Why does one 'convert' from Protestant to Catholic

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unseenchanges

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What I mean by that is as a Protestant, why does one have to CONVERT to Catholicism if it’s all Christianity? Why is it not like … I’ve decided to go to a Catholic Church instead of a Baptist or Presbyterian or any other type of Christian church…?

I understand the belief that the Catholic Church is the one true church, but to me, the words ‘to convert’ feel like you’re referring to another religion. I guess I’m trying to understand why it’s separated in such a way… ?

I am exploring deepening my faith and feel drawn to the Catholic Church, but I’m just trying to understand everything as a whole. (I was raised United Methodist)

I read recently someone say ‘being Protestant is like being in your faith only half way and being Catholic is the missing half’ and it’s how I’ve been feeling for a while now.

Also, please no negative comments. Please be understanding and open to discussion without hurtful remarks. Thank you.
 
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I converted from what I was taught about Communion to what the Church teaches.

I converted from what I was taught about sin to what the Church teaches.

I converted from what I was taught about authority to what the Church teaches.

I remained a Christian, moving to the fullness of Faith.
 
Protestants are like blind people walking though the garden of the true Church. It is easier for them to stumble and fall. By accepting the full truth, they can be in a much more secured position, not to mention attain a full life of grace.
 
For me, it was realizing that “something” was missing from my faith life. I had reached a point where I no longer went to church because of the modernity working its way into my Baptist Church. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would reveal and lead me to a deeper faith. This led me to research other “denominations” and after several years of research, the Holy spirit revealed to me the truth of the Catholic Church. Best decision I ever made!
 
Bobby87 said:
Protestantism isn’t real Christianity.
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If this were true, than all Protestants would be baptized as part of Conversion.

The vast majority of Protestant denominations/sects/groups validly baptize. That valid baptism makes one a “real Christian”.
 
I too was raised in the United Methodist Church: I joined the Catholic Church when I was seventeen.

You are not the first to object to the term “convert”, whether used as a verb or as a noun, concerning those who come into the Catholic Church from other churches or communions. I have seen, for instance, some objections to the word based on it’s not being used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The situation really is, I think, that English has no single word other than “convert” to describe the act of joining the Church (verb) or having become a Catholic (noun), for doing so certainly does involve a conversion (μετάνοια) of mind and heart, as @TheLittleLady indicated above.

As you may have noticed, I myself say that I “joined” (verb) the Catholic Church, but I do not hesitate to describe myself as a convert (noun). I don’t know what other single word would do.
 
I think that we “convert” to Catholicism because we are all Christians, but as Catholics, we are the true church and obviously we are not Protestants. We believe some things differently. Our faith is never to be taken lightly because we profess our faith and every word we speak. In the creed we don’t just pray it, we believe what we say. The true presence of Jesus in Holy Eucharist is not something that we can walk up and say “I am going to start receiving Him”. It is a process of learning, understanding, and receiving other sacraments where we are transformed and changed. This is where we “convert”.
 
I would add that Catholicism is over 2000 years old and there is much one needs to learn that is not covered in Protestant faiths. That’s one of the big reasons from my point of view that Catholics have RCIA as a process to learn and discuss the fullness of their faith. They want you to make the decision with your heart AND your brain. The sacraments are so very important that it shouldn’t be a quick decision but one thought over and contemplated before making.

AM I right?
 
How about, I grew into the Catholic Faith?
Language, words, cause us so many problems.

Anyway, @unseenchanges , may God continue to bless your journey in faith. 🙏🙏🙏
 
unseenchanges said:
What I mean by that is as a Protestant, why does one have to CONVERT to Catholicism if it’s all Christianity?
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It’s a good question. I remember it struck me as an odd use of language, sounding slightly off-key, when I was in the process of becoming a Catholic back in the JP2 era. In the end I suppose I just accepted it as the standard term in Catholic use.

Coincidentally, earlier today I was reading an obituary that included this:

J—— never talked to his colleagues about his religious feelings or affiliation. It came as something of a surprise to learn of his journey, from the (Plymouth) Brethren, to which his parents belonged, to the Anglican church, of which he was a devout and active member for many years, and finally to the Roman Catholic church about three years before his death.

“Journey”? I suppose it’s a suitable metaphor to use in an obituary.
 
TheLittleLady said:
I converted from what I was taught about Communion to what the Church teaches.

I converted from what I was taught about sin to what the Church teaches.

I converted from what I was taught about authority to what the Church teaches.

I remained a Christian, moving to the fullness of Faith.
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You literally said it perfectly. This is exactly why I refer to myself as a convert. <3
 
PattyltRegular

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I would add that Catholicism is over 2000 years old and there is much one needs to learn that is not covered in Protestant faiths. That’s one of the big reasons from my point of view that Catholics have RCIA as a process to learn and discuss the fullness of their faith. They want you to make the decision with your heart AND your brain. The sacraments are so very important that it shouldn’t be a quick decision but one thought over and contemplated before making.

AM I right?

Sounds right to me!

Dorothy
 
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I am a convert to Catholicism.

I converted to Catholicism because I believe in the True Presence. I believe in what the Catholic Church teaches.

The Catholic Church is the true church. Every Christian religion stems from Catholicism. Every Protestant denomination came about because they protested something about the Catholic Church or are spinoffs of another Protestant denomination, etc.
 
Protestants are protesting Catholicism. To enter the Catholic Church, therefore, is to give up heretical beliefs, stop protesting, and return to the fullness of the faith. It is a turning, hence the word conversion.
 
I never thought about it like that! Thank you for this point of view and opening my eyes to this notion… ‘protest’ is literally in the term ‘protestant’
 
Thank you for your perspective. It helps to be explained as such. I think the word ‘convert’ makes me feel guilty that I’m somehow betraying my family and the beliefs they set forth. I don’t want to dishonor them, but I also know that my walk with Christ is to be walked alone and I have to make that choice for my soul.

For this reason, I went to church today for the first time in 7 years because my husband didn’t feel ready to attend. It wasn’t a Catholic Church because I just went to the closest one to me as I felt I just needed to worship Him. However, I do feel like there’s something missing and I want more.
 
I think “wanting more” is a big part of what drew me to the Catholic Church. It was actually Catholics in RCIA who told me not to say I was “converting” because my baptism was a valid one, making me a Christian at 3 years old.

Both the Lord and I know that I did not walk intentionally with Him between ages 16 and 33, so my “conversion experience” in a Baptist church was just as meaningful to me as my Baptism (and second “baptism” by Baptists). But just a few years later, several events in my prayer life and participation in ministries made it obvious to me that the Lord was calling me to Catholic faith. I knew immediately that was what had to happen - but it took me at least five or six years to overcome the many obstacles I had permitted to come between me and the True Faith.

An equally good question is, how do you know that entering the Church was the right thing to do? It’s a good question, because anyone looking in at my life might say it was a mistake. But the Lord and I know what He and His Church have done (and continue to do) in my life, my heart, my soul, and among my family and friends. It’s not the “American Dream” version of Christianity - not so far - but any frustration I may experience in temporal circumstances are far outweighed by the peace made available for eternity. (Even the “peace” has a fuller consistency.)

What can I say, it’s like pure water or fine wine - once you get a taste of what the True Faith offers (even long before you’re ready to enter the Church), you just can’t continue to accept anything else! And from what you’re writing, it sounds like your soul has already gotten that taste…
 
Thank you for sharing – your last paragraph brought me to tears and I know what you speak is truth. The hunger I have for seeking the True Faith grows deeper and louder and I fear eventually I won’t be able to hide from it any longer. I can feel it’s reaching that point.
 
I remember that tender, sensitive time. You are right that your tears evidence the Holy Spirit moving. My prayer will be that you become as surprised by your family’s acceptance of the Faith as I did in my own. They are not Catholic (yet!) but they have revealed the Faith working in their lives as well over the years. They never viewed my journey as a rejection of their faith or denomination (even when I did) - they rather knew I had to walk with Christ wherever that led. The only difficult conversation I ever had with them was when my dad asked if I believed he would go to hell for not being Catholic – heartbreaking! (I assured him I did not, and that it’s not what Church teaches.)
 
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