Why do non-Catholics go to Church?

[Juxtaposer]

JGC:

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.

Maybe we’re getting the idea of the synagogue and temple messed up. Protestants go to the synagogue, Catholics go to both. One question, though. Why must there be continual sacrifices? Why can’t what Jesus did on the cross be enough to cover all?

 

[metal1633]

Juxtaposer:

Maybe we’re getting the idea of the synagogue and temple messed up. Protestants go to the synagogue, Catholics go to both. One question, though. Why must there be continual sacrifices? Why can’t what Jesus did on the cross be enough to cover all?

Not continual sacrifices (plural) but rather say a Perpetual Sacrifice (singular) The Lord commanded a Perpetual Sacrifice for Sin. Our Lords Sacrifice fullfils the OT requirement for a Perpetual Sacrifice. He is a Preist FOREVER after the Order of Melchizedek. He perpetually offers His ONE Sacrifice, The Same Sacrifice of the Cross. The Same Sacrifice of the Lords Supper, the Eucharist. He is the Lamb slain from the foundations of the world. His Sacrifice is Eternal not temporal. WHY A Priest of the Order of Melchizedek?? Melchizedek offered Bread and Wine. The Clean Oblation offered by the Church which the Prophet Malachi spoke of. When you partake of the Eucharist, you partake of the very same Sacrifice. Not a differant one or even another of the same kind but the very same one. We are ONE Baody and Partake of ONE Loaf which is the Body of Christ. Christ Broke the Bread and handed it to His Disciples. He is STILL handing the SAME to His Disciples. From Jesus to Peter and John and the Others to us.

 

[jmm08]

Rascal:

I started wondering why non-Catholics go to Church.

I go to a predominantly Black Baptist Church. And I’m starting RCIA / RCIC soon.

Reasons to go to Church (as a non-Catholic)
a) To worship God
b) To hear the word of God read.
c) The Sunday worship service – although usually no communion
d) The time for prayer during the service
e) The singing. You should hear our men’s choir (more than 20 members in it). I think we have 5 to 7 different choirs. Our men’s choir is easily the best I’ve heard. Some of the soloists have professional quality voices. And to sing the hymns.

In February, I love to sing “The Negro National Anthem” and we sing it every Sunday in February.

Please see this link africanamericans.com/NegroNationalAnthem.htm
and read the words. They are very, very spiritual words.

“Life Every Voice and Sing” has words that the Israelites coming back from exile could easily have found comfort in. Instead, these words rang very true for Blacks in 1899 when it was written.

If you are in a Roman Catholic Church (with many Black members), I think it would be very wise to have the congregation sing it at least once. And if you don’t have man Black members, it would also be a good idea.

f) The preaching. Sometimes it is very good.
g) Bringing the kids. Want them to be brought up the right way.
h) Friends. To be with our close friends in Church.
i) Sunday School. Sunday School classes (again very much for the kids, and there is also an adult class at the same time)
j) The anouncements.
See who is visiting.
Hear guest speakers (sometimes they speak only briefly).

 

[chimakuni]

jmm08 - have you read Alex Jones’ testimony? Your description of why non Catholics go to church is most beautiful.

I think what we are missing is that Catholics go to Mass - the Sacrifice of the Mass and non-Catholics go to church. Church is a place to worship, to come together with those who are like minded to worship the Lord. As one of the earlier posters said, one can worship God in prayers outside of the Mass, and a Protestant Church is one example.

Jmm08 - sometimes the singing gets to be the focal point of the worship service and I hear Protestants talking about the singing as though that was the reason they went to church. As a Catholic, the Eucharist is why I go to Mass.

I have heard some pastors/ministers (what is the difference?) say that they preached on the same texts quite often. They felt comfortable in an area of the bible and worked their sermons around them. Marcus Grodi of the Journey Home has made that statement several times on the Journey Home.

Bengal Fan - Jmm08, Juxtaposer and all others who are Protestant and looking into becoming Catholic - come on in - the water across the Tiber is fine!

 

[amarkich]

Just to note, since the topic was brought up earlier in the thread, the Catechism of the Council of Trent (infallible because its authority is derived from the Ecumenical Council of Trent) states absolutely the Church’s teaching on worship and the Church:

“Another figure presents itself in the great city of Jerusalem, which, in Scripture, often means the Church. In Jerusalem only was it lawful to offer sacrifice to God, and in the Church of God only are to be found the** true worship and true sacrifice which can at all be acceptable to God**.” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, Article IX of the Creed, Figures of the Church)

This says enough of our separated “brothers” whose prayers are not acceptable to God and are in fact blasphemies to God (according to many Saints; I do not know if this is taught De Fide, though, the way that the above is).

 

[amarkich]

As I illustrated above, the “beauty” of the protestants’ prayers (just like the “beauty” of the prayers of the buddhist “monks”) does not somehow make the prayers acceptable to God. Only in the Catholic Church are prayers acceptable to God; the rest are blasphemy.

 

[batteddy]

I too have asked to myself that same question many times in the past. Why do Protestants even bother going to Church? There is no Sacrament. No Power Confected. No Real Presence. No Sacrafice.

They give answers like “to be with friends”, “to hear the word of God”, “to hear a sermon”, “to hear music”, “to pray and worship”, “to keep holy the sabbath day”

Okay…those are acceptable answers to the question “why do you go to church” I’ll admit…

The question it DOESN’T answer…the question maybe we Should be asking instead is: “What makes going to church SPECIAL for a Protestant”…

This is what I’ve never understood. I can see why they would go…but I don’t see what is UNIQUE about going for a protestant.

I mean, you can meet and pray and read the Bible with friends in your house…and discuss it and maybe sing together or put on a CD of music. All their answers aren’t Unique and Special to church, and are merely Externals that are being described.

There seems to me to be no reason why church is Special for protestants, even though there are reasons to go, because all those things are mere Externals that can be done somewhere and sometime else…

But for Catholics, we can only be present at the moment of Transubstantiation and the Sacrafice by going to Mass…and usually its only when we recieve the Eucharist…

To me…Protestant services are just a whole level lower than the Mass…we have “protestant” services in the Church…we call them “Prayer Services”…but they certainly aren’t the Mass…and they are certainly aren’t the things we are obliged to go to…or things most people go to…

 

[Little_Mary]

Regarding the post I just read about there being nothing"special" about protestants going to church: That may be so because they do not have the eucharist. Maybe many protestants find going to their own church “special” because of the fellowship and the time spent thinking about God. Many of them, I think, do not realize that there is much more offered by the Catholic Church, so, how can they miss it?

I like to compare protestant vs. Catholic worship to a young child playing at a toy kitchen. I’ve used this example before. Her parents smile at her because she is imitating them, but she really isn’t cooking, just pretending. Just like those parents, God smiles down on protestant worship services - He smiles because He knows they love Him - but He knows they could be doing more if they’d only learn. I can hear Him saying “That was nice kids, but now it’s time for Mass!”

 

[Juxtaposer]

amarkich:

As I illustrated above, the “beauty” of the protestants’ prayers (just like the “beauty” of the prayers of the buddhist “monks”) does not somehow make the prayers acceptable to God. Only in the Catholic Church are prayers acceptable to God; the rest are blasphemy.

You sure about that?

If you are claiming that the reason for this is that the Catholic Church is the true Church, then I think that Protestant prayer and sacrifice is just as acceptable to God. Check out Malachi 1:11;

“But from farthest East to farthest West My name is great among the nations, and everywhere incense and a pure gift are offered to my name, since my name is great among the nations, says Yahweh Sabaoth.”

This leads me to believe that God accepts all prayer that is directed to Him. How could an all merciful God refuse His people; even if their theology is wrong?

 

[Little_Mary]

To Rascal, regarding your original post: Did you mean that why do many protestants go to church when they claim that all you need is to say a prayer to the Holy Spirit before you read the Bible and then you will be guided in your interpretation (Sola Scriptura - or at least one of the points of SS - someone correct me if not accurate)

In other words, why not just meet in the church at 10:45 AM on Sunday morning, read a passage of scripture , and then have a moment of silence while everyone works out their own interpretation?

If you are saying it is pointless to go because there is no Real Presence, you are right, but many do not miss this because they have not been taught the Truth. However, I think it may be pointless to go at any rate if all you are going to do is interpret scripture any way you please. Although I will admit that fellowship and music aren’t bad things, they just don’t complete things.

 

[metal1633]

Juxtaposer:

You sure about that?

If you are claiming that the reason for this is that the Catholic Church is the true Church, then I think that Protestant prayer and sacrifice is just as acceptable to God. Check out Malachi 1:11;

“But from farthest East to farthest West My name is great among the nations, and everywhere incense and a pure gift are offered to my name, since my name is great among the nations, says Yahweh Sabaoth.”

This leads me to believe that God accepts all prayer that is directed to Him. How could an all merciful God refuse His people; even if their theology is wrong?

That passage is about the Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[Little_Mary]

Juxtaposer:

You sure about that?

If you are claiming that the reason for this is that the Catholic Church is the true Church, then I think that Protestant prayer and sacrifice is just as acceptable to God. Check out Malachi 1:11;

“But from farthest East to farthest West My name is great among the nations, and everywhere incense and a pure gift are offered to my name, since my name is great among the nations, says Yahweh Sabaoth.”

This leads me to believe that God accepts all prayer that is directed to Him. How could an all merciful God refuse His people; even if their theology is wrong?

From farthest East to farthest West a Catholic Mass is being said every hour on the hour in all nations, languages, and time zones.

I think God smiles on all prayers, even outside of the Catholic Church, just as those parents smile at how cute their daughter is at her toy kitchen. It’s not a bad thing, just not a complete thing (like some theologies). Some pray-ers are ignorant to the fullness of Christianity that the Catholic Church offers and I don’t think God would refuse because of ignorance. I don’t know about those who are aware of this fullness and choose to ignore all or part of it because it does not fit in with their custom belief system. Unlike your local policeman, ignorance of the law just may get you off on a lesser charge here However,that is my opinion and I do not want to come off as judgmental and in the end it is between each individual and God Himself. I’m sure He’s not going to consult me.

 

[John_Higgins]

amarkich:

Catechism of the Council of Trent (infallible because its authority is derived from the Ecumenical Council of Trent)

Two reasons why this is simply wrong: Infallibility doesn’t work like that (read Pastor Aeternae and Lumen Gentium) , the second is from the Holy Father in the prefrace to the CCC:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved 25 June last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion.

In essence, he says “THIS is the Catechism!”

He’s right.

John

 

[John_Higgins]

amarkich:

Only in the Catholic Church are prayers acceptable to God; the rest are blasphemy.

I’m checking the Catechism and Canon Law, that might just be heretical. It is at best non-Christian.

I feel somehow diminished being on a forum where someone could claim this.

John

 

[Juxtaposer]

metal1633:

That passage is about the Sacrifice of the Mass.

This was written before the Mass existed.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

metal1633,
The Church’s theology of the Mass states that we are fed from TWO tables - first from the table of the Word, then from the table of the Eucharist. This does not mean the feeding is identical in nature, but we are nevertheless fed by hearing the Scriptures and (in theory, perhaps not in practice) having them expounded by the Church in a homily.

I would still challenge an adherent of sola scriptura, though, to justify the pastor’s role as teacher when, if one were to intellectually honestly and consistently hold to sola scriptura his acting in that capacity should be at most a time saver (to talk about passages the congregation has not yet had time to read and be enlightened by the Holy Spirit about).

 

[JGC]

John Higgins:

I’m checking the Catechism and Canon Law, that might just be heretical. It is at best non-Christian.

I feel somehow diminished being on a forum where someone could claim this.

John

**I’ve picked up amarkich for this sort of stuff before on another thread. His or her footer really says it all about his or her agenda. Its pretty uncharitable:tsktsk: **

 

[jimmy]

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 don’t think he was attacking protestants. He was just saying that some go for the wrong reasons.

 

[copland]

Rascal,

You bring up a very important point! This is an issue that I have been dealing with. I have been in a Protestant church for about 10 years, and I have been very involved in the past with it. But my heart is with the Catholic Church and hope to convert as soon as possible.

That being said, let me explain my experience as a former Southern Baptist. What most of them consider worship is based on a few different things. They believe that God is in the service if a few different things happen in a service. If the music is good, if everyone is enjoying it, and if the sermon is good then that is a good indication that God was in the service. God being in the service is totally spiritual and based upon feelings. And in pentecostal services I understand that if everyone gets into a big frenzy and alot of people are freaking out and jumping and running around making alot of sounds/toungues then that is their idea of God being in the service.

This is a big reason why I am attracted to the Catholic Church because Jesus is in the place literally in the Holy Eucharist. I have always tended to take the Bible literally, so the Catholic teaching about the real presence is not hard for me to grasp, especially if you consider that the Bible says it literally and that the Church has taught it the last 2000 years. This is just one of the many things that I found when I began reading the Church Fathers when I started exploring the Catholic Church.

 

[Faithful_2_Rome]

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.

PERFECT Analogy!