Why are you Protestant?

[benedictus2]

In a Wisconsin Evangelical Synod Lutheran church, a Roman Catholic would not be allowed to receive communion regardless of how you felt about it.

And rightly so becuase the Catholic is not in communion with the Wisonsin Evangelica Synod Lutheran Church.

 

[benedictus2]

I’m a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism. I can tell you why I used to be Protestant. I used to be Protestant because that is how I was raised. I can also tell you why I am Catholic. I am Catholic because the Holy Spirit went fishing and got me hook, line, and sinker! :thumbsup:

Great line :clapping:

 

[benedictus2]

This thread is about why some are Protestants. Please stay on topic. This is not a thread of “Thoughts of benedictus” if you feel compeled to tell the rest of the world your thoughts please start your own thread and stop trying to hijack this one.

Petal, you’re giving me way too much credit. Little old me capable of hijacking a thread? Bannish the thought

 

[benedictus2]

It is not a personal attack. I took you at your word in the OP that you were asking Protestants why they were. I did not read over all the posts on this thread so maybe you ammended it. Her comments are most cetainly off topic from your OP.

Quite incorrect. My comments were right on the mark in reference to the post I am replying to. That is why i always put in quotes the points I am addressing and why answers to post in detail.

My comments are not in response to the OP but to the other posts in the thread.

 

[Anna_Scott]

I love to visit protestant services on a regular basis, they all have some aspects I find appealing, yet often, I wonder, how many of the people that attend here are of their particular denomination that defines this one specifically as theirs compared to another. What is it in particular you choose this one and not another, what defines it specifically, how knowledgeable are you about it, compared to another and this being the very reason you stick to just this one?

I also wonder, how many of the members have given the Catholic church a second thought, much less, explore what it’s about and truly know what it means to be a Catholic? I know the question if asked of me would produce many reasons for why I choose it over the protestant denominations, I also think, are the same things that were in place during the reformation, the same now? Do they apply to today’s times, and if not, is there a reason to remain outside of it still to this day? I feel there are many that attend, not really putting forth an understanding of the times that existed during the formation of their denomination, and in many cases, they are there only because they have not explored other avenues at all, it seems often, simply saying the word Catholic, all of a sudden, a stream of thought, largely misguided about the church raises several red flags, like it’s this big unapproachable church and is beyond their reach to even bother entertain dialog with people that practice their faith within it.

I’m curious to see the response to it here, and I guess, in my case, I’m not afraid to attend and fellowship with Protestants, at their places of worship, I just don’t see that happening very often at mine and I want to know why as well.

prodigalson:

You have raised some very interesting questions.

I grew up in Southern Baptist Churches. My name is still on the role at a local Baptist Church here in Texas (more than 12,000 members,) though I rarely attend.

About 4 years ago, I began studying the history of the transmission of Scripture and the History of Judaism and Christianity. I had no idea that this study would cause me to question much of what I have been taught my whole life.

I cannot call myself a Baptist anymore. My studies revealed many false doctrines espoused in Baptist Churches. I mean no disrespect to the Baptist Forum Members. I am just honestly stating my experience.

I came to these Forums looking for answers. Like many Protestants who come here, I argued Sola Scriptura. Over time, and through discussions with some very patient forum members, I let Sola Scriptura go, realizing Protestants simply traded Catholic tradition for the tradition of the Protestant Reformers.

After spending time on CAF; I tried a Protestant Forum on another website. That was a disaster.

I had grown accustomed to the free exchange of ideas here at CAF. Subsequently, I got in so much trouble, so quickly on the Protestant Forum. I was not allowed to question or argue against certain doctrines. Moderators removed many of my posts, and I was getting private messages from a site minister, who told me most of the staff questioned my agenda. He offered to discuss my questions through private messages. I was stunned.

I am telling you all this to demonstrate an unfortunate mindset in some Protestant religions—there are things that you are not to question or even discuss.

Church History is rarely incorporated in Protestant teaching–at least in the Baptist Churches I attended. And heaven forbid, I should question the KJV of the Bible.

I also witnessed anti-Catholic sentiment within the Baptist Church. Some Protestants make Catholics sound so terrible, a good Protestant would not dare explore your beliefs. This is not all Protestants. This is simply my experience.

So, after 4 years of study, I am not at a point of embracing Catholicism; yet I cannot go back to false teachings of the Baptist Church. I have said before, that I don’t really know where I belong. I am somewhere between Protestantism and Catholicism. I have even had Protestant forum members, here, accuse me of sounding more Catholic than Protestant, and that was not meant to be a compliment.

I have learned so much here and I appreciate the freedom of speech here.

I am 54 years old. Even with all my studies, I have found that it is difficult to escape 54 years of indoctrination.

Still Searching,
Anna

 

[NotTooSmart]

Hmmm, there is Christian called NottoSmart in this forum. You are right not to want to be this type of Christian.

I am going to respectfully ask that you please treat me with respect and stop personally insulting me.

 

[kristanl]

prodigalson:

You have raised some very interesting questions.

I grew up in Southern Baptist Churches. My name is still on the role at a local Baptist Church here in Texas (more than 12,000 members,) though I rarely attend.

About 4 years ago, I began studying the history of the transmission of Scripture and the History of Judaism and Christianity. I had no idea that this study would cause me to question much of what I have been taught my whole life.

I cannot call myself a Baptist anymore. My studies revealed many false doctrines espoused in Baptist Churches. I mean no disrespect to the Baptist Forum Members. I am just honestly stating my experience.

I came to these Forums looking for answers. Like many Protestants who come here, I argued Sola Scriptura. Over time, and through discussions with some very patient forum members, I let Sola Scriptura go, realizing Protestants simply traded Catholic tradition for the tradition of the Protestant Reformers.

After spending time on CAF; I tried a Protestant Forum on another website. That was a disaster.

I had grown accustomed to the free exchange of ideas here at CAF. Subsequently, I got in so much trouble, so quickly on the Protestant Forum. I was not allowed to question or argue against certain doctrines. Moderators removed many of my posts, and I was getting private messages from a site minister, who told me most of the staff questioned my agenda. He offered to discuss my questions through private messages. I was stunned.

I am telling you all this to demonstrate an unfortunate mindset in some Protestant religions—there are things that you are not to question or even discuss.

Church History is rarely incorporated in Protestant teaching–at least in the Baptist Churches I attended. And heaven forbid, I should question the KJV of the Bible.

I also witnessed anti-Catholic sentiment within the Baptist Church. Some Protestants make Catholics sound so terrible, a good Protestant would not dare explore your beliefs. This is not all Protestants. This is simply my experience.

So, after 4 years of study, I am not at a point of embracing Catholicism; yet I cannot go back to false teachings of the Baptist Church. I have said before, that I don’t really know where I belong. I am somewhere between Protestantism and Catholicism. I have even had Protestant forum members, here, accuse me of sounding more Catholic than Protestant, and that was not meant to be a compliment.

I have learned so much here and I appreciate the freedom of speech here.

I am 54 years old. Even with all my studies, I have found that it is difficult to escape 54 years of indoctrination.

Still Searching,
Anna

I would say to continue with your research on the OT and Jewish tradition. Maybe even look into learning some Hebrew? I think this will help you tremendously. Also, I would suggest looking into the Catechism, the bible, and the Early Church Fathers. Here you will find what the original church looked like, and let me just tell you… It looks pretty Catholic to me.
You could always attend RCIA to get some more questions answered. Or ask some more questions, I would be more then happy to help
I’m going to a class right now called Defending the Faith in a local Catholic Church, so I do need some practice lol.

thanks,

 

[Anna_Scott]

I would say to continue with your research on the OT and Jewish tradition. Maybe even look into learning some Hebrew? I think this will help you tremendously. Also, I would suggest looking into the Catechism, the bible, and the Early Church Fathers. Here you will find what the original church looked like, and let me just tell you… It looks pretty Catholic to me.
You could always attend RCIA to get some more questions answered. Or ask some more questions, I would be more then happy to help
I’m going to a class right now called Defending the Faith in a local Catholic Church, so I do need some practice lol.

thanks,

kristanl:

Thank you so much. You are very kind.

I welcome any books, resources, etc. I have a list going. I keep reading.

I am interested in hearing about your Defending the Faith class.

Anna

 

[Hisalone]

Quite incorrect. My comments were right on the mark in reference to the post I am replying to. That is why i always put in quotes the points I am addressing and why answers to post in detail.

My comments are not in response to the OP but to the other posts in the thread.

I am mistaken I thought this was a thread that you desired Protestants to open their hearts on their beliefs and into the most hidden recesses of their souls.

Your intent all along was to place them on a platform where you could better load, aim, fire.

 

[2nd_Adam]

I am mistaken I thought this was a thread that you desired Protestants to open their hearts on their beliefs and into the most hidden recesses of their souls.

Your intent all along was to place them on a platform where you could better load, aim, fire.

All Protestant and Catholics can join me in the ultimate battle on this thread called Defending the Catholic Faith.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=385438

But, please share with gentlenss and respect. Let’s make this a battle all the way to October 31, 2009. Nailing the 95 Thesis on the Catholic Church door was a work of God, or the work of the devil. I for one, believe the wild boar was sent by God to ravage the vineyard.

 

[benedictus2]

benedictus2:

Hmmm, there is Christian called NottoSmart in this forum. You are right not to want to be this type of Christian.

I am going to respectfully ask that you please treat me with respect and stop personally insulting me.

But you are the one who wrote :" I do not want to be a Christian of the type that I see on these forums. " You are a Christian. You are in these forums.

You really ought to be careful with what you write so it doesn’t come back to you .

Else just find the funny side of it. That was not an insult. That was a play on your own words. You on the other hand were insulting "some"Christians.

 

[benedictus2]

I am mistaken I thought this was a thread that you desired Protestants to open their hearts on their beliefs and into the most hidden recesses of their souls.

Your intent all along was to place them on a platform where you could better load, aim, fire.

You are right about the OPs intent. But I am not the OP.

 

[benedictus2]

All Protestant and Catholics can join me in the ultimate battle on this thread called Defending the Catholic Faith.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=385438

But, please share with gentlenss and respect. Let’s make this a battle all the way to October 31, 2009. Nailing the 95 Thesis on the Catholic Church door was a work of God, or the work of the devil.** I for one, believe the wild boar was sent by God to ravage the vineyard**.

Great thought there. What was the wild boar? What was the vineyard?

 

[benedictus2]

prodigalson:

You have raised some very interesting questions.

I grew up in Southern Baptist Churches. My name is still on the role at a local Baptist Church here in Texas (more than 12,000 members,) though I rarely attend.

About 4 years ago, I began studying the history of the transmission of Scripture and the History of Judaism and Christianity. I had no idea that this study would cause me to question much of what I have been taught my whole life.

I cannot call myself a Baptist anymore. My studies revealed many false doctrines espoused in Baptist Churches. I mean no disrespect to the Baptist Forum Members. I am just honestly stating my experience.

I came to these Forums looking for answers. Like many Protestants who come here, I argued Sola Scriptura. Over time, and through discussions with some very patient forum members, I let Sola Scriptura go, realizing Protestants simply traded Catholic tradition for the tradition of the Protestant Reformers.

After spending time on CAF; I tried a Protestant Forum on another website. That was a disaster.

I had grown accustomed to the free exchange of ideas here at CAF. Subsequently, I got in so much trouble, so quickly on the Protestant Forum. I was not allowed to question or argue against certain doctrines. Moderators removed many of my posts, and I was getting private messages from a site minister, who told me most of the staff questioned my agenda. He offered to discuss my questions through private messages. I was stunned.

I am telling you all this to demonstrate an unfortunate mindset in some Protestant religions—there are things that you are not to question or even discuss.

Church History is rarely incorporated in Protestant teaching–at least in the Baptist Churches I attended. And heaven forbid, I should question the KJV of the Bible.

I also witnessed anti-Catholic sentiment within the Baptist Church. Some Protestants make Catholics sound so terrible, a good Protestant would not dare explore your beliefs. This is not all Protestants. This is simply my experience.

So, after 4 years of study, I am not at a point of embracing Catholicism; yet I cannot go back to false teachings of the Baptist Church. I have said before, that I don’t really know where I belong. I am somewhere between Protestantism and Catholicism. I have even had Protestant forum members, here, accuse me of sounding more Catholic than Protestant, and that was not meant to be a compliment.

I have learned so much here and I appreciate the freedom of speech here.

I am 54 years old. Even with all my studies, I have found that it is difficult to escape 54 years of indoctrination.

Still Searching,
Anna

I am very touched by your post. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you. May He grant you the grace of an open heart and an open mind. It seems though that He has already done that.

As a side note, I love reading conversion stories. And it is always the case, that once people started studying in depth, they came to the truth of the Catholic Church. But all in the Holy Spirit’s good time.

The truth is out there

 

[prodigalson12]

But you are the one who wrote :" I do not want to be a Christian of the type that I see on these forums. " You are a Christian. You are in these forums.

You really ought to be careful with what you write so it doesn’t come back to you .

Else just find the funny side of it. That was not an insult. That was a play on your own words. You on the other hand were insulting "some"Christians.

My view of being a Christian is to be Christ like, showing compassion, empathy, love, forgiveness, to be gentle and humble by nature, to be one that is very approachable, to be thought of as a brother or sister, to be really with you in their intentions towards the good in all manners and if correction or education needs to be discussed, to do so in a Christ like manner…

 

[benedictus2]

My view of being a Christian is to be Christ like, showing compassion, empathy, love, forgiveness, to be gentle and humble by nature, to be one that is very approachable, to be thought of as a brother or sister, to be really with you in their intentions towards the good in all manners and if correction or education needs to be discussed, to do so in a Christ like manner…

 

[prodigalson12]

Good night hunny…

 

[Hisalone]

You are right about the OPs intent. But I am not the OP.

God is great and He is faithfull. As you see I have not posted on the OP and was checked from doing so. Lord You are a Mighty God.

 

[guanophore]

I believe in God who is logical and I also want to be logical, so:
the CC cannot be equally good as protestant denomitions,
priesthood cannot be equally good as no priesthood,
bread and wine cannot be equally good as Body and Blood, etc.
Yes, we are right and protestants are wrong.

Leopolis, such a statement is not conducive to productive discussion. The NC religions forum is here to provide a venue for discussing differences in faith, comparing and contrasting. Entering a thread with this attitude pretty much foils the goal. Of course you believe these things or you would not be Catholic, however, the fact that others see things differently does not mean they are illogical. they do not start with the same premises you do, so they arrive at different conclusion.

 And if you want to be logical you have to believe that somebody is right and somebody else who believes in something different is wrong. And there's nothing wrong in being logical:)

No, I don’t. I do not think in black or white, and I recognize that many people may be looking at the Truth from different points of view. Obviously you are not familiar with the story of the three blind men and the elephant!

 I'm glad you are happy:) But Jesus never said: "blessed be the happy" or "happy ones will inherit the kingdom of God".  Jesus needs those who are obedient. Unfortunatelly you are not abedient, you are separated from the mistical Body of Christ - His Church, you disobey His vicar, you have no Eucharist, no confession and absolution. It means you are lukewarm. Sorry brother, but it's not what Jesus wants.

This statement is a blatant contradiction of the teaching of the Catholic Church. As correctly identified, it represents only your personal opinion, which seems to be somewhat uninformed and bigoted.

The Catholic Church teaches that all who are validly baptized are members of the mystical Body of Christ, and this includes both Lutherans and Anglicans. They also do practice Eucharistic Liturgy, and believe in the Real presence.

And finally, to judge that those who don’t have the fullness of Truth found in the Catholic Church are “lukewarm” is downright insulting. Would that the Catholics lining the pews had the zeal for their faith found among our separated brethren here!

On the contrary, brother, what you have done is not what Jesus wants, for those who are not against us are for us.

 

[guanophore]

We are told in Scripture to trust in God, or to trust in Christ. I’m not sure if you can give me Scripture proofs that you are called to trust and rely on the Catholic Church.

Of course we can! However, I do not want to hijack the thread, and I know from reading your posts what will happen.

If you want, we can do this on the other thread about whether there is any salvation outside the Catholic Church.

The Holy Bible is the Word of God which is closed to those without the Spirit of God.

Are you suggesting that those who do not understand scripture the way you do do not have the Spirit of God?

It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” - Jesus

YOu quote this,b ut your posts make clear that you leave out many of the words of God that don’;t seem to support your theology.