Why do non-Catholics go to Church?

[Annunciata]

I can give you an honest answer as a former Baptist…
Non-Catholics go to church for the same reason as hopefully most Catholics do, because they love God. The only thing wrong with this is that they don’t know that they don’t have the Fullness of the Faith…Sooo lets keep praying…prayers helped bring me into the Faith…

 

[Mijoy2]

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.

Bengal_fan, thank you for this, well stated.

I’d like to add it was a great many of the “teachings” of some protestant ministers along with thier deep devoted love for Jesus, that was instrumental in my returning to the faith. I’ll be forever grateful to many of them.

As for my two cents as to the original post. Jesus said, whereever two or more are together to worship Him He will be present (please excuse my paraphrase). I think protestants gather to celebrate and worship Christ because they believe this is what Jesus wishes.

 

[Rascal]

Thank you for most of the replys. Annunciata and Mijoy2 have made a good point.

I guessed most people like to attend church for the singing, lecturing/praising, and community. I see that some mentioned that. I think that’s fine, but I just wondered why do that at church? That can be done anywhere. I enjoy concerts, community, etc., but not always in church. Is that just as spiritual?

Someone mentioned if you’re happy, you are in the presence of God. I know it was not intended as such, but I can think of many sinful ways of feeling happy and I doubt God would be there, except hopefully in a comforting/guiding way.

Thank you.

 

[jpusateri]

**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: **

I feel somehow nervous that I cannot exercise my right of freedom of speech because quoting from a Church Council will get me a :tsktsk: .

So, by that logic, is telling someone to exit from a burning building, when it is unbeknownst to that person, a violation of charity because I am so SURE that I am right? That I made them uncomfortable? Am I arrogant because I am the one who KNOWS?

We don’t have that luxury. The truth must be told to save that person. And, yes I know, the truth must be told in love. But sometimes the message is HARD no matter how much love is put in, only the hardness of the message is heard. We Catholics KNOW. We were told by someone to get out! How can we stand by and watch?

It sounds like you may not have a problem with amarkich, but with the Catholic Church.

 

[jpusateri]

Rascal:

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 have small children. Going to church is a hassle. The kids squirm, talk and have to go to the bathroom. It’s hard to pay attention. Other people turn around and look (sometimes even smile )

I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

I don’t go to church in order to “get something out of it.” Along with all the other reasons given here, even on days when I can’t give my full attention, I know that just being there may encourage other people who are wavering in their faith. Just being there may help SOMEONE who sees my example and decides that if THAT guy can come week after week, then how can I not?

 

[metal1633]

Juxtaposer:

This was written before the Mass existed.

Thats why Malachi is called a Prophet. Our Lord is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Therefore the Divine Liturgy has always existed. The Earthly Liturgy is a participation in the Heavenly one.

 

[metal1633]

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).

Being fed by sola-Scriptura is equal too learning from a text book without a teacher. The Lord gave us an Inspired and Inerrant book (the bible) and an Infallible and Authoritative Teacher (the Spirit guided Church).

 

[JGC]

jpusateri:

I feel somehow nervous that I cannot exercise my right of freedom of speech because quoting from a Church Council will get me a :tsktsk: .
It sounds like you may not have a problem with amarkich, but with the Catholic Church.

Not because of the quote at all. Its because of stuff like this

The fact is bad enough that the Church no longer offers the unaltered Holy Week, for even in the 1962 Missal “perfidious” was removed as describing the Jews in favor of “ecumenical vocabulary.” In addition to this, a genuflection was made when praying which had not been done previously for the perfidious Jews (“Oremus et pro perfidis Judaeis”). In the name of “ecumenical dialouge” we dishonor Our Lord Who was slain on Good Friday, abandoned by those who were “once [His] chosen people” c.f., Quas primas, Pope Pius XI. Or was that whole tradition of the Church a worthless, hate crime? The fruits of “ecumenical diction” have been seen in the forms of heresy, indifference and loss of faith among the People of God, i.e., Catholics. It is a shame that we abandon the proclamation of truth and the just condemnation of those who broke their Covenant with Almighty God in order to please the very people who have committed this horrible act against God.

(post by amarkinch)

Find the whole story in the Catholic Encyclopedia thread.

The footer simply illustrates a position (clear from his other posts) that if you are not a visible member of the Catholic Church then you are not saved. Which is not Catholic teaching.

As an ex protestant I would say I have more dialogue with protestants than the average cradle catholic. My life to explain the faith is made much more difficult by uncharitable Catholics whose line is ‘join the Catholic Church or perish’ or ‘You are not Catholic therefore not a Christian.’ That’s what annoys me and results in :tsktsk: , not simply quoting a council. Oh, and these attitudes delayed my entry to the Church significantly. I’m sure it has stopped others completely. Is that what you want?

 

[John_Higgins]

I’d give you rep points, JGC, if they were still here:

http://www.neiu.edu/~jjhiggin/reputation_pos.gif

My wife came to the Catholic Church from the Southern Baptists via the Methodists so I am sensistive to stuff like this. Her late father, a SoBapt minister, understood the Catholic Church better than some here.

John

 

[MariaG]

posted by JGC:As an ex protestant I would say I have more dialogue with protestants than the average cradle catholic. My life to explain the faith is made much more difficult by uncharitable Catholics whose line is ‘join the Catholic Church or perish’ or 'You are not Catholic therefore not a Christian.' That’s what annoys me and results in :tsktsk: , not simply quoting a council. Oh, and these attitudes delayed my entry to the Church significantly. I’m sure it has stopped others completely. Is that what you want?

Ah JC,
I am crying as I write this. What you said is so true. I have avoided this thread because the title was so hurtful. The Catholic church has declared that Protestants through no fault of their own are our brothers and sisters in Christ. To deny that is to deny the authority of the Church. Which for a Catholic, is to deny Christ.

Why did I go to protestant churches? Because God was calling me. Why not a Catholic church? Because bigoted Catholics had soured me on it. I was eventually able to overcome it and stop blaming Christ’s church for the actions of people in the church, but I grieve for the years I was separated from the Real presence of my Lord. As a Catholic Christian we should not do anything to make our weaker brothers and sisters in Christ stumble and fall. You will answer to God for each and everyone who has been kept from the fullness of His truth due to your uncharitable words. I am still crying. Why must Catholic lash out at My Body, the Body of Christ?

 

[bengal_fan]

metal1633:

No sacrifical aspect at all. And therefore no Worship. .

Rom. 12:1 “Therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship.”

i am not downplaying the eucharist, but we can have worship without it. whenever we offer ourselves to the Lord it is worship and you do this in most protestant services. just giving of yourself to be there is a small form of worship.

 

[kage_ar]

Little Mary:

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!”

Wow! This brought a tear to my eye. Thank you. May I print that out to share with my son?

 

[mayra_hart]

i guess that no matter your belief everybody knows there own reasons to go to church. as for me iam catholic an i wasn’t attending mass. now because of a bible study that iam taking with baptist i found god again an now iam back to catholic mass. iam attending with my three year old an we seat in the back but for me even do sometimes the sermon is hard to heard i don’t mine. i guess i feel a sense of tranquility and peace. so i can talk to god an the virgin an ask them to help me accomplish the things i have to do during the week. them after i take the eucharistic i feel that iam taking the body of christ, an for me is like a shield that is always with me. god bless you all

 

[jpusateri]

MariaG:

Ah JC,
I am crying as I write this. What you said is so true. I have avoided this thread because the title was so hurtful. The Catholic church has declared that Protestants through no fault of their own are our brothers and sisters in Christ. To deny that is to deny the authority of the Church. Which for a Catholic, is to deny Christ.

This subtopic has seemed to touch a nerve for more than one person. I am interested. Is the name of this Thread hurtful? To whom? Protestants? Why?

Do I understand correctly that there really isn’t any urgency to the call for Protestants to become Catholic? That’s what I am hearing when people talk about Protestants being brothers but not having the fullness. It would be okay to join the Catholic church, but you can be saved that way too. I have heard the Catholic church quoted on both sides of this issue in different Threads. Both EENS and that we are all Christian brothers.

Also, is it then off-putting for someone to ask what the point is for a Protestant to go to church? Again, is it just the arrogance of WAY the question is asked? Or the question itself?

Please help me understand. Thank you!

 

[John_Higgins]

I was offended at the topic title too, and I’m a cradle Catholic. But my wife, a convert and I were discussing what I think this topic was supposed to be the other day. She said in her Methodist and SoBaptist days her reason to go to church on Sundays was different from what it is now.

Apparently many read this to be the topic starter:

** Why do non-Catholics (even bother to) go to Church?**

What I think Rascal might have meant was:

** What do non-Catholics go to Church for since they don’t have the Eucharist?**

In any case, I don’t THINK offense was intended.

John

 

[hermit]

Why do Lemmings run off cliffs?

 

[MariaG]

posted by** jpusateri**

Do I understand correctly that there really isn’t any urgency to the call for Protestants to become Catholic? That’s what I am hearing when people talk about Protestants being brothers but not having the fullness. It would be okay to join the Catholic church, but you can be saved that way too.

No, there is an urgency and desire to bring Protestants home to the Catholic Church. Not having the fullness of truth puts them in jepardy. (Okay I know Jeopardy? is wrong but I can’t find my dictionary.)

But that does not mean they are not brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only the way the question was asked but the implication that the Protestant Faith is useless for a person’s salvation is what is hurtful. When Protestant, I would agree with your wife, I went to church for a different reason. I went for fellowship. Also, let us not forget, when two or more are gathered in My name… We went to be with God. Why bother to go and be with God? And I would say I went to worship God. I did not truly understand what worship was, but God still accepted my incomplete worship because THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN I did not know any different.

The implication and assumption that the Protestant faith is empty is what is hurtful. That is what the title, the beginning post and many posts afterwards have said and implied. Why bother if you are not Catholic? People have taken the honest and heartfelt faith in God and tried to say it means nothing. That is simply not true. It is more than not true, it is hurtful and pushes away those who are seeking for the truth. Many people here on the board have told people repeatedly that one of the biggest reasons for taking so long to come to the Catholic faith is the lack of Christ’s love seen in the people in the Catholic church. I may have found the fullness of Christ in the Catholic church, but I found God in a Protestant one first.

I truly hope this helps.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[jpusateri]

MariaG,

Thanks for the explanation. I understand better, though I perhaps think we are all too sensitive!

 

[Exporter]

METAL 1633 , HAS ANSWERED AS A TRUE CATHOLIC!

HIS POST IS WAY BACK NEAR THE TOP, 8 TO 10 POSTS FROM THE TOP.

I go to Mass for the Eucharist, and to silently worship the Trinity through Jesus Christ.

All the singing, window dressing and cute homilies can be cut as far as I am concerned!!! IT IS THE MASS FOR GOODNESS SAKES !

 

[Curious]

I understand the importance of the Eucharist to Catholics so I guess I can kind of understand this question.

What struck a nerve for me in these posts is Protestants being compared to foolish little children that just like to pretend, so God smiles and tolerates them. Give me a break.