Why don't non-catholic christians convert?

[CelticWarlord]

why don’t more non-catholic christians become catholic?

As has already been stated, there are a few doctrinal issues where I have not reached a place where I can believe in them. Let me put that another way; I don’t reject them because I want to, or think they’re silly, or am just being obnoxious. No, I quite simply have not been persuaded by any of the material that “this” is something I can accept. I attend Mass exclusive to all other Christian churches and feel very much at home. But a small number of very important things which a Catholic is supposed to believe, well, I just can’t honestly say that I do.

What these issues are have come up before so I’m not looking for further discussion on them, just so ya know.

 

[Cjbhoward]

If someone is not raised Catholic, or doesn’t marry someone who was raised Catholic, it’s hard to figure out “how Catholics fellowship.” Yet, I can walk into a Protestant church and have lunch with someone scheduled within an hour.

I see it both ways. On the one hand, as soon as the Deacon says, “Go & announce the Gospel of the Lord.” There is a Mass exodus out of the parking lot.

I got to thinking, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. We’re called to come & worship. Then we’re sent out into the world.

Still, some are called to fellowship withh people of like mind… because the people out there in the world are not like us.

In my parish, we do have hundreds rushing out the door. But we also have hundreds rushing to the community building for pancakes & coffee.

Then there are others who invite my wife & I to breakfast with a small group.

 

[TK421]

1. Free will
2. Ego

1. Bad examples.

 

[NostalgicBaptist]

So, if the catholic church is right, why don’t more non-catholic christians become catholic? I’ve met and seen non-catholic christians who are on fire for God and are sometimes, living more faithful than some catholics. However, it seems like if they know so much about God’s word, or they’ve experienced so much having to do with God, that they should know that their church is not the one Jesus himself founded.

Warm Greetings,

I’m a Baptist now of the Reformed Variety but I was raised Roman Catholic.

Your statement that the Roman Catholic Church is considered “the one Jesus founded” is something that’s assumed to be true by you and many others. But how do you support this assertion? In other words, why should non-Catholic Christians agree with you? You will need to give clear, solid, compelling and positive reasons for your position. Someone has well said, “My heart cannot rejoice in what my mind rejects.”

 

[Peeps]

I was raised Conference Baptist, and attended Christian church, Southern Baptist, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Reformed Church in America, and E Free churches as we moved around. I’ve played piano in many different Protestant churches, even African American churches.

You want clear, solid, compelling and positive reasons? Then perhaps you would like to read up on church history.

I would like to recommend that you read Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley. Dr. Shelley was Senior Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Denver Theological Seminary (many of the pastors I grew up with were grads of this school).

Try to get the most recent edition of this book.

In spite of the scholarly background of the author, the book is easy to read for non-academics.

It tells the story of the development of the Church from the time of Jesus’s Death and Resurrection through the present, including the story of the New Testament church and then the rise of “Catholic Christianity.”

Dr. Shelley even has a complete list of the Popes from the 1st Century through Pope John Paul II (who was still Pope when this book was written)

I grew up hearing that “Catholics” perverted the Christian Church after the death of the apostles, and that until Martin Luther came along, the “real” Church of Jesus was underground. It made sense to me until I started hearing Protestant pastors and teachers talk and write about some of the great Christian men of those early centuries; e.g., Augustine of Hippo, and Ignatius and Athanasius and St. Thomas Aquinas–I couldn’t help but wonder how my Protestant pastors considered these men great Christians when these men clearly believed in and practiced and taught and defended CATHOLIC Christianity!

Anyway, Dr. Shelley’s book is wonderful. I recommend it to Catholics, too, because Dr. Shelley debunks the arguments that many Catholics put forth about “30,000 denominations” and does a wonderful job explaining where the various Protestant denominations came from and what they contributed to Christianity. This book helps you to see that many of these communities have been shining lights in very dark places, even though they are not Catholic.

 

[MichaelP3]

A very comprehensive answer and one I really doubt any Catholic on here wondered about.

God bless you and your path forward!

 

[ATraveller]

I grew up hearing that “Catholics” perverted the Christian Church after the death of the apostles, and that until Martin Luther came along, the “real” Church of Jesus was underground.

I have a feeling they’d be disappointed to find Martin Luther disagreed with them.

 

[AlNg]

So, if the catholic church is right, why don’t more non-catholic christians become catholic?

There are several reasons why a non-Roman-catholic Russian Orthodox would not convert to the Roman Catholic Church.

1. The liturgy of the Russian Orthodox church is perceived as being more uplifting spiritually than many Roman Catholic Masses:
   
2. the Roman Catholic Church added the filioque to the creed several centuries after the creed was approved without the filioque. And Holy Scripture says that the holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. John 15:26.
3. Papal Supremacy: If the pope is the supreme head of the Church, why then did Patriarch Meletius of Antioch preside over the Second Ecumenical Council. The Fourth ecumencial council was called against the wishes of the Pope. Further, Pope Vigilius opposed the condemnation of the Three chapters, but the Fifth Ecumenical council condemned and anathematized the Three Chapters. The Sixth ecumencial Council declared that they rejected the false teachings of Pope Honorius.
   Etc. So the Orthodox do not accept the universal supremacy of the Roman Pope.
4. In the papal bull of 1054, allowing a married clergy was condemned. The followers of Michael Cerularius were excommunicated.
5. The Mother of God should generally be portrayed with Her infant Son and not alone.
6. There are Roman Catholic priests who have converted to the Orthodox Church.
   
7. Roman Catholic colleges hire and support off beat professors of Catholic theology. For example, theology professor Tat sion Benny Liew, at College of the Holy Cross holds an endowed chair in New Testament studies. He writes that in the New Testament, Jesus is seen as a drag queen with queer desires.
   Heresy at a Jesuit College | Charlotte Allen | First Things
   And many other reasons are given as to why an Eastern Orthodox would not convert to Catholicism.

 

[crystalclear]

The main comment I hear is our position on Mary.

 

[halogirl]

Can I just say your daughter sounds awesome xx

 

[Peeps]

Thanks. I agree-she is awesome, but has had a lot of painful experiences.

However, over the Christmas break when she was home, she told us (and others in the family) that no matter what sad or frustrating things have happened to her, she has never lost faith in God. The Church, yes. But not God.

I think a lot of Christians in all churches and denominations would say the same thing, at least, I hope they would. That’s what Christianity is all about–trusting God no matter what happens here on earth.

 

[halogirl]

I can relate to what you’re saying. My old Methodist church was very into fellowship within the church. My new church people are friendly but I don’t think people socialise that much. I’m ok with that as I’m a huge introvert and if someone asked me for lunch within the hour I’d be freaked out . You sound like an extrovert who thrives from around others I think once you are in a Smaller church you might find what you are looking for. What I have noticed is God likes to put you in situations that are good for you but often times they are out of our comfort zone so that’s hard. I’ve had to get more involved with church people than ever before and other people in my life than I am comfortable with but it’s part of our growth.

 

[TULIPed]

Great question. I’m going to come at this from more of a cultural standpoint than a theological one. Keep in mind that perception is reality. If you really want to attract more Protestants back “across the Tiber” - perhaps treat this like a customer survey…

As a Reformed Protestant with a fair amount of experience on both sides of the river (I have a large extended family that is Catholic) I would suggest that one reason is - ironically - the idea of community and family and how they differ between Catholics and Protestants. I say ironically, because I know Catholics believe that they are part of the one true community and family. (I say this respectfully and thankful that we Protestant believers are referred to as “separated brethren”).

I would argue though that the idea of community and family IN GENERAL is more “genetically” oriented in the Catholic Church. That is - spiritually oriented community time is spent largely amongst one or a few (relative to Protestants) families that are actually related. The best way I can express this idea is the way a Protestant feels at Mass. It feels “disassociated” relative to your average Protestant church. The upside of this - and I think Catholics would argue (and I think in many cases I would agree) - is that the point of Mass is the Eucharist and to worship and physically be a part of Christ’s body. True this. Worship is not a country club after all. And yet…

I would say the average committed Protestant spends at least 10-12 hours a week involved in “community”, i.e. non-genetic family, church time. For example, you’d spend 4 hours at Church on Sunday (service and Sunday School), a couple of hours in a men’s small group, a couple of hours in a couples or family group, and a couple of hours doing volunteer work. I KNOW THAT MANY CATHOLICS SPEND THIS AND MORE TIME AT CHURCH TOO. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PROTESTANTS WHO ARE CHREASTERS AT BEST. My guess is though, that on average, the Protestant time involved with other NON FAMILY believers is greater. It feels TO ME like there is more - fellowship. In each of these groups (other than worship), prayer requests are shared; we learn of births, deaths, divorces new jobs, lost jobs, fears, etc.; we break bread; study the Bible, etc. In short, we get to know other believers relatively intimately - they become “family”.

(I can literally feel every Catholic reading this right now rolling their eyes excessively - seriously - I know you all are. You all look exactly like my high school daughter when I say something like “I know how you feel…”)

Again - I know many Catholics for whom this same level of fellowship exists. I’m just trying to answer the question from my perspective. Finally - and I stress this - this perspective is not theologically based. My presumption is that in both cases we’re talking about people who love and believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior. I’m not saying one side is right or wrong. I’m just pointing out how it feels to me.

 

[NostalgicBaptist]

Peeps, thank you for your suggestion. I will check out Dr. Shelley’s book.

 

[JonNC]

Peeps:

I grew up hearing that “Catholics” perverted the Christian Church after the death of the apostles, and that until Martin Luther came along, the “real” Church of Jesus was underground.

I have a feeling they’d be disappointed to find Martin Luther disagreed with them.

Well stated!
But they have disagreed with Luther since the start of the Reformation(s), since before the Marburg Colloquy.

Luther carried on by addressing not the Lord’s Supper, but his opponents’ errors in teaching regarding the Trinity, the two natures in Christ, original sin, Baptism, justification, the oral word and ministry of the word, and purgatory.[7] Oecolampadius and Zwingli denied there were divisions on these matters and asked that they begin instead with the article at issue, the Lord’s Supper. Luther agreed, but not without testifying publicly that he disagreed with the writings of these men on the above articles.

https://lutheranreformation.org/history/the-marburg-colloquy/

 

[mcq72]

• Free will
• Ego

Why thank you, I resemble that remark (and so every human being ever made, even Jesus the man).

Your list of our parts that help formulate our spiritual decisions is incomplete. But it is easy, just look within, and whatever "parts’’ a Catholic uses in the decision is the same an Orthodox or Protestant uses.