Why do non-Catholics go to Church?

[Rascal]

In reading some of these threads, I started wondering why non-Catholics go to Church. I also had a discussion with some friends who were not “satisfied” with their “church” or service because new ministers were hired and their style “doesn’t teach them anything.”

I attend Mass to receive the Eucharist. To hear the Word of God and and share in the community is a bonus. I don’t attend to listen to a homily.

Why else go to Mass/church? To learn what Jesus taught? With Sola Scriptura being discussed here, that doesn’t make sense. Everyone has the opportunity to make up what they want to believe. Why not just a make it weekly picnic? On Saturday for that matter.

I’m just curious what others think. Thank you.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Protestants go to church to learn about God, the teachings of Jesus (yes, it’s possible even with sola scriptura), have fellowship with other Christians, worship God, and be encouraged. Of course, some go because they have a facade to hold up to, but that’s not relevant.

 

[bengal_fan]

Juxtaposer:

Of course, some go because they have a facade to hold up to, but that’s not relevant.

these little potshots that some on these forums like to take at protestants need to end. this same thing can be said for catholics (and in america probably more so). i am a protestant minister in the process of converting and it was catholics who kept me from the church for so long. the dead faith i have seen in the catholic church is far more rampant here in america. worldwide, it is the catholic church that is living and vibrant but in america, far more catholics are keeping up the facade. let’s stop attacking our separated brethren. even if they attack us, they are our brothers and sisters and therefore worthy of better treatment than this.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

let’s stop attacking our separated brethren. even if they attack us, they are our brothers and sisters and therefore worthy of better treatment than this.

Hear Hear

 

[Juxtaposer]

bengal_fan:

these little potshots that some on these forums like to take at protestants need to end. this same thing can be said for catholics (and in america probably more so). i am a protestant minister in the process of converting and it was catholics who kept me from the church for so long. the dead faith i have seen in the catholic church is far more rampant here in america. worldwide, it is the catholic church that is living and vibrant but in america, far more catholics are keeping up the facade. let’s stop attacking our separated brethren. even if they attack us, they are our brothers and sisters and therefore worthy of better treatment than this.

I would say the same of of Catholics. I am not catholic, by the way.

 

[metal1633]

Juxtaposer:

Protestants go to church to learn about God, the teachings of Jesus (yes, it’s possible even with sola scriptura), have fellowship with other Christians, worship God, and be encouraged. Of course, some go because they have a facade to hold up to, but that’s not relevant.

And how can they Worship without Sacrifice? All Worship throughout the Bible was Sacrificial.

“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Where is their clean oblation? Their offering of Bread and Wine after the order of Melchizedek? They attack the Eucharist calling it a pagan abomination.

“And you have profaned it in that you say: The table of the Lord is defiled:”

They call thier favorite Contemporary Christian Pop Stars “Worship Leaders”.

There is no “Worship” of God going on in their churches. There is bibleolatry, idolatry of pop singers and the twisting of Gods Word by wolves in sheeps clothing.

Pray for the poor sheep who think bleating out their pop hymns in a sing along is the same as Worshiping God.

 

[bengal_fan]

Juxtaposer:

I would say the same of of Catholics. I am not catholic, by the way.

then say it of both or don’t say it at all. are you not catholic because you are not christian or because you are protestant?

 

[Juxtaposer]

metal1633:

And how can they Worship without Sacrifice? All Worship throughout the Bible was Sacrificial.

“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Where is their clean oblation? Their offering of Bread and Wine after the order of Melchizedek? They attack the Eucharist calling it a pagan abomination.

A Protestant would say that Christ was the final sacrifice.

 

[Juxtaposer]

bengal_fan:

then say it of both or don’t say it at all. are you not catholic because you are not christian or because you are protestant?

I’m not Catholic because I was raised Protestant. Right now I’m trying to figure out what the truth is.

 

[bengal_fan]

Juxtaposer:

A Protestant would say that Christ was the final sacrifice.

so would a catholic. the eucharist is a representing of the once for all sacrifice. just as a seder meal is a representing or re-living of the original passover.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

metal1633:

And how can they Worship without Sacrifice? All Worship throughout the Bible was Sacrificial.

“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Where is their clean oblation? Their offering of Bread and Wine after the order of Melchizedek? They attack the Eucharist calling it a pagan abomination.

“And you have profaned it in that you say: The table of the Lord is defiled:”

They call thier favorite Contemporary Christian Pop Stars “Worship Leaders”.

There is no “Worship” of God going on in their churches. There is bibleolatry, idolatry of pop singers and the twisting of Gods Word by wolves in sheeps clothing.

Pray for the poor sheep who think bleating out their pop hymns in a sing along is the same as Worshiping God.

I think Protestant services are lacking, as they don’t have the Eucharist, but let’s not go too far in that direction. By your logic, you aren’t worshipping God when you pray at home, or before meals, or say the rosary. The fact is that all acts of worship have at their very least the sacrifice of a person’s time spent in worship. Protestant services have the same.

 

[bengal_fan]

metal1633:

Where is their clean oblation? Their offering of Bread and Wine after the order of Melchizedek? They attack the Eucharist calling it a pagan abomination.
.

they do offer bread and wine, they just don’t hold that it is Jesus. they feel it is a symbol of Jesus.

 

[metal1633]

Juxtaposer:

A Protestant would say that Christ was the final sacrifice.

Christ is the final Sacrifice. Not WAS the final Sacrifice. IS. His Sacrifice is an eternally present event. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. So what would a protestant say is the clean oblation offered in sacrifice by the gentiles that the Prophet refered too??

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Juxtaposer:

Protestants go to church to learn about God, the teachings of Jesus (yes, it’s possible even with sola scriptura), have fellowship with other Christians, worship God, and be encouraged. Of course, some go because they have a facade to hold up to, but that’s not relevant.

The Fathers would not have understood the modern Catholic disdain for homilies - nor would most Catholics until very recently. In their emphasis on preaching and expounding the Word of God, Protestants are actually much more “Patristic”, and much more representative of Christian tradition, than some Catholics. We can learn from them. ##

 

[metal1633]

bengal_fan:

they do offer bread and wine, they just don’t hold that it is Jesus. they feel it is a symbol of Jesus.

I know there are protestant denominations who have a communion service every week and hold to similar views as the Church. I am refering to the modern, and very popular, low church protestants of the non-denominational variety. I attended one for 6 years and we had communion twice. Two times in 6 years. No sacrifical acpect at all. And therefore no Worship. The Eucharistic Celebration is the CENTER and FOCAL POINT of Christian Worship. Without it…The Sheep are not fed. The Sheep are not led to the Water of Life. They wander the fields of the Kingdom of God, lost and aimless, crying out their need.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

bengal_fan:

these little potshots that some on these forums like to take at protestants need to end. this same thing can be said for catholics (and in america probably more so). i am a protestant minister in the process of converting and it was catholics who kept me from the church for so long. the dead faith i have seen in the catholic church is far more rampant here in america. worldwide, it is the catholic church that is living and vibrant but in america, far more catholics are keeping up the facade. let’s stop attacking our separated brethren. even if they attack us, they are our brothers and sisters and therefore worthy of better treatment than this.

I’ll second that ​

Let’s share what we have in common - which is a very great deal - rather than endlessly ripping people’s experience of religion to pieces.

If people are argued out of (say) Protestantism, they may merely end up believing in nothing. Is that the purpose of Catholic attempts at conversion ? Surely not. It’s a very long time since Christians were best known for their mutual charity. ##

 

[metal1633]

Dr. Colossus:

I think Protestant services are lacking, as they don’t have the Eucharist, but let’s not go too far in that direction. By your logic, you aren’t worshipping God when you pray at home, or before meals, or say the rosary. The fact is that all acts of worship have at their very least the sacrifice of a person’s time spent in worship. Protestant services have the same.

The Eucharistic Celebration is the Center and Focal Point of Christian Worship. Without it… The Sheep are not Fed. The Sheep are not led to the Water of Life. They wander, lost and aimless in the Fields of the Kingdom of God, crying out their need.

 

[SPOKENWORD]

metal1633:

And how can they Worship without Sacrifice? All Worship throughout the Bible was Sacrificial.

“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Where is their clean oblation? Their offering of Bread and Wine after the order of Melchizedek? They attack the Eucharist calling it a pagan abomination.

“And you have profaned it in that you say: The table of the Lord is defiled:”

They call thier favorite Contemporary Christian Pop Stars “Worship Leaders”.

There is no “Worship” of God going on in their churches. There is bibleolatry, idolatry of pop singers and the twisting of Gods Word by wolves in sheeps clothing.

Pray for the poor sheep who think bleating out their pop hymns in a sing along is the same as Worshiping God.

Sounds like someone who is full of the Spirit. The question is which one?

 

[David_Brown]

Rascal:

In reading some of these threads, I started wondering why non-Catholics go to Church. I also had a discussion with some friends who were not “satisfied” with their “church” or service because new ministers were hired and their style “doesn’t teach them anything.”

I attend Mass to receive the Eucharist. To hear the Word of God and and share in the community is a bonus. I don’t attend to listen to a homily.

Why else go to Mass/church? To learn what Jesus taught? With Sola Scriptura being discussed here, that doesn’t make sense. Everyone has the opportunity to make up what they want to believe. Why not just a make it weekly picnic? On Saturday for that matter.

I’m just curious what others think. Thank you.

I agree. That is one of the reasons I converted. After so many years I had heard most of the sermons (I could often even tell what the pastor had read to get his message), I could read NT Greek better than most, knew more theology than most (or could get better theology from books and tapes), and I wasn’t learning anything. I stopped going for several years. The Real Presence is why I converted almost two years ago and why I go to Church now.

 

[JGC]

Rascal:

In reading some of these threads, I started wondering why non-Catholics go to Church. I also had a discussion with some friends who were not “satisfied” with their “church” or service because new ministers were hired and their style “doesn’t teach them anything.”

I attend Mass to receive the Eucharist. To hear the Word of God and and share in the community is a bonus. I don’t attend to listen to a homily.

Why else go to Mass/church? To learn what Jesus taught? With Sola Scriptura being discussed here, that doesn’t make sense. Everyone has the opportunity to make up what they want to believe. Why not just a make it weekly picnic? On Saturday for that matter.

I’m just curious what others think. Thank you.

Your question should be why do protestants go to church. The Orthodox and a large part of Anglicanism (more the Anglo Catholic end) go for the same reasons as us.