Why Is Catholicism So Unattractive to Evangelicals?

[JustaServant]

So a largely Catholic small town will be even colder to “outsiders”, serious question.

One does not logically lead to the other.

 

[TC3033]

One does not logically lead to the other.

How do you mean.

That is exacly what I thought when the geography and size of town was brought up. I live in a small town that doesn’t like growing, doesn’t like change and is probably 80% catholic, .5% non-denominational. Like you just said, many of them probably don’t know anything about non-denominationals outside what they were told and, my takeaway, would/could explain why they are so cold to me…what seems to be…one of only a few non-Catholics in the entire Parish.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Some may, but not all, but many Protestant churches have greeters at the door that make you feel welcome and glad to see you.

Where as someone like me, who is a highly introverted non-denominational, I still don’t feel welcome at Mass. It is hard for us, especially introverted, where it is so easy for us to be “made” as “different”. When we receive mailers and in the Parish directory there is an asterisk next to my name. When the Father that was at the church when I moved here found out I wasn’t Catholic, he wanted exactly zero to do with me.

How is that supposed to make someone feel? I guess it’s a large fundamental difference that’s important to me. I grew up in a very welcoming, warm, family type church environment. This is where the Catholic church is quite different, and a main point that I struggle with.

Trust me, a lot of Catholics feel the same way. Many Catholics prefer to put their energy into their own worship (and family and/or group of friends and maybe the priest) than relate to anyone else - they simply don’t care. That is my assessment - sorry. Not a pretty picture. I have yet to see the bulk of any parish act differently (and I have been in many parishes for about 20 years now).

On the other hand, please don’t assume I am lavishing praise on the spontaneity and effusion of the Protestants for its own sake. I think a lot of the time it is superficial and hypocritical - just to get you into the Church - save your soul. It is not about you as a person, it is about them and their “mission”. Not that far from the Catholic at Mass with his or her all-consuming sacraments and liturgy. Everybody is in it for themselves - get those brownie points chalked up.

I concede that it is much easier and more enjoyable to go to a Protestant Church than a Catholic one as an outsider - no contest. You have to be really determined and really self-motivated to join a Catholic Church (think of it as a form of penance I have.) - and the saddest thing is you just turn into the same thing you dislike! That said, I am always friendly to what look like new people at Mass as much as I can - but I don’t go up and welcome them - too busy with my own schedule. Besides, if they are Catholic I’ll just freak them out and waste their time.

 

[TC3033]

Trust me, a lot of Catholics feel the same way. Many Catholics prefer to put their energy into their own worship (and family and/or group of friends and maybe the priest) than relate to anyone else - they simply don’t care. That is my assessment - sorry. Not a pretty picture. I have yet to see the bulk of any parish act differently (and I have been in many parishes for about 20 years now).

On the other hand, please don’t assume I am lavishing praise on the spontaneity and effusion of the Protestants for its own sake.*** I think a lot of the time it is superficial and hypocritical - just to get you into the Church - save your soul.*** It is not about you as a person, it is about them and their “mission”. Not that far from the Catholic at Mass with his or her all-consuming sacraments and liturgy. Everybody is in it for themselves - get those brownie points chalked up.

I concede that it is much easier and more enjoyable to go to a Protestant Church than a Catholic one as an outsider - no contest. You have to be really determined and really self-motivated to join a Catholic Church (think of it as a form of penance I have.) - and the saddest thing is you just turn into the same thing you dislike! That said, I am always friendly to what look like new people at Mass as much as I can - but I don’t go up and welcome them - too busy with my own schedule. Besides, if they are Catholic I’ll just freak them out and waste their time.

Agreed. There are some protestant churches out there that do exactly that, but some where that is how they are and what they believe. They are much more of a “family” and are truly glad to see you each week. Kind of a culture shock to feel pushed out, rather than being pulled into the family, especially now that it has been a year or two.

Actually…funny story. The church that my in-laws and our family belong to have a church festival every summer. A chore list is given out a few weeks before the festival to denote the schedule for each member’s chore(s). I think it was the 2nd or 3rd festival when I think I figured out why I was the only adult in the church who didn’t get a chore…especially when I noticed all the Dad’s in the church just got the same “watch the pig cook” chore.

 

[WT1]

Some may, but not all, but many Protestant churches have greeters at the door that make you feel welcome and glad to see you.

Where as someone like me, who is a highly introverted non-denominational, I still don’t feel welcome at Mass. It is hard for us, especially introverted, where it is so easy for us to be “made” as “different”. When we receive mailers and in the Parish directory there is an asterisk next to my name. When the Father that was at the church when I moved here found out I wasn’t Catholic, he wanted exactly zero to do with me.

How is that supposed to make someone feel? I guess it’s a large fundamental difference that’s important to me. I grew up in a very welcoming, warm, family type church environment. This is where the Catholic church is quite different, and a main point that I struggle with.

The Catholic mentality is that we are there for God first and foremost to the point we are expected to make our own needs secondary. Now please don’t take that as a criticism because that is not my intent, only that I am trying to explain why the Catholic experience is so different.

I grew up protestant and have only been Catholic for a couple of years the draw to me is the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I’m not even sure I can communicate properly how sacred the Mass is, how it is the closest thing we have to Heaven on earth and how incredibly blessed I feel to be able to participate in the Mass and sacraments.

There is a reason you can’t walk into the Catholic Church, make a profession of faith and immediately be baptized. It is incredibly important that you fully understand the Church’s teachings, acknowledge that you accept them and willingly enter into the Church.

Being Catholic is not the easiest thing in the world to do but rarely is anything worth having easy to obtain.

 

[TC3033]

The Catholic mentality is that we are there for God first and foremost to the point we are expected to make our own needs secondary. Now please don’t take that as a criticism because that is not my intent, only that I am trying to explain why the Catholic experience is so different.

I grew up protestant and have only been Catholic for a couple of years the draw to me is the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I’m not even sure I can communicate properly how sacred the Mass is, how it is the closest thing we have to Heaven on earth and how incredibly blessed I feel to be able to participate in the Mass and sacraments.

There is a reason you can’t walk into the Catholic Church, make a profession of faith and immediately be baptized. It is incredibly important that you fully understand the Church’s teachings, acknowledge that you accept them and willingly enter into the Church.

Being Catholic is not the easiest thing in the world to do but rarely is anything worth having easy to obtain.

Here’s the thing… I understand, but it also makes it sound like protestants aren’t there for God, and downplaying the importance of their service to them.

What I don’t understand is the need to denote non-Catholic(s) on mailers, directories, etc… Why, when the Father found out I wasn’t Catholic, wanted nothing to do with me, only my wife…etc. It is very unwelcoming, and unsettling for someone from my point of view (a very introverted non-denominational) to come into a setting as such.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Here’s the thing… I understand.

What I don’t understand is the need to denote non-Catholic(s) on mailers, directories, etc… Why, when the Father found out I wasn’t Catholic, wanted nothing to do with me, only my wife…etc. It is very unwelcoming, and unsettling for someone from my point of view (a very introverted non-denominational) to come into a setting as such.

Not all Catholics do this. Please don’t take offense at this - I agree it is wrong - this is how Pharisees act. God finds it offensive - no matter who does it.

 

[Brendan_64]

No, those are just smokescreens.

Evangelicals find Catholicism unattractive because we need to be wrong for them to be right.

Evangelicals also confuse emotion with faith. They see to have a tendency to associate clapping, waving hands in the air, jumping up and down, and smiling, with faith. The reality is that faith does not require an emotional high.

 

[Starwarsfan2]

Evangelicals also confuse emotion with faith. They see to have a tendency to associate clapping, waving hands in the air, jumping up and down, and smiling, with faith. The reality is that faith does not require an emotional high.

Since when?

 

[FollowChrist34]

Beware of Westboro Baptist trolls.

 

[3_Dog_Night]

FollowChrist34,
Have you ever asked the parish office staff and/or the priest why “non-Catholics” are “flagged” on mailings and directories? I would be tempted to say something like, “I noticed … Can you explain the purpose behind the non-Catholic designation?” That strikes me as rather odd. And then after they picked up their teeth from the floor, I would explain how unwelcome such a practice makes me feel. At the parishes I have attended, spouses and family members who are not Catholic are made to feel very welcomed. Because, ya know, these are the folks who may well be in the next RCIA class and who will join the Church at the next Easter Vigil.

 

[FollowChrist34]

FollowChrist34,
Have you ever asked the parish office staff and/or the priest why “non-Catholics” are “flagged” on mailings and directories? I would be tempted to say something like, “I noticed … Can you explain the purpose behind the non-Catholic designation?” That strikes me as rather odd. And then after they picked up their teeth from the floor, I would explain how unwelcome such a practice makes me feel. At the parishes I have attended, spouses and family members who are not Catholic are made to feel very welcomed. Because, ya know, these are the folks who may well be in the next RCIA class and who will join the Church at the next Easter Vigil.

I honestly don’t know anything about the non-Catholic flagging on mailing or directories. It does sound kind of annoying. If I encountered an issue like that I would approach or email a priest or someone at the office and just ask about it and speak my peace. Politely tell them what you think and see what explanation they have. Also I think if you don’t like the “vibe” at one parish, go to another. I don’t think the Catholic Church really smiles on that kind of parish-shopping, but in reality it can make a world of difference - keep you in the Church in some instances. I bounced around for a while.

And I should say that my parish does have very friendly “welcomers” at every door before and after Mass. They have done that for years now. The priests actually stand there and do it too sometimes. I think some parishes are aware of these issues - but ultimately it comes down to how the parishioners act. I suspect the purpose of threads like this is to look at some of this and try to mend our ways…make all of us a little more proactive about this stuff.

 

[Tommy999]

Good article. I’ll start with the second point first:

Quote:
Second, Evangelicals find Catholicism unattractive because of the Catholic witness. The lack of Catholics with a personal relationship with Christ.

As an Evangelical the Catholic faith was so unattractive, so un-Christian, because the Catholics we knew lacked a personal, genuine relationship with Christ. They weren’t, as Evangelical writers would put it, “disciples.”

They didn’t strive to model their lives after Christ—His compassion, His integrity, His generosity—and that made them not Christians.

And, actually, that seems pretty fair because Jesus did condemn the Pharisees for their empty religion.

And these two go hand-in-hand: A practice of [empty] religion replaces a relationship with Christ. Strip away the religion and focus on Christ.

It’s a fair argument and, in my opinion, our response shouldn’t be strike back, it should be to agree.

These are some of the same things that have kept me from making the leap from evangelicalism to Catholic.

The lack of Catholics with a personal relationship with Christ. The majority of Catholics I know in real life are folks I would label “Cultural Catholics” who are Catholics because they were born that way and for whom religion is a set of rituals that include bowing, kneeling, signing, and rote prayers, etc. Then they generally go out into the real world and you’d have a hard time telling they were Christians. It’s like their faith is a compartmentalized piece of their identity that they take out for Mass and then tuck back into their shirts on the way out the door.

Disclaimer:
I realize there are many good Catholics on CAF. I just don’t see hardly any in my day-to-day dealings where I live and work.

Also, for my wife, who is a staunch evangelical Christian, plugging in to a friendly church is very important to her. Most Catholics admit that their parishes are not like that for the most part. My wife recently told me, “When I die, I want my church family to be there, too --not just my earthly family” (she was sexually abused as a little girl by members of her non-Christian family and is therefore not real close to them). If Catholics do not socialize with other Catholics much outside of one’s family, that would not be a good fit for her and I’m afraid she would be miserable and lonely without Christian fellowship with other ladies of the church with whom she could become friends.

For me, the main thing that still draws me to Catholicism is my longing for the holy sacraments, including Reconciliation because – from what I have heard – I like the accountability aspect of it as well as hearing a definitive proclamation that my sins were forgiven by the Lord. I feel my sins are forgiven when I pray directly to God, but to have a human voice with spiritual authority passed on down from Jesus would mean a lot to me.

Some may call me unrealistic, but I feel that if all evangelicals became Catholics but were able to keep and draw on their personal relationship with Christ that they already gained, it would be a needed “shot in the arm” of enthusiasm and zeal to Catholicism that would aid the current ‘New Evangelization’ effort that is taking place under the leadership of Pope Francis. People like Scott Hahn and Tim Staples were former evangelicals, as many of you know and represent a lot of the enthusiasm of the evangelical movement. I also feel evangelicals would become more well-rounded in the faith and their faith would grow more profoundly as Catholics.

On the Al Kresta program on EWTN, he used to quote that Catholics were “sacramentalized but not evangelized”. I think if more Catholics – who are already benefiting from the sacraments – were to experience a personal relationship with Christ in the same way that a lot of evangelicals already do, it would make them more well-rounded in the faith and would help Catholicism grow and make more of a positive difference in the world. I think Pope Francis sees this and I think JustaServant does, too, which may be a reason he brought up the subject, but that is just a hunch on my part.

 

[FollowChrist34]

These are some of the same things that have kept me from making the leap from evangelicalism to Catholic.

The lack of Catholics with a personal relationship with Christ. The majority of Catholics I know in real life are folks I would label “Cultural Catholics” who are Catholics because they were born that way and for whom religion is a set of rituals that include bowing, kneeling, signing, and rote prayers, etc. Then they generally go out into the real world and you’d have a hard time telling they were Christians. It’s like their faith is a compartmentalized piece of their identity that they take out for Mass and then tuck back into their shirts on the way out the door.

This is true. There are a lot of “bad” Catholics - this frustrates me. But the Catholic Church is the largest Church by far just because it is the original one and is spread everywhere ever since the beginning. And will you not agree there a lot of “bad” Protestants? Are you a fan of Joel Olsteen? He has millions of followers. I have an Evangelical friend who’s kids all support gay marriage - out of four kids, one has stayed religious. The rest are all completely secular.

Also, for my wife, who is a staunch evangelical Christian, plugging in to a friendly church is very important to her. Most Catholics admit that their parishes are not like that for the most part. My wife recently told me, “When I die, I want my church family to be there, too --not just my earthly family” (she was sexually abused as a little girl by members of her non-Christian family and is therefore not real close to them). If Catholics do not socialize with other Catholics much outside of one’s family, that would not be a good fit for her and I’m afraid she would be miserable and lonely without Christian fellowship with other ladies of the church with whom she could become friends.

This is a tough one. If I were you I would try out a few Catholic parishes with your wife. I think if your wife joined a women’s group or a charity drive or Bible Study, some program at the Church, she would have a much better chance of making friends. I don’t do this. That is part of why I don’t know that many people in the Church. If you and your wife found a parish you liked (try a few Masses - listen to the homilies, watch the people and priests) you could try the programs and classes. If you spot an approachable priest, talk to him or other parish administrators about joining the parish. Keep doing your own Church too of course. If nothing works out of course just stay where you are. I would try up to three parishes. This is just my suggestion - but the point I am making is there are ways to meet people at Catholic Churches - you won’t know until you try it and decide if you like it.

Some may call me unrealistic, but I feel that if all evangelicals became Catholics but were able to keep and draw on their personal relationship with Christ that they already gained, it would be a needed “shot in the arm” of enthusiasm and zeal to Catholicism that would aid the current ‘New Evangelization’ effort that is taking place under the leadership of Pope Francis. People like Scott Hahn and Tim Staples were former evangelicals, as many of you know and represent a lot of the enthusiasm of the evangelical movement. I also feel evangelicals would become more well-rounded in the faith and their faith would grow more profoundly as Catholics.

I agree. I think the Evangelical emphasis on closeness to God is a huge plus, especially combined with the Catholic liturgy and sacraments. I honestly see this as putting the body of Christ back together - one by one. I suspect God does too. I like Catholics who are former Protestants for just this reason. I can relate to them. And they are fun to tease.

On the Al Kresta program on EWTN, he used to quote that Catholics were “sacramentalized” but not “evangelized”. I think if more Catholics – who are already benefiting from the sacraments – were to experience a personal relationship with Christ in the same way that a lot of evangelicals already do, it would make them more well-rounded in the faith and would help Catholicism grow and make more of a positive difference in the world. I think Pope Francis sees this and I think JustaServant does, too, but that is just my opinion.

Again I totally agree - I have a Protestant streak in me a mile wide - wouldn’t trade it for the world. And I am a Catholic, through and through. Piece of cake.

 

[JustaServant]

How do you mean.

That is exacly what I thought when the geography and size of town was brought up. I live in a small town that doesn’t like growing, doesn’t like change and is probably 80% catholic, .5% non-denominational. Like you just said, many of them probably don’t know anything about non-denominationals outside what they were told and, my takeaway, would/could explain why they are so cold to me…what seems to be…one of only a few non-Catholics in the entire Parish.

I have no idea. Maybe you’re just in a weird town with weird people. I’ve encountered many such towns in my lifetime.
Maybe it’s that horn coming out of your head…
J/K.

 

[Tommy999]

This is true. There are a lot of “bad” Catholics - this frustrates me. But the Catholic Church is the largest Church by far just because it is the original one and is spread everywhere ever since the beginning. And will you not agree there a lot of “bad” Protestants? Are you a fan of Joel Olsteen? He has millions of followers. I have an Evangelical friend who’s kids all support gay marriage - out of four kids, one has stayed religious. The rest are all completely secular. .

Agreed, FollowChrist34. There are plenty of imperfect non-Catholic Christians out there and I am one of them. I’m not a big fan of Joel O, by the way. I think there is a time and place for positive thinking and encouragement, but if that’s all there is and no dealing with sin, it becomes spiritual fast food and not the true Gospel, but that’s just me.

This is a tough one. If I were you I would try out a few Catholic parishes with your wife. I think if your wife joined a women’s group or a charity drive or Bible Study, some program at the Church, she would have a much better chance of making friends. I don’t do this. That is part of why I don’t know that many people in the Church. If you and your wife found a parish you liked (try a few Masses - listen to the homilies, watch the people and priests) you could try the programs and classes. If you spot an approachable priest, talk to him or other parish administrators about joining the parish. Keep doing your own Church too of course. If nothing works out of course just stay where you are. I would try up to three parishes. This is just my suggestion - but the point I am making is there are ways to meet people at Catholic Churches - you won’t know until you try it and decide if you like it. .

We tried a Lutheran church a few weeks ago and may try a Catholic parish soon. She’s not real keen on Catholicism right now. Lutheranism was the closest “compromise” she could handle between our current denomination and Catholicism for the time being.

I agree. I think the Evangelical emphasis on closeness to God is a huge plus, especially combined with the Catholic liturgy and sacraments. I honestly see this as putting the body of Christ back together - one by one. I suspect God does too. I like Catholics who are former Protestants for just this reason. I can relate to them. And they are fun to tease.

I like your analogy and agree with it.

Again I totally agree - I have a Protestant streak in me a mile wide - wouldn’t trade it for the world. And I am a Catholic, through and through. Piece of cake.

I’m happy for you and wish you all the best, as well as all other Christians who might read this.

 

[FollowChrist34]

We tried a Lutheran church a few weeks ago and may try a Catholic parish soon. She’s not real keen on Catholicism right now. Lutheranism was the closest “compromise” she could handle between our current denomination and Catholicism for the time being.

I love Martin Luther. I read him a lot for a number of years when I was deciding to come back to Christianity as an adult - from atheism (born Catholic but my family left the Church when I was a kid). Luther got me into reading the Bible. You can’t go wrong with the Lutherans - go Missouri Synod if you can over ELCA but traditional leaning ELCA is fine. Good stepping stone to the Catholics. Think of yourself as on the road to recovery. (joking, joking) And I get the hating Catholic thing - my Evangelical friend is very suspicious of Mary, the Church, pedophiles everywhere, you name it, statutes, icons, superstitions. We NEVER talk about Catholicism vs. Evangelicalism in terms of apologetics; we respect the other’s choice - we do talk a lot about our shared faith in general though.

Best of luck.

 

[Tommy999]

I love Martin Luther. I read him a lot for a number of years when I was deciding to come back to Christianity as an adult - from atheism (born Catholic but my family left the Church when I was a kid). Luther got me into reading the Bible. You can’t go wrong with the Lutherans - go Missouri Synod if you can over ELCA but traditional leaning ELCA is fine. Good stepping stone to the Catholics. Think of yourself as on the road to recovery. (joking, joking) And I get the hating Catholic thing - my Evangelical friend is very suspicious of Mary, the Church, pedophiles everywhere, you name it, statutes, icons, superstitions. We NEVER talk about Catholicism vs. Evangelicalism in terms of apologetics; we respect the other’s choice - we do talk a lot about our shared faith in general though.

Best of luck.

Same to you, FollowChrist34. Yes, it was a LCMS parish that we visited, by the way.

I have been trying to explain to my wife that she should consider Mary and the saints as our heavenly prayer partners and that Mary deserves honor and respect for saying ‘Yes’ to God when she didn’t have to do that and for being there for Jesus not only at his birth but at the cross also, along with raising and loving him every step along the way.

She still thinks that Catholics go beyond honoring her and delve into worshipping her in the adoration sense, which we are against, but that’s another topic for a different thread because I know Catholics deny doing that in the way that some Protestants believe Catholics do.

 

[z_0101]

Same to you, FollowChrist34. Yes, it was a LCMS parish that we visited, by the way.

I have been trying to explain to my wife that she should consider Mary and the saints as our heavenly prayer partners and that Mary deserves honor and respect for saying ‘Yes’ to God when she didn’t have to do that and for being there for Jesus not only at his birth but at the cross also, along with raising and loving him every step along the way.

She still thinks that Catholics go beyond honoring her and delve into worshipping her in the adoration sense, which we are against, but that’s another topic for a different thread because I know Catholics deny doing that in the way that some Protestants believe Catholics do.

R C I A

Even if she doesn’t convert.
A good program will clear up a lot of those mis-understandings.

 

[Peter_J]

Well, I for one agree there is coldness and I don’t think it is reverence.

Right. In other words, some don’t act Catholic.