Why do so many protestants not consider church attendance an important part of their faith?

[KathleenGee]

Well, as I see no response from those regarding St. Justin and the early Mass, as well as the teaching by a bishop who lived in the 300’s I will add one more piece.

Today is St. Catherine of Siena’s feast day. She was born in 1347, and was the twenty-fourth of twenty five children! She was 7 years old when she vowed her virginity to God, she cut her hair at 15 in defiance to marry, and at 18, she became a Dominican tertiary and wore the habit. She had spiritual directors and followers, and her mysticism allowed her to speak extemporaneously of the inspirations the Lord was actively giving her, and her friends recorded them.

She wrote ‘The Dialogues’, spoke of the walk in perfection, attaining union with God, speaking of the trials we must face in overcoming ourselves so Christ can live deeply within us. She wrote a chapter called, ‘The Mystic Body of Holy Church’, and it was on behalf of the priesthood, the ministers of ‘holy church’.

The language here imitates the same thought as St. Hilary written a 1,000 years before…the Lord speaks as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in one. …‘So, as I told you, I, God, became a man and humanity became God through the union of my divine nature with your human nature.’

'This greatness is given to every person in general, but from among the rest I have chosen my ministers (the sacrament of Holy Orders, the priesthood), for your salvation, so that through them the Blood of the humble spotless Lamb, my only-begotten Son, might be administered to you. It is the sun I have given them to administer, for I have given them the light of learning, the heat of divine charity, and the color that is fused with the heat and the light, the blood and body of my Son. His body is indeed a sun, for it is one thing with me, the true Sun. Such is the unity that the one can neither be separated nor cut off from the other, any more than the sun can be divided – neither its heat from its light nor its light from its color, so perfect its unity.'a

‘Dearest daughter, contemplate the marvelous state of the soul who receives this bread of life, this food of angels, as she ought. When she receives this sacrament she lives in me and I in her. Just as the fish is in the seas and the sea in the fish, so am I in the soul and the soul in me, the sea of peace. Grace lives in such a soul because, having received this bread of life, she lives in grace. When this appearance of bread has been consumed, I leave behind the imprint of my grace, just as a seal that is pressed into warm wax leaves its imprint when it is lifted off. Thus does the power of this sacrament remain there in the soul; that is, the warmth of my charity, the mercy of the Holy Spirit, remains there. The light of my only-begotten Son’s wisdom remains there, enlightening the mind’s eye (vision of faith). The soul is left strong, sharing my strength and power, which makes her strong and powerful against her selfish sensuality and against the devil and the world…my deep charity gave him to you as food for your salvation and for your nourishment in this life where you are pilgrim travelers, so that you would have refreshment and would not forget the blessing of the blood (1 Co. 11:25-6). I in my divine providence gave you this food, my gentle Truth, to help you in your need.’

‘See, then, how bound and obligated you are to love me in return since I have loved you so much, and because I am supreme Goodness, deserving to be loved by you.’

So the Church through the priesthood, a sacrament in itself who are living transmitters of the presence of Jesus, extend Him to the bread and wine to be come Body and Blood for us. The precious Body and Blood is kept in our tabernacles, His presence acknowledged by the sanctuary candle light, and He is waiting there in person for us to come visit Him.

The Lord must have His own house as we have our own, and His must be most fitting and honorable for He is God and Lord of the universe, who has come to live and remain among us. God be blessed His Holy Name!!!

We have our bible fellowship and reflections…but the sacraments are gives of Jesus, the Word now Made Flesh for our behalf. And this is where the difference is between simply having the Bible and fellowship and song, all good and necessary, but that we have His Church and the Blood of Christ’s life in the sacraments through His administrators.

Thus Catholics are obligated to attend Mass each Sunday to be nurtured on God Himself, and to deepen their love for Him and He for them, and to come to know God more.

Furthermore, we also enjoy the Communion of Saints who continue to nurture and guide us today, some going back 2,000 years…SS Justin, Hilary, and Catherine…God bless you holy saints and thank you for being open to the Lord and for your continued prayers for us and the world.

 

[TechieJustin]

Sure, it counts for* something*. It counts for your “Hey, I went to a Papal Mass” boy scout badge.

Just not for every Sunday Mass between then and now, that’s all.

I got kicked out of the Cub Scouts…

LOL! :whackadoo:

And maybe one gets a silver star on one’s Good Behavior Chart–but, as for anything thing else…not so much.

Again, I’d like to see the relationship in which the wife says, “Honey, we’re so strong in our love I’ve decided that we’re going to make love only on Christmas, and Easter–oh and one big celebration on our anniversary. That should get us through the year, yes?”

Before or after I take out the trash, and change the oil in the minvan?

Well, as I see no response from those regarding St. Justin and the early Mass, as well as the teaching by a bishop who lived in the 300’s I will add one more piece.

I’m no Saint… trust me. Hence the kicked out of the cub scouts story.

 

[PRmerger]

Before or after I take out the trash, and change the oil in the minvan?

Ha! I think it’s clear that you would not enjoy being in a relationship that got together only on Christmas, Easter and your anniversary. :dts:

Now, apply that to your relationship with God.

 

[KathleenGee]

And I continue to ask Tweetymom if she has taken the time to see my difference between Catholics and Protestants.

I notice some fundamentalists refuse to look at history.

Well, guess no dialogue, just remarks from Tweetymom…???

Finite?

 

[tweetymom]

And I continue to ask Tweetymom if she has taken the time to see my difference between Catholics and Protestants.

I notice some fundamentalists refuse to look at history.

Well, guess no dialogue, just remarks from Tweetymom…???

Finite?

Of course there is a difference. I am not stupid. I go to CC with my husband every week. I am well aware of the differences. But Catholics and Protestants all believe in and worship the same God. And if my remarks bother you???

 

[Roy5]

A couple quick points

1. The doctrine of transubstantiation is a major difference between Catholicism and Protestantism. The idea that (as one poster phrased it) Catholics have 'One Flesh Union' with Christ through communion strikes many Protestants as pagan. Sorry, but that's what they often think. Like some of the mystery religions, rivals of early Christianity, who taught that by consumption of God through their liturgies they became united with Mithra, Dionysius or whomever. (I think I spelled Dionysis wrong. Sorry).

 2. Protestantism has a variety of branches, so generalizations must be avoided. In some of the more liturgical churches (Anglican, Lutheran) there is considerable emphasis on communion. In many of the less liturgical churches it is viewed as less important. Quakers and maybe the Salvation Army do not have communion at all. I believe the Disciples of Christ. a distinctive 'low church' liturgy-wise, has it every Sunday. Etc.

 3. The major division within Protestantism - and one might say within Catholicism also - is between the literalists and those who pick and choose. Most of my Catholic friends would be viewed as 'cafeteria Catholics' here since they do not believe or have serious doubts about certain doctrines regarding the Eucharist, Mary, papal infallibility, the saints, etc. Did St. Padre Pio really levitate and bilocate? Most of my Protestant friends are not the least bit fundamentalist. They reject various parts of the Bible that they find in conflict with their overall theology. For example, would God order King Saul to murder every last Amalekite as an act of revenge? Certainly not.  Nor was Joshua commanded to slaughter all those in Jericho - or did Joshua make the sun stand still. Etc.

  4. Personally, I think this whole business of saying that certain people are going to heaven because of their beliefs or their religious identification is nonsense. God looks at our hearts rather than our labels. My guess is that heaven is full of Orthodox, Protestants and Catholics, Jews and Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, Jainists and Taoists, followers of various Native American faiths, and those of many other religions. That is the only position consistent with the core Christian teaching that God is love. Remember how Jesus told us to love, even our enemies. 

 5. As far as church attendance is concerned, I am present every weekend. Regular worship provides me with strength for the week ahead, and when the homily and/or music are good that is an extra blessing. I strongly recommend it. But I'm not sure it has anything to do with eternal salvation. That is a gift based on the grace of God.

 6. Let me toss in a little verse I heard years ago that makes me more sympathetic to doubters who have trouble accepting the Christian message in its entirety.
      God published a tale of a girl and a ghost,
      Of devils in pigs and his son on a cross.
      He gave them to man to believe them or roast,
           Yea, his mercy endureth forever!
 Christians often fail to understand how alien the Biblical account can seem to the modern mind.   

  God bless people of every creed, color and country, and may religion become a bridge rather than a barrier. We need the Christian virtue of humility when we dialogue on subjects that have considerable areas of mystery, We live on a tiny speck out in a space that contains maybe a billion gallaxies. We all have a lot to learn.

 

[TechieJustin]

Ha! I think it’s clear that you would not enjoy being in a relationship that got together only on Christmas, Easter and your anniversary. :dts:

Now, apply that to your relationship with God.

God is everpresent and knows everything.
He knows how much I appreciate Him.

 

[KathleenGee]

Tweety,

I don’t think you really understand our differences. And you appear impatient with your remarks, like what is the point…

There are great differences.

 

[PRmerger]

God is everpresent and knows everything.
He knows how much I appreciate Him.

Exactly, Justin, exactly.

Just like you would know how much your wife appreciates you when she just wants to get together with you only on Christmas, Easter and your anniversary. :sad_yes:

I am 100% certain you’re getting the point of this whole line of thinking, even if you’re trying to sound coy. You get that no intimate relationship will last when one person thinks it’s sufficient to get together 2 times a year. It speaks volumes about how much one truly “appreciates Him.”

 

[TechieJustin]

Exactly, Justin, exactly.

Just like you would know how much your wife appreciates you when she just wants to get together with you only on Christmas, Easter and your anniversary. :sad_yes:

I am 100% certain you’re getting the point of this whole line of thinking, even if you’re trying to sound coy. You get that no intimate relationship will last when one person thinks it’s sufficient to get together 2 times a year. It speaks volumes about how much one truly “appreciates Him.”

You’re right about the wife - but you can’t compare my future wife with God. and I’m not being 100% coy, I think Have a valid point.
I should probably go to Sunday services more often; but I don’t believe going every week is necessary.

 

[PRmerger]

You’re right about the wife -

You are a good guy, Justin. I think it speaks volumes about your integrity and honesty that you’re willing to admit this.

but you can’t compare my future wife with God.

But I can, Justin. God has done it all throughout the Scriptures–comparing our relationship with Him as to a marriage. He is our Beloved. (And, I’m technically comparing your future wife with you, not God.)

Our understanding of earthly Marriage is but an icon, a “pointing to”, of true Marriage in heaven.

Since there’s no way for us to fully comprehend an infinite God, God has given us “finite” examples of ways to understand Him. One example is He is a Father. Another is He is as fire. Or a cloud. Another is as our Beloved Spouse.

 

[PRmerger]

I should probably go to Sunday services more often; but I don’t believe going every week is necessary.

So here’s the thing, Justin. The only way you know anything about God–like what you said here:

God is everpresent and knows everything.
He knows how much I appreciate Him.

is because the Catholic Church has told you this.

You know that God is merciful and loving because the Catholic Church told you this through the Scriptures it compiled.

What is puzzling to me is how you take that part of understanding of God and say, “Yeah, God is Love” but ignore the parts that are unpalatable to you–like the one that says, “Keep Holy the Sabbath” or “obey your leaders” or…whatever.

If you’re going to accept the doctrine that God loves you, then you ought to accept all that God has proclaimed to you, through the Catholic Church, even the ones that are unappealing to you.

Otherwise, you’re creating your own god. A god made in* your* own image and likeness.

 

[tweetymom]

Tweety,

I don’t think you really understand our differences. And you appear impatient with your remarks, like what is the point…

There are great differences.

Yes indeed there are many differences and I understand them all.

 

[mike52ad]

I am not too concerned about why Protestants do not feel an organized church is important as I am not a Protestant, but I am concerned as to why a significant number of Catholics do not attend regularly.

The Great ommission and the Acts of the Apostles shows clearly that an institutional Church existed after Jesus returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. It also shows that it was considered important. When a Protestant missies Sunday service what he or she is missing is exposure to the company of believers, exposure to the Word and an explanation of it and suggestions on how to make it part of life and the opportunity to worship God. All three of these things one would think would be important enough to compel attendance, that there would be something missing in the believers life because he or she was not present.

A Catholic missing Mass, misses all of these things too plus he or she misses the Holy Eucharist, the very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. Again, you would think that this would compel the believer to attend, but it doesn’t. Why? One of the other posters mentioned soccer, baseball and other diversions as a possible replacement for worship and I agree. We do NOT give God the place He deserves in our life and as a consequence we have a society that is navigating away from the truth. We have abortion and in some places “assisted suicide” and the holiness of life has been set aside.

Catholic’s especially need to return home on a regular basis. The power of the Eucharist will heal many wounds and provide much power to defeat satan in this world.

So for Protestants and Catholics alike, we will reap what we sow. If we prefer soccer or baseball or “The Game” or any other diversion that the world offers to God, He will step aside. He loves us so much that he gave us free will. I would urge all Christians of whatever belief system to get back to Church. There we can find God’s plan.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Having been raised non-denominational. I can’t say that protestants consider church attendance unimportant, my thought is that there is nothing drawing them to church other then fellowship or listening to the message of the pastor. Catholics on the other hand believe in the Eucharist and because of that fact have a real reason to attend mass and receive this sacrament.

As I learn more about the Catholic faith the Eucharist seems to be the difference that truly separates the two faiths.

I would agree with that. Having spent 20+ years in different Protestant churches. Now I have some really great friends that are Protestants who** do **consider church attendance important. I never really did. Coming back to the Catholic church, I consider it important not only because the church tells me it is. I want to be there to build up the Body of Christ (the church) AND because I’m drawn in a powerful way to the Body of Christ (the Eucharist). To my Protestant brothers and sisters, no disrespect but communion in the Protestant church is NOT the same as communion in the Catholic church. Until you have experienced it–you just don’t even know. I feel I can say this having seen both sides of the coin…

 

[Loboto-Me]

Annabelle Marie, I wish I could agree with you on the experience of Catholics receiving our Lord through the Eucharist. There are so many lukewarm catholics that just take Him for granted, going up while receiving Him improperly.

St. Paul’s warning about receiving the Eucharist improperly should give all Christians cause for reflection: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor 11:27-29)

Have you noticed how short the confession lines are compared to the long line of receivers? I have to wonder what graces the partaking of the Body and Blood would give in this situation?

I think that there are many who are properly disposed, who understand exactly WHO is cradled in the priest’s hand, and these are the ones who actually receive grace from the Blessed Sacrament.

The others going up, I think, do receive graces from outward sources, which is what happened to me. I had to count on outward sources of grace because I innocently was taking the Eucharist for granted, not examining myself. I thank God for His mercy and giving me a way out of my stagnation, and curing me like the blind man so I could see.

 

[Laura15]

I am not too concerned about why Protestants do not feel an organized church is important as I am not a Protestant, but I am concerned as to why a significant number of Catholics do not attend regularly. quote

**Yes! I’m wondering the same thing were I live. I live in a town with a population of about 1,000. And over 3/4 of it is Catholic. But sadly not everyone goes to Mass OR Confession. There are still quite a few Catholics that don’t go because for one reason “you sit there and hear the same kinda thing over and over, and plus you are sitting in hard benches” is one quote from a girl I know who is Catholic, and I rarely see her at Mass. Now that wasn’t the EXact quote Pretty close though just to let you know. So I see these Catholic kids coming in once a year for Easter etc. or families even. I’ve been up to the local high schooI and talked with a another Catholic and she said “oh it drives me (beep)” I am really praying though to have our Catholic community become “more united” as our priest said at the beginning of the year. God Bless!

And God Bless all those who don’t understand the true meaning to going to church to praise the Lord.
Laura**

 

[KathleenGee]

Among Catholics, there is a great need for the renewal of catechesis…and many have had such busy lives, to make time to go to classes has been to near impossible. What has made the greatest impact are little devotional tracts that speak to the spiritual poverty of not receiving the sacraments.

There is a great difference between having the actual physical presence of God with you vs. assembling in the Word, hearing sermons, and singing…of course people help the poor and serve one another.

But the Catholic Church has the physical presence of Jesus. He is with us in the tabernacle outside of Mass.

Reflecting on Scripture in whatever form, using one’s mind and heart and soul to reflect on the Word of God is not at all the same in receiving His Divine Person in the Eucharist…because Jesus said that those Who eat will have eternal life…and doing so heaven is already here on earth…through the Eucharist…not perfectly, that it is in heaven.

But once you start to live off of the Eucharist and the sacraments, you experience more of His kingdom on earth. That presence of the Eucharist begins to extend out into the world around you.

Our pastor told us the other day at Mass, Jesus is more physically present today than He was 2,000 years ago…The Eucharist is in all the churches throughout the world, Christ is physically present in the believers around us…The Eucharist – the physical presence of Jesus…He is more than ever.

And there also has been a great increase in conversions this past year of many people coming into the Catholic church at this time of great crisis…people are having their faith restored. And there are Catholics who have been preparing in silence and the cross, who are now ready to go out and evangelize.

 

[KathleenGee]

And the Holy Spirit is leading me now to go out to those who are searching for the One true Lord and not spend time for those who reject Him and His presence that remains with us.

There are too many who are hungering for the Eucharist and we must make ourselves available to them.

 

[jmcrae]

You’re right about the wife - but you can’t compare my future wife with God. and I’m not being 100% coy, I think Have a valid point.
I should probably go to Sunday services more often; but I don’t believe going every week is necessary.

What we think is not really the point.

It’s God who thinks we need to get together with Him every Sunday for Mass. God is the Beloved One - we do what He wants to do, because we love Him - even if we don’t happen to think it’s absolutely necessary, or don’t really understand why He wants to get together with us every single Sunday and every Holy Day of Obligation.

Over time, as you actually do it, though, you start to understand it - not necessarily in a way that you can explain articulately, but - yeah, it makes sense to do this. It helps our relationship, when we do that with God.