Why does one 'convert' from Protestant to Catholic

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My mother grew up in the Methodist and Church of Christ churches. She considered herself Methodist like her mother.

Mama credits our late priest with being a major influence in her conversion to the Catholic Church. The Holy Spirit was definitely with him and spoke to her heart.
 
Bobby87 said:
Protestantism isn’t real Christianity.
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Of course Protestantism is a real form of Christianity. You may not agree with all its teachings, and you may hold a different doctrine of the Church, the apostolic succession, the orders of ministry, and the sacraments, but that doesn’t mean that Protestants aren’t real Christians. The Catholic Church teaches very definitely that Protestants are Christians. The only organisations that not usually considered to be Christian are those like Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons where there are really substantial differences in fundamental points of doctrine, such as on Jesus and the Trinity.
 
I think “convert” is basically a colloquial term. As others have pointed out, the Church itself describes the process as being received into the Church. It’s not adopting a new religion (conversion), but entering into a new relationship with the Catholic Church.
 
The biggest gap I felt during my Evangelical days came from the theological approach. Sola scriptura felt inchoate to me, even unfulfilling. In my mind, there had to be a bigger picture than people at a Bible study debating their personal interpretations of different verses.

I went atheist/agnostic for awhile before becoming Catholic, (long story), but the Catholic approach to theological understanding held tremendous appeal for me.
 
Yes, Protestants are “protesting” at least something or many things in the Catholic Church. The term itself is defining this form of Christianity in relation to and away from Catholicism–which is telling. Catholicism, in short, is the benchmark. You may wish to read up on the origins of the Protestant Reformation as it took various forms in various areas in Europe to understand what was being protested.
 
When asked, I use the term “I am a convert” because that is the generally understood term (cradle, convert, revert). When describing my journey, I say “I entered into full communion on X date at Y” parish. During RCIA sessions or when speaking with non-Catholic Christians using that term helps better define the Church’s teachings about non-Catholic Christians.
 
Bobby87 said:
Not from the perspective of the creed. The validity of their baptism is due to the fact that they stold the rite from the Church. Much like spending someone elses money. It is valid but not lawful, but spending that money you have stolen does not make you the legitimate owner.
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Would you please point me to this teaching?

Here is a link to the Catechism section on the Creed:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2.htm
 
Pattylt said:
Catholicism is over 2000 years old
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Catholicism is only about 1986 years old. The birth of the Catholic Church is usually reckoned to have occurred when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles on the Pentecost following Jesus’ death and resurrection which is usually reckoned to have taken place in the year 33. (2019 - 33 = 1986) So, it would be ok to approximate the age of Catholicism at 2000 years old but not to say it is over 2000 years old.
 
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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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The proper term is “to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.” Some folks colloquially call it “converting”, just as some Protestants call Catholics “Romish” (both of which can be grating on people!).

So… come into full communion with the Catholic Church! It’s a great place to be!
 
Since some of the original protestant denominations broke away from the church it would be more accurate to say that they rejected some sacraments (or lost the validity of them due to the breaking away) rather than they ‘stole’ baptism.
 
Any time you change from one thing to another you may call it converting. One could convert from Baptist to Lutheran, or Methodist to Church of Christ, or certainly from any of those to Catholic. The word is simply semantics and indicates a movement from one area of beliefs to another.

Certainly, it is judgmental and perhaps a bit unkind to declare that any denomination is not Christian. While we hold that the Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Christ Himself, and that any church who declares that they are the actual true church was wrong headed in its inception, many Christians alive today are members of their respective denominations by birth and know no better. Many others have chosen a non-Catholic church because they have unknowingly been misled. These people are very often Faithful, holy people who believe in all their hearts that they are Christians, saved by Christ on the cross because that is what they have been taught.

Because of that, we as members of Christ’s true Church must take the high road, not condemning but loving and informing our non-Catholic neighbors of the ACTUAL way, truth and Light.

As for the semantics, I will proudly declare that I was converted to Catholicism, having spent 35 years with my Cradle Catholic wife resisting the Church because I was not welcome at communion. In 2009 when I finally understood the truth about communion and the need to be pure and repentant in order to receive, I relented and was confirmed at Easter Vigil in 2010.

Whether you call it a journey, a choice, a movement, or a conversion, is of little consequence. In this case it is not the journey that is important, but the destination, which begins a new glorious journey.

In case you are interested, this is my journey.
 
Thank you for your insight and I agree, I thought it was a bit unkind to suggest other denominations aren’t Christian. I have met this website with a lot of judgmental comments and I appreciate those that are willing to have an open conversation about such matters. I don’t think that the negative comments are warranted or necessary especially when speaking to someone who’s trying to find answers and is trying to learn and their faith is in a delicate position.

Presently, it’s very off and on… I go to bed thinking yes, this is the way and making plans to attend a Catholic Mass and then I wake up the next day and am like oh gosh, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m driving myself insane at this point lol.

I think I’m just afraid though… of going to Mass and loving everything about it and not being able to turn back and then feel like I’m living a lie if I don’t share with my family. My entire life I have fought against everything my parents have told me… I was always the rebellious one and I recently got a taste of truly trying to honor my parents wishes and get rid of all the bad things and people in my life that were taking me down a dark path and it felt so good to be right with them and knowing I had nothing to hide and I was being a good daughter. Now, I feel I am rebelling once again, but in a completely different way and I find it so frustrating because I don’t want to. I want everyone to be happy, but then I keep thinking what if by not being Catholic, what if I’m not right with God and I have to walk this path alone and He isn’t always going to ask you to do the easy thing.
 
If you are a minor, under the authority of your parents, then pray - study - be patient. The Church has been around for 2,000 years, she will be here when you are an adult 🙂
 
unseenchanges said:
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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Just a few thoughts

Convert means to change from one’s way(s) of thinking & practice(s), to another. And in the case of coming into the Catholic Church from another belief system(s), that action requires Catholic formation to accomplish that properly. Said simply one goes first through RCIA,. AND the process and formation process, doesn’t stop there. It never stops, as Peter, our first pope, taught

2 Pet 1:
5 For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11 so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Note: the 2nd on that list of 7 attributes we are to put into effect, without stopping, is knowledge. Conversion won’t happen, or it might pretty shallow at best, if one doesn’t know what they are converting to or why they are doing it.
 
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I am definitely not a minor and am 32 years old. It was just always instilled in me that family always comes first after God.
 
Right…entered into full communion, as The Little Lady said. I also think that is better than “convert,” since I was already a Christian and, rather than converting, was looking to add something more to my Christianity. That was the Eucharist.

A man once said that, before, he was getting Christian instruction, but he wasn’t getting the “meat & potatoes” of Christianity. With the Catholic church, he is now getting the meat & potatoes! I had to agree with that. I entered into full communion with the Catholic church and am now getting the meat & potatoes.
 
I converted for three reasons: the fullness of the sacraments, authority and Our Lady. Every other Christian denomination comes from the Catholic Church, but was man made.
 
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