Why are those in catholic consecrated life generally frowned upon in other protestant groups?

[DihydrogenOxide]

This is purely out of curiosity. Why does it seem that most protestant denominations frown upon those in consecrated life. I’d like to see your answers.

Many times those in catholic consecrated life are frowned upon by fellow catholics. Why is it that people are not as willing to be open to this vocation among you catholics and snub their nose at it?

 

[kimmielittle]

listeningopcorn:

 

[fabricdragon]

in my amateur historian opinion… having grown up Episcopalian (we had nuns, just most people didnt know that)

The religious orders are almost a defining characteristic of “Catholic”
when you hear nuns, and monks, and such you immediately ASSUME Catholic (unless you are Buddhist) and when the Protestant reformations swept through, well. they could convert the churches to their use, but Monasteries and Nunneries and such were useless to them… big. tempting… juicy… profitable… bits of land and buildings, once they got rid of the religious.

so the groups that came from that… have no positive experience with such. all they think of is whatever they get from pop culture, and their church
which is often bad
in at least a few of the churches i have visited, women’s highest calling was held to be motherhood… and a woman who didnt get married was a social embarrassment, but all they talked about “nuns” was "poor women locked up because their families didnt want to/couldnt marry them off.

and thats about what i got in school history (public school) also. that nunneries, and to a lesser extent any of teh monks and priests… were places for the nobles and etc to “dump” their extra kids

if thats what you knew about religious… i doubt you would think very highly of them

 

[bpbasilphx]

Even Lutheran and Methodist Churches once upon a time had “deaconesses,” who were basically nuns. Even Baptist deaconesses in Germany wore a habit looking all the world like Benedictines.

Have you ever heard of the Taize and Grandchamps Communities?

There is a house of Lutheran sisters in my city–Evangelical Sisters of Mary. (Evangelische Marienschwesterschaft).

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

I understand all of the above about other consecrated nuns, etc. in protestant groups, i.e. the title of the thread being:

Re: Why are those in catholic consecrated life generally frowned upon in other protestant groups?

Just a clarification.

Yes, I agree about the unwanted women part. Good point.

 

[Cominghome89]

It is very interesting that there seems to be no place for celibate lives of service in most Protestant groups. As was said above, in the main, older Protestant denominations, it is less surprising. But particularly within Evangelical and Fundamentalist circles, it is very surprising that celibacy is so frowned upon and misunderstood, when it is so biblical.

Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. Now to the unmarried and to widows, I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do, but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to be on fire. - 1 Cor 7:7-9

[His] disciples said to him, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, "Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it. -Matthew 19:10-12

Not exactly shocking, all denominations have to ignore certain teachings of the Bible. There is only one Church that has an answer to every question of faith, only one Church that is Christianity in its fullness

Peace and blessings,
Frank

 

[4Squarebaby]

in my amateur historian opinion… having grown up Episcopalian (we had nuns, just most people didnt know that)

The religious orders are almost a defining characteristic of “Catholic”
when you hear nuns, and monks, and such you immediately ASSUME Catholic (unless you are Buddhist) and when the Protestant reformations swept through, well. they could convert the churches to their use, but Monasteries and Nunneries and such were useless to them… big. tempting… juicy… profitable… bits of land and buildings, once they got rid of the religious.

so the groups that came from that… have no positive experience with such. all they think of is whatever they get from pop culture, and their church
which is often bad
in at least a few of the churches i have visited, women’s highest calling was held to be motherhood… and a woman who didnt get married was a social embarrassment, but all they talked about “nuns” was "poor women locked up because their families didnt want to/couldnt marry them off.

and thats about what i got in school history (public school) also. that nunneries, and to a lesser extent any of teh monks and priests… were places for the nobles and etc to “dump” their extra kids

if thats what you knew about religious… i doubt you would think very highly of them

Sounds true to me. In school I also learned the third son who would not inherit went into the clergy. While the second son took his chance in public service, full time Army or Naval Officer.

On the other hand I’ve heard from two different Jewish radio talk show host that in traditional Jewish life you are not considered a man until you become a husband and father. Perhaps that prejudice is one reason for rejecting Jesus as Messiah?

Today I heard from a Mormon friend once how could you take family and life advice from a never married virgin. What does he really know since he doesn’t have his own life experience to temper his advice to his parrisioners.