Why do Protestants get a "free pass" ?

[RiverRock]

I know this is a loaded question, so I’ll try to explain it as best as I can. I understand the story of the prodigal son, but something still bothers me. Feel free to haul me up short, if necessary. I’m a devoutly (as best as I can) believing Catholic, who is faithful to the Pope and Magesterium. There are some times that it’s tough to “stay in line” and stay out of sin. Why does it appear that when a Catholic crosses the line, even just once, we are on the fast-track to hell, but Protestants get a free pass? They can be always-saved-no-matter-what sins they commit, and still make it to Heaven, but once slip up from me, and it’s all over. Start the fires. In the vein of united all Christians as one, we give them far more wiggle room. Which brings me to my next question. I love the Church and I know it’s the true Church and I’ll never leave it. Ever. But, why remain Catholic? If (according to some Catholics) I’m a Jesus/Bible believing Christian, and I can still sin to beat the band, and STILL make it to Heaven, why wouldn’t I take the easier road? Have my cake and eat it too? Can anybody provide a satisfactory answer? In all that I’ve ever read, I’ve never seen one.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I don’t think of it as Protestants getting a “free pass”. I think you’re focused on how it appears from our limited, human point of view. It looks like somebody else has an easier deal. But we don’t know God’s point of view, although we do know that His ways are as far above ours as the heavens from the earth.

Doesn’t it look like the rich get a much easier life than the poor?
That whites get a better deal than blacks?
That men have had it better than women?

But weren’t we told that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Wasn’t the rich man happy on earth, but miserable in the afterlife, while the beggar Lazarus, on his death, was consoled in the bosom of Abraham?
Weren’t we told that "the first shall be last, and the last first?
Weren’t we told that in Christ there is no Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, rich nor poor, male nor female, but all are one?

Not that we shouldn’t strive for justice, peace, love and fellowship here on earth when we see others treated unfairly. . .

But, to close, remember the story of the man who went out to hire laborers for his vineyard? He went out at dawn, hired some men for the prevailing wage. Went out a couple hours later, hired more men. Went out at noon, hired more. Afternoon, hired more. Just before evening, hired more. At the end of the day, he started handing out the wages–and he gave the last hired the same wages as he did the first.

The first were outraged, thinking that they somehow deserved more than they had agreed to.

The man asked them why they got so upset. They were paid what they had agreed to–why were they so angry at a man who generously wished to spend his own money whatever way he saw fit?

 

[Bixbyg]

We, as Catholics, do get a free pass…it’s called reconcilliation…something the “free-pass” christians don’t have. They, in my humble opinion, are on a fast track to hell paved with good intentions. That is, they have a casual opinion of sin, “I sin all I want and then ask Jesus to forgive me!” But does he? What if you are not truly truly sorry when you ask for forgiveness…maybe he does maybe he doesn’t forgive you…However as a Catholic, when I sin, and I do because I am fallen, I aks the lord for forgiveness, but I also go to the Priest and as for forgiveness through the power given them by apostolic succession from Christ Himself. I can pray to Christ and be relatively hopeful that he has forgiven me and will help me avoid sinning again…but I am absolutly sure when the priest lays his hands upon me that Christ has forgiven me…and will continue to help me avoid sin.

I hope that helps!

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

RiverRock:

I know this is a loaded question, so I’ll try to explain it as best as I can. I understand the story of the prodigal son, but something still bothers me. Feel free to haul me up short, if necessary. I’m a devoutly (as best as I can) believing Catholic, who is faithful to the Pope and Magesterium. There are some times that it’s tough to “stay in line” and stay out of sin. Why does it appear that when a Catholic crosses the line, even just once, we are on the fast-track to hell, but Protestants get a free pass? They can be always-saved-no-matter-what sins they commit, and still make it to Heaven, but once slip up from me, and it’s all over. Start the fires. In the vein of united all Christians as one, we give them far more wiggle room. Which brings me to my next question. I love the Church and I know it’s the true Church and I’ll never leave it. Ever. But, why remain Catholic? If (according to some Catholics) I’m a Jesus/Bible believing Christian, and I can still sin to beat the band, and STILL make it to Heaven, why wouldn’t I take the easier road? Have my cake and eat it too? Can anybody provide a satisfactory answer? In all that I’ve ever read, I’ve never seen one.

To whom much is given, much is expected

 

[mercygate]

RiverRock:

Why does it appear that when a Catholic crosses the line, even just once, we are on the fast-track to hell, but Protestants get a free pass? They can be always-saved-no-matter-what sins they commit, and still make it to Heaven, but once slip up from me, and it’s all over.

That’s why we have Sacramental Confession.

But, why remain Catholic? If (according to some Catholics) I’m a Jesus/Bible believing Christian, and I can still sin to beat the band, and STILL make it to Heaven, why wouldn’t I take the easier road? Have my cake and eat it too? Can anybody provide a satisfactory answer? In all that I’ve ever read, I’ve never seen one.

The fact that some Protestants are selling “eternal security” doesn’t make it so.

Buck up! The Catholic position is sensible and workable. I’ll pray for ya!

 

[e-catholic]

We don’t really know if they get a free pass, the church teaches that it is not impossible for them to go to heaven. Beyond that we do not know what happens to them, but what we do know is the truth of the Church.

As far as sin goes, sin separates us from God, it is an obstacle in the journey toward holiness, toward Christ-likeness. I don’t think that this is different for anyone else, sin has consequences, and when we don’t genuinely attempt to do what God asks of us we move farther from him. We are called to be sinless, and when we work toward that goal we are that much closer to God. Life is a journey toward holiness, toward the ultimate goal of heaven. Although Protestants believe that they are not required to repent doesn’t change the consequences of sinning constantly without sorrow. This isn’t true of many protestants, there are many who believe in some type of confession or penance, usually a direct confession to God. God is the judge of that, not us, we must be concerned with ourselves, and with spreading the truth to others.

Inculpable ignorance, does not change the fact that a relatinship with God is not all that it could be. As Catholics we are very lucky to know what Christ taught in this regard. Penance gives us a much richer journey toward holiness. Protestants are still culpable for their sins, if they sin intentionally, just as Catholics are. A continueance to sin without penance shows an indifference to God, and all will be judged accordingly.

 

[wabrams]

When a Protestant askes for forgiveness, we have to mean it and try our best not to do it. I don’t believe in this “being saved” notion, saying the sinners prayer, then getting a permanent free ride. We are always going to slip up, but if we truly want to be forgiven, then we have to ask God for it.

 

[Curious]

What a strange question. Not all Protestants believe once saved always saved you know. I happen to know many that believe if hit your thumb with a hammer, cuss, and then drop dead, you’ll split hell wide open.

 

[mercygate]

Curious:

What a strange question. Not all Protestants believe once saved always saved you know. I happen to know many that believe if hit your thumb with a hammer, cuss, and then drop dead, you’ll split hell wide open.

Indeed. Eternal security is an artefact of a peculiarly Calivinist theological line of thought and is by no means shared by all Protestants.

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

Curious:

What a strange question. Not all Protestants believe once saved always saved you know. I happen to know many that believe if hit your thumb with a hammer, cuss, and then drop dead, you’ll split hell wide open.

Yeh,I was Church of Christ before I was called to the Catholic Church and I guaruanteeee that according to them unless you either die an infant or lock yourself up,God Is waiting to throttle you to hell.God Bless

 

[4_marks]

RiverRock:

I know this is a loaded question, so I’ll try to explain it as best as I can. I understand the story of the prodigal son, but something still bothers me. Feel free to haul me up short, if necessary. I’m a devoutly (as best as I can) believing Catholic, who is faithful to the Pope and Magesterium. There are some times that it’s tough to “stay in line” and stay out of sin. Why does it appear that when a Catholic crosses the line, even just once, we are on the fast-track to hell, but Protestants get a free pass? They can be always-saved-no-matter-what sins they commit, and still make it to Heaven, but once slip up from me, and it’s all over. Start the fires. In the vein of united all Christians as one, we give them far more wiggle room. Which brings me to my next question. I love the Church and I know it’s the true Church and I’ll never leave it. Ever. But, why remain Catholic? If (according to some Catholics) I’m a Jesus/Bible believing Christian, and I can still sin to beat the band, and STILL make it to Heaven, why wouldn’t I take the easier road? Have my cake and eat it too? Can anybody provide a satisfactory answer? In all that I’ve ever read, I’ve never seen one.

Simple. Do what you want to do, and make sure you carry an “in case of emergency, please call a priest” card. That way, if something happens, a priest will be called, give you last rights before you die, and you’ll make it straight to heaven. In other words, you’ll get a free pass.

I don’t think it is wise to approach one’s spiritual life with the view, “How can I sin to beat the band and still go to heaven?” A much more reasonable attitude is, “How can I walk in obedience to God and bless Him with gratefulness for His many gifts to me while I am alive?”

 

[mercygate]

Yeh,I was Church of Christ before I was called to the Catholic Church and I guaruanteeee that according to them unless you either die an infant or lock yourself up,God Is waiting to throttle you to hell.God Bless

Yeah, but since Hell is going to be entirely filled up with us Catholics, there won’t be any room for the CoC’s!

 

[MaggieOH]

:crying:

Curious:

What a strange question. Not all Protestants believe once saved always saved you know. I happen to know many that believe if hit your thumb with a hammer, cuss, and then drop dead, you’ll split hell wide open.

:crying: It is a good thing in that case that I am Catholic and know that the Lord will look at all of the things that I have done and not rely upon one word to damn me to hell.

Oh yeah I forgot, in some circles it is ok to use the name of the Lord in vain, but don’t use the name “hell” in vain because then you are going to hell …

MaggieOH

 

[Church_Militant]

RiverRock,
I know what you mean…http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/lol9.gif A buddy and I have dubbed Protestantism “Christainity Lite” because it sounds so much more easy to get by. The fact is that the real NT Christianity is Catholic through and through. It was in the early church and is today. There are two things that I would point out:

1. Real Christainity is far more complex than the average joe on the street really understands, and most folks just don’t think about it.
2. Real Christianity is like a huge, beautiful diamond that we grow in grace as we explore it in our daily lives.

BTW, there is no free pass…it just sounds that way. Check this out:
Matthew 25: 31 And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 32 And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.
Pax vobiscum,

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

mercygate:

Yeah, but since Hell is going to be entirely filled up with us Catholics, there won’t be any room for the CoC’s!

No doubt Here’s a joke ;A man died and went to Heaven,St.Peter took him on a grand tour,he saw beautiful sights,heard the angels singing,and they kept walking and talking about the site and souds and there was a big enclosed area and St.Peter told the man stay away from the window and be very quiet when we walk by.Curious the man asked St. Peter why,he responded the Church of Christ will hear you and they think there the only ones here.God Bless

 

[Church_Militant]

RiverRock,
I know what you mean…http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/lol9.gif A buddy and I have dubbed Protestantism “Christainity Lite” because it sounds so much more easy to get by. The fact is that the real NT Christianity is Catholic through and through. It was in the early church and is today. There are two things that I would point out:

1. Real Christainity is far more complex than the average joe on the street really understands, and most folks just don’t think about it.
2. Real Christianity is like a huge, beautiful diamond that we grow in grace as we explore it in our daily lives.

BTW, there is no free pass…it just sounds that way. Check this out:
Matthew 25: 31-46

And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 32 And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

Pax vobiscum,

 

[Mickey]

RiverRock:

but one slip up from me, and it’s all over. Start the fires.

Dear RiverRock,

Be careful not to be scrupulous. That can be dangerous. You must remember that God is all merciful. If you sin, receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Then leave those sins in the past–you are forgiven! Try to “go and sin no more”. But when you do sin again, God is there to forgive you. Our human nature is sinful–that’s why God’s infinite mercy is such a beautiful gift.

 

[RiverRock]

Mickey:

Dear RiverRock,

Be careful not to be scrupulous. That can be dangerous. You must remember that God is all merciful. If you sin, receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Then leave those sins in the past–you are forgiven! Try to “go and sin no more”. But when you do sin again, God is there to forgive you. Our human nature is sinful–that’s why God’s infinite mercy is such a beautiful gift.

Beautifully said, Thank You!

 

[Contarini]

RiverRock:

I know this is a loaded question, so I’ll try to explain it as best as I can. I understand the story of the prodigal son, but something still bothers me. Feel free to haul me up short, if necessary. I’m a devoutly (as best as I can) believing Catholic, who is faithful to the Pope and Magesterium. There are some times that it’s tough to “stay in line” and stay out of sin. Why does it appear that when a Catholic crosses the line, even just once, we are on the fast-track to hell, but Protestants get a free pass? They can be always-saved-no-matter-what sins they commit, and still make it to Heaven, but once slip up from me, and it’s all over. Start the fires. In the vein of united all Christians as one, we give them far more wiggle room. Which brings me to my next question. I love the Church and I know it’s the true Church and I’ll never leave it. Ever. But, why remain Catholic? If (according to some Catholics) I’m a Jesus/Bible believing Christian, and I can still sin to beat the band, and STILL make it to Heaven, why wouldn’t I take the easier road? Have my cake and eat it too? Can anybody provide a satisfactory answer? In all that I’ve ever read, I’ve never seen one.

I don’t see that your premise has any connection to reality. Who says that Protestants or anyone else can “sin to beat the band” and still make it to heaven? A few Protestants believe this (most Protestant traditions teach no such thing, any more than Catholics believe that you can go to confession and be forgiven w/ithout really repenting), but they are wrong. Clearly, flatly wrong. End of discussion. Repentance and faith are necessary for anyone to be saved, and saving faith is faith that works through love. The vast majority of Protestants believe this, all Catholics believe this, and it’s clearly the teaching of Scripture. So you’re facing an imaginary difficulty.

Furthermore, why would you want the easy road? Don’t you want to know and love God? Isn’t that what heaven is about? Why are you even asking what the “minimum requirements” are? To whom much is given, from the same much will be required. You can call it unfair, or you can call it a high privilege and responsibility.

In Christ,

Edwin

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

RiverRock:

I know this is a loaded question, so I’ll try to explain it as best as I can. I understand the story of the prodigal son, but something still bothers me. Feel free to haul me up short, if necessary. I’m a devoutly (as best as I can) believing Catholic, who is faithful to the Pope and Magesterium. There are some times that it’s tough to “stay in line” and stay out of sin. Why does it appear that when a Catholic crosses the line, even just once, we are on the fast-track to hell, but Protestants get a free pass? They can be always-saved-no-matter-what sins they commit, and still make it to Heaven, but once slip up from me, and it’s all over. Start the fires. In the vein of united all Christians as one, we give them far more wiggle room. Which brings me to my next question. I love the Church and I know it’s the true Church and I’ll never leave it. Ever. But, why remain Catholic? If (according to some Catholics) I’m a Jesus/Bible believing Christian, and I can still sin to beat the band, and STILL make it to Heaven, why wouldn’t I take the easier road? Have my cake and eat it too? Can anybody provide a satisfactory answer? In all that I’ve ever read, I’ve never seen one.

Hi RiverRock!

Keep in mind that one can sincerely believe something to be true yet be sincerely wrong. What it was all boils down to in the end, be one Catholic, Protestant or whatever, is grace. At the moment of your death do you have God’s supernatural life dwelling in your soul? You do? You’ll go to heaven. This is true for everyone, whether one believes it or not. So while some may appear to have a free pass as you call it, the only free pass is grace. The pass is the same for everyone. As Catholics we have access to every single channel of grace that God has made available. Our protestant brothers and sisters do not. You, as a Catholic, are actually the one with the free pass!!

In Christ,
Nancy