be the case for my family member (and maybe your sister) because they really never believed in the first place.

The evangelical church my family member now attends provides a very lively environment. It’s basically a Christian concert every Sunday with a very knowledgeable pastor who gives entertaining and relevant sermons (I’ve attended several services at this church myself). My family member’s Christian faith has blossomed since attending this Protestant church. The truth about the Catholic Church doesn’t matter to this family member as they are more focused on where they are in their faith journey. It is incredibly frustrating for me and after a few testy discussions I have decided to let the Holy Spirit do His work and stop badgering.

I have planted the seeds of truth, but I now realize that I can’t force even the truth on someone. My recommendation would be to present the truth of the Catholic faith to your sister in a very loving manner, but do not judge and don’t be overbearing (unlike me!!). Plant the seeds, pray, be a strong Catholic yourself and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Be there for your sister if/when she’s ready for further discussion, but be prepared for the possibility that she will become an evangelical Protestant herself. If the truth isn’t the focus of worship that kind of environment can be quite compelling.

Sorry, I can’t be of more help, but I just wanted to share my experience. Thanks.

-Ernie-

I tried to express this earlier in the thread. It also takes faith including in Catholic teaching authority whether on the Eucharist or whatever have you, in order to believe and think one knows the truth.

 

[Ernie07]

I tried to express this earlier in the thread. It also takes faith including in Catholic teaching authority whether on the Eucharist or whatever have you, in order to believe and think one knows the truth.

You bring up a good point. It seems like nowadays many Christians focus on the emotion of their faith…how does it make me feel rather than what is the truth. Loud and lively music and scripture readings along with a gifted speaker makes people feel good. Whether the teachings and beliefs are based on truth is irrelevant oddly enough. And that’s what I was trying to help Kepha understand regarding his sister.

The Catholic faith is not nearly as exciting in general and the Mass could easily be termed boring when compared to an evangelical Protestant service. The Mass is all about the Eucharist and if a Catholic doesn’t believe and/or understand the magnitude of the miracle that occurs at every Mass then a Catholic is susceptible to Protestant messaging.

And also to your point about Church authority the Church has always interpreted The Lord’s Supper in combination with John Chapter 6 as being the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. No one denied this for nearly 1000 years of the Church. It’s true or Jesus failed to protect His Church. That’s powerful, but not so to many who are looking for emotional satisfaction.

How do we make the truth more important to people in today’s society in the U.S.? That’s the million dollar question!!!

-Ernie-

 

[Casilda]

You bring up a good point. It seems like nowadays many Christians focus on the emotion of their faith…how does it make me feel rather than what is the truth. Loud and lively music and scripture readings along with a gifted speaker makes people feel good. Whether the teachings and beliefs are based on truth is irrelevant oddly enough. And that’s what I was trying to help Kepha understand regarding his sister.

The Catholic faith is not nearly as exciting in general and the Mass could easily be termed boring when compared to an evangelical Protestant service. The Mass is all about the Eucharist and if a Catholic doesn’t believe and/or understand the magnitude of the miracle that occurs at every Mass then a Catholic is susceptible to Protestant messaging.

And also to your point about Church authority the Church has always interpreted The Lord’s Supper in combination with John Chapter 6 as being the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. No one denied this for nearly 1000 years of the Church. It’s true or Jesus failed to protect His Church.** That’s powerful, but not so to many who are looking for emotional satisfaction.**

How do we make the truth more important to people in today’s society in the U.S.? That’s the million dollar question!!!

-Ernie-

Stoicism is an ancient pagan philosophy. We were created as emotional beings. There has to be a balance as one can not compromise truth.

When I hear a non-practicing Catholic tell me they are not being fed spiritually it means they come and go and (the church is full of stoics) nothing else. We are spiritual beings. We need human interaction. The stoics have ruined the church.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Stoicism is an ancient pagan philosophy. We were created as emotional beings. There has to be a balance as one can not compromise truth.

When I hear a non-practicing Catholic tell me they are not being fed spiritually it means they come and go and (the church is full of stoics) nothing else. We are spiritual beings. We need human interaction. The stoics have ruined the church.

There is definitely a need to find a good balance between being too emotional and too stoic.