Why Is Catholicism So Unattractive to Evangelicals?

[Darryl_B]

I will agree with you too. Over the years, I have seen bowing, genuflecting, kneeling, kissing, touching, and once or twice prostration in front of statues. I assumed this was pretty standard prayer gestures for Roman Catholics.

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.

Jesus Christ is in heaven. How does one bow to Him if one has the desire to do so. Should I look to the East, should I look to the West. It is probably easier if we don’t feel any compulsion to bow to Jesus Christ in the first place. That way watchers wont feel so uncomfortable? And when we stand before the throne, we will be very fluent at standing before the throne.

 

[AbideWithMe]

Therefore you will never hear the Lord’s Prayer recited in an evangelical church.

False.

 

[Darryl_B]

False.

I was evangelical christian for 18 years attended many many evangelical churches and never once said the Lords Prayer.

 

[Reuben_J]

I will agree with you too. Over the years, I have seen bowing, genuflecting, kneeling, kissing, touching, and once or twice prostration in front of statues. I assumed this was pretty standard prayer gestures for Roman Catholics.

I would not say up to that extent though. Even though in Catholic worship, that is the mass, there is no bowing to statues, as none is involved and therefore there is nothing in GIRM about instructing you to bow before statues, there is indeed one that I can think about. That is the veneration of the wood of the cross in Good Friday service.

Referring to the poster who witnessed Catholics bowing to statues, well, probably that was the one - the veneration of the cross. That was done once a year and if that poster witnessed this and said Catholics bowing to statue, he was probably what we call a ‘Good Friday Catholic’. There are Catholics who would only come for this type of service or mass - once or twice a year.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I would not say up to that extent though. Even though in Catholic worship, that is the mass, there is no bowing to statues, as none is involved and therefore there is nothing in GIRM about instructing you to bow before statues, there is indeed one that I can think about. That is the veneration of the wood of the cross in Good Friday service.

Referring to the poster who witnessed Catholics bowing to statues, well, probably that was the one - the veneration of the cross. That was done once a year and if that poster witnessed this and said Catholics bowing to statue, he was probably what we call a ‘Good Friday Catholic’. There are Catholics who would only come for this type of service or mass - once or twice a year.

If anything I would say that ComplineSanFran did not go far enough. After my decades as a priest, I have seen people bow to a statue, bow to the side altar where the statue is enshrined, kneel before the statue, kiss the statue. It is rare but, yes, I have seen a person prostrate themselves before the statue.

I was once in the church tidying up after Mass and a young woman came in, walked up to our shrine of the Blessed Virgin, and sang the Ave Maria of Schubert and then turned and promptly walked out…it was impeccably sung and I am sure she had to be a professional because of how she sang it.

I have also seen people light candles before the statue. When I was at our Marian shrine, I spent a couple of hours a day creating floral arrangements out of bouquets of flowers that people would bring as a tribute to the Madonna. Also processions with statues carried by an honor guard. It also needs to be articulated that in various cultures, the use of sacred images is more or less extensive.

There are even moments in the liturgies of both east and west when the sacred images are incensed.

Most of these things I have done personally. Even on a regular basis.

Now it must be said that I can also explain the legitimate theology behind each of these actions. They can be perfectly appropriate manifestations of piety. And when I am instructing those becoming Catholic, I do explain it in detail. And I also specifically say that there are moments when it can seem that the image really is the object of the attention and of the affection in spite of what the Church articulates and practices. And, frankly, there are moments when it very well may be because of the level of the person acting. When we have a May crowning and the children are offering their crowns to the Blessed Virgin, whatever has been said to them, I cannot say that a six year old child has truly and perfectly understood and can unerringly relate the subtle nuances I have tried to articulate here anymore than I can have an exhaustive discussion with them about the fine points of transubstantiation relative to the Eucharist.

The theology that underlies the veneration of sacred images is given short shrift when one simply compares it to the photograph of a loved one. Such an approach also hardly does justice to the issue the Church, especially in the East, confronted with iconoclasm. One does not normally light a candle, decorate with bouquets of flowers, and otherwise venerate photos of family members in the way that happens with icons and statues. A community reacts differently to a blessed and installed image at the church being desecrated than we would to a photo of the bishop being destroyed. The theology of icons, particularly, is a very rich one, more so than our practice in the west.

The sacred image is certainly not worshiped. This must be clearly said. The love and veneration for the Blessed Mother or the Saint or the love and adoration for Christ are for them – and the image is a tangible thing which allows us to have a contact with and to make an expression to who the image depicts although the image is in no way them.

This is simply a very alien concept to those who are not familiar with this aspect of the use of sacred images…be the observer Jewish, Muslim, or various non-Catholic/non-Orthodox Christians – and that simply has to be acknowledged and our actions explained in cogent terms with concepts that are understandable. That it is legitimate and that it is explainable…yes. That someone can intuit what is happening and put the experience into a proper framework unaided? No.

To such non Catholic/non Orthodox who would see these actions, I have no doubt the gestures they see could cause wonderment and misunderstanding, based on where they are coming from. Just as Catholics accustomed to the vetus ordo Mass would be taken aback by a sudden expression of glossolalia in Pentecostal worship or a Catholic charismatic movement prayer meeting.

Among the things said that are correct: For the occidental Churches, the images should not be venerated DURING Mass, apart from the Good Friday liturgical celebration. Images, apart from venerating the Cross on Good Friday, should not be genuflected to, although there is a variant rubric on this issue relative to the vetus ordo

 

[Peter_J]

I will agree with you too. Over the years, I have seen bowing, genuflecting, kneeling, kissing, touching, and once or twice prostration in front of statues. I assumed this was pretty standard prayer gestures for Roman Catholics.

(emphasis added)

I’m strongly tempted to say “No, you didn’t”, but I’ll try not to because I really don’t think that would help the attempts at dialogue between non-Catholics and non-Protestants.

But I’d say that if you really saw Catholics and they were genuflecting to statues, and if ComplineSanFran is your real name, then those Catholics were not well informed about Catholic practices.

(Note that we do genuflect to Christ in the tabernacle, since he is God.)

 

[Reuben_J]

If anything I would say that ComplineSanFran did not go far enough. After my decades as a priest, I have seen people bow to a statue, bow to the side altar where the statue is enshrined, kneel before the statue, kiss the statue. It is rare but, yes, I have seen a person prostrate themselves before the statue.

I was once in the church tidying up after Mass and a young woman came in, walked up to our shrine of the Blessed Virgin, and sang the Ave Maria of Schubert and then turned and promptly walked out…it was impeccably sung and I am sure she had to be a professional because of how she sang it.

I have also seen people light candles before the statue. When I was at our Marian shrine, I spent a couple of hours a day creating floral arrangements out of bouquets of flowers that people would bring as a tribute to the Madonna. Also processions with statues carried by an honor guard. It also needs to be articulated that in various cultures, the use of sacred images is more or less extensive.

There are even moments in the liturgies of both east and west when the sacred images are incensed.

Most of these things I have done personally. Even on a regular basis.

Now it must be said that I can also explain the legitimate theology behind each of these actions. They can be perfectly appropriate manifestations of piety. And when I am instructing those becoming Catholic, I do explain it in detail. And I also specifically say that there are moments when it can seem that the image really is the object of the attention and of the affection in spite of what the Church articulates and practices. And, frankly, there are moments when it very well may be because of the level of the person acting. When we have a May crowning and the children are offering their crowns to the Blessed Virgin, whatever has been said to them, I cannot say that a six year old child has truly and perfectly understood and can unerringly relate the subtle nuances I have tried to articulate here anymore than I can have an exhaustive discussion with them about the fine points of transubstantiation relative to the Eucharist.

The theology that underlies the veneration of sacred images is given short shrift when one simply compares it to the photograph of a loved one. Such an approach also hardly does justice to the issue the Church, especially in the East, confronted with iconoclasm. One does not normally light a candle, decorate with bouquets of flowers, and otherwise venerate photos of family members in the way that happens with icons and statues. A community reacts differently to a blessed and installed image at the church being desecrated than we would to a photo of the bishop being destroyed. The theology of icons, particularly, is a very rich one, more so than our practice in the west.

The sacred image is certainly not worshiped. This must be clearly said. The love and veneration for the Blessed Mother or the Saint or the love and adoration for Christ are for them – and the image is a tangible thing which allows us to have a contact with and to make an expression to who the image depicts although the image is in no way them.

This is simply a very alien concept to those who are not familiar with this aspect of the use of sacred images…be the observer Jewish, Muslim, or various non-Catholic/non-Orthodox Christians – and that simply has to be acknowledged and our actions explained in cogent terms with concepts that are understandable. That it is legitimate and that it is explainable…yes. That someone can intuit what is happening and put the experience into a proper framework unaided? No.

To such non Catholic/non Orthodox who would see these actions, I have no doubt the gestures they see could cause wonderment and misunderstanding, based on where they are coming from. Just as Catholics accustomed to the vetus ordo Mass would be taken aback by a sudden expression of glossolalia in Pentecostal worship or a Catholic charismatic movement prayer meeting.

Among the things said that are correct: For the occidental Churches, the images should not be venerated DURING Mass, apart from the Good Friday liturgical celebration. Images, apart from venerating the Cross on Good Friday, should not be genuflected to, although there is a variant rubric on this issue relative to the vetus ordo

Thanks for the explanation and the sharing of experience of seeing Catholics bowing before statues. It is certainly by no means standard as rightly observed but there is no denying that yes, there are Catholics who do it. Despite the justification, I doubt any Evangelicals would be convinced that it is right to worship or rather, pray that way.

I am tempted to recall as an altar server those days when we were kids, we would bow to the priest (all the times) and he to us. Would Protestants interpret this as abomination?

Prostrating and dancing though something perfectly logical and natural as an outward display of worship for someone with a strong Charismatic background, they nevertheless can be admittedly disconcerting for those who do not. And rightly so. Maybe that can apply for Catholics and their statues.

More importantly, and it never can be emphasized enough, that the statues are not worshiped per se. We lay people would often explain it as tools to help us focusing in prayers. Putting a crucifix or a statue of our Lady in a retreat environment would help greatly help in creating an atmosphere of reverence and love for them but that is of course understanding they are the focus of adoration rather than the statues themselves.

 

[Wannano]

If anything I would say that ComplineSanFran did not go far enough. After my decades as a priest, I have seen people bow to a statue, bow to the side altar where the statue is enshrined, kneel before the statue, kiss the statue. It is rare but, yes, I have seen a person prostrate themselves before the statue.

I was once in the church tidying up after Mass and a young woman came in, walked up to our shrine of the Blessed Virgin, and sang the Ave Maria of Schubert and then turned and promptly walked out…it was impeccably sung and I am sure she had to be a professional because of how she sang it.

I have also seen people light candles before the statue. When I was at our Marian shrine, I spent a couple of hours a day creating floral arrangements out of bouquets of flowers that people would bring as a tribute to the Madonna. Also processions with statues carried by an honor guard. It also needs to be articulated that in various cultures, the use of sacred images is more or less extensive.

There are even moments in the liturgies of both east and west when the sacred images are incensed.

Most of these things I have done personally. Even on a regular basis.

Now it must be said that I can also explain the legitimate theology behind each of these actions. They can be perfectly appropriate manifestations of piety. And when I am instructing those becoming Catholic, I do explain it in detail. And I also specifically say that there are moments when it can seem that the image really is the object of the attention and of the affection in spite of what the Church articulates and practices. And, frankly, there are moments when it very well may be because of the level of the person acting. When we have a May crowning and the children are offering their crowns to the Blessed Virgin, whatever has been said to them, I cannot say that a six year old child has truly and perfectly understood and can unerringly relate the subtle nuances I have tried to articulate here anymore than I can have an exhaustive discussion with them about the fine points of transubstantiation relative to the Eucharist.

The theology that underlies the veneration of sacred images is given short shrift when one simply compares it to the photograph of a loved one. Such an approach also hardly does justice to the issue the Church, especially in the East, confronted with iconoclasm. One does not normally light a candle, decorate with bouquets of flowers, and otherwise venerate photos of family members in the way that happens with icons and statues. A community reacts differently to a blessed and installed image at the church being desecrated than we would to a photo of the bishop being destroyed. The theology of icons, particularly, is a very rich one, more so than our practice in the west.

The sacred image is certainly not worshiped. This must be clearly said. The love and veneration for the Blessed Mother or the Saint or the love and adoration for Christ are for them – and the image is a tangible thing which allows us to have a contact with and to make an expression to who the image depicts although the image is in no way them.

This is simply a very alien concept to those who are not familiar with this aspect of the use of sacred images…be the observer Jewish, Muslim, or various non-Catholic/non-Orthodox Christians – and that simply has to be acknowledged and our actions explained in cogent terms with concepts that are understandable. That it is legitimate and that it is explainable…yes. That someone can intuit what is happening and put the experience into a proper framework unaided? No.

To such non Catholic/non Orthodox who would see these actions, I have no doubt the gestures they see could cause wonderment and misunderstanding, based on where they are coming from. Just as Catholics accustomed to the vetus ordo Mass would be taken aback by a sudden expression of glossolalia in Pentecostal worship or a Catholic charismatic movement prayer meeting.

Among the things said that are correct: For the occidental Churches, the images should not be venerated DURING Mass, apart from the Good Friday liturgical celebration. Images, apart from venerating the Cross on Good Friday, should not be genuflected to, although there is a variant rubric on this issue relative to the vetus ordo

Thank you for this frank and open minded explanation. You have deepened my understanding of what may be happening in the mind of the worshipper which may not be what it appears to someone not familiar with the practice.

Two questions for you:

1. I know Catholics believe Jesus is in heaven and yet they bow to the Tabernacle where I believe the Hosts are stored. Could you explain why? I notice that when people come to a funeral if they want to participate in the Eucharist that day that they place a wafer in the dish provided before they enter the sanctuary but they do not bow to the wafer at the entrance.
2. I am a non-catholic and yet I often am asked to join them to help the men’s voices in the choir for funerals (smaller community so men committed to jobs may not be able to be there)
   Since I love my Catholic neighbors and love singing I am pleased to do this…As a non-Catholic should I be bowing when I walk past the Tabernacle and or Altar? I don’t feel comfortable to do it because it is foreign to me and I don’t want to be a hypocrite yet I don’t want to be seen as disrespectful.

 

[Reuben_J]

Thank you for this frank and open minded explanation. You have deepened my understanding of what may be happening in the mind of the worshipper which may not be what it appears to someone not familiar with the practice.

Two questions for you:

1. I know Catholics believe Jesus is in heaven and yet they bow to the Tabernacle where I believe the Hosts are stored. Could you explain why? I notice that when people come to a funeral if they want to participate in the Eucharist that day that they place a wafer in the dish provided before they enter the sanctuary but they do not bow to the wafer at the entrance.
2. I am a non-catholic and yet I often am asked to join them to help the men’s voices in the choir for funerals (smaller community so men committed to jobs may not be able to be there)
   Since I love my Catholic neighbors and love singing I am pleased to do this…As a non-Catholic should I be bowing when I walk past the Tabernacle and or Altar? I don’t feel comfortable to do it because it is foreign to me and I don’t want to be a hypocrite yet I don’t want to be seen as disrespectful.

I will let Fr. Ruggero to answer your question but I am online now, I would just respond briefly.

I commend you for willing to give a hand with Catholic service. In my place, helping in funeral service would be deeply appreciated by the bereaved family and more so if they realize that you are non-Catholic.

As for your questions:

1. I am not sure about the ‘wafer in the dish’. If it is a consecrated host, it is not normally done that way, so it might be a local practice. The tabernacle is a place where the consecrated hosts are kept. Catholics believe them as true Body and Blood of Jesus and therefore bowing before the tabernacle is a gesture of reverence and worship for God.
2. No, as a non-Catholic you do not have to do anything like bowing or genuflecting. I am often involved in liturgy during wedding or funeral masses, and one of the announcements we would make in the beginning was to tell non-Catholics that they do not have to kneel together with Catholics during some period of the mass when they would do so. Of course we also tell them not to come for the Holy Communion.

Of course if you feel like doing so (bowing , genuflecting or kneeling), it is perfectly alright.

God bless.

Edit: Be careful though. Do not step onto the sanctuary, the place (usually elevated) where the altar is located as a sign of respect as it is considered holy.

 

[Wannano]

I will let Fr. Ruggero to answer your question but I am online now, I would just respond briefly.

I commend you for willing to give a hand with Catholic service. In my place, helping in funeral service would be deeply appreciated by the bereaved family and more so if they realize that you are non-Catholic.

As for your questions:

1. I am not sure about the ‘wafer in the dish’. If it is a consecrated host, it is not normally done that way, so it might be a local practice. The tabernacle is a place where the consecrated hosts are kept. Catholics believe them as true Body and Blood of Jesus and therefore bowing before the tabernacle is a gesture of reverence and worship for God.
2. No, as a non-Catholic you do not have to do anything like bowing or genuflecting. I am often involved in liturgy during wedding or funeral masses, and one of the announcements we would make in the beginning was to tell non-Catholics that they do not have to kneel together with Catholics during some period of the mass when they would do so. Of course we also tell them not to come for the Holy Communion.

Of course if you feel like doing so (bowing , genuflecting or kneeling), it is perfectly alright.

God bless.

Edit: Be careful though. Do not step onto the sanctuary, the place (usually elevated) where the altar is located as a sign of respect as it is considered holy.

Thanks for that, the host at the back of the church would not yet be consecrated. I understand the reasoning for the Tabernacle. Once a priest said, “if you’re Catholic come up for communion, if your Protestant sit down”. Seemed sort of crass with his tone of voice. Lately it has been said “if your are not Catholic and want a blessing come up with your arms folded across your chest and you are welcome to receive it”. Very classy and respectful.

 

[Kielbasi]

Needless to say, there is a lot of difference between Catholic piety, and the religious fervor of the evangelicals.

But the real story behind the OP is that people committed to evangelicalism aren’t attracted by any other traditions. Its the same with committed Catholics , who aren’t likely to find a protestant evangelist compelling or Jehovah Witnesses or whomever.

People who change religions are usually on the edge, uncommitted, often less involved.

The term “evangelical” implies a bit more fervor, a lukewarm evangelical would be more likely to describe themselves as Presbyterian or Methodist or a “Protestant” as opposed to using the term “Evangelical”.

 

[Reuben_J]

Thanks for that, the host at the back of the church would not yet be consecrated. I understand the reasoning for the Tabernacle. Once a priest said, “if you’re Catholic come up for communion, if your Protestant sit down”. Seemed sort of crass with his tone of voice. Lately it has been said “if your are not Catholic and want a blessing come up with your arms folded across your chest and you are welcome to receive it”. Very classy and respectful.

I agree with you. Some people have very poor human skill and they definitely include priests who can be very grumpy and functional. Don Ruggero, a poster here, is more of an exception who would give you a one full page explanation on a simple issue. Not all priests would have the patience to do that.

If you have a lay person assisting in the liturgy, usually this is explained at the beginning of the mass. It is not mandatory but with the realization that there are obviously non-Catholics in the congregation especially friends and relatives who come for wedding or funeral mass, it is good to let them know what to expect. Partly it is to avoid any untoward or awkward moment for everybody.

It could be said nicely or diplomatically, like, “This is a solemn occasion. We would appreciate if you can turn off your cell-phones so as not to distract the mass. There will be a time when Catholics have to kneel and as for our non-Catholic friends, you may sit down. The Holy Communion is for practicing Catholics only, and the rest may sit down.”

We usually do not encourage non-Catholics to go up for blessing during Holy Communion but if they do, they would receive blessing none the less.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

I would not say up to that extent though. Even though in Catholic worship, that is the mass, there is no bowing to statues, as none is involved and therefore there is nothing in GIRM about instructing you to bow before statues, there is indeed one that I can think about. That is the veneration of the wood of the cross in Good Friday service.

The people I witnessed praying before statues were doing so, I assume, privately. I don’t think it had anything to do with the Mass or Good Friday liturgies.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

(emphasis added)

I’m strongly tempted to say “No, you didn’t”, but I’ll try not to because I really don’t think that would help the attempts at dialogue between non-Catholics and non-Protestants.

But I’d say that if you really saw Catholics and they were genuflecting to statues, and if ComplineSanFran is your real name, then those Catholics were not well informed about Catholic practices.

(Note that we do genuflect to Christ in the tabernacle, since he is God.)

Sorry? My real name? (Scratching head).

I have seen people on many occasions genuflecting before a statue. It usually happens before and/or after lighting a candle. I’m not sure why this causes you to question my screen name.

 

[Della]

The people I witnessed praying before statues were doing so, I assume, privately. I don’t think it had anything to do with the Mass or Good Friday liturgies.

Yes, this is a private devotion, not part of the Church’s liturgies. :yup:

An anecdote about kneeling and praying before statues: while I was still a member of the Assemblies of God, I saw an older woman kneel before a statue of Jesus, silently pray, rise, place a kiss on her fingertips, and then touch the statue’s hand. At that moment I realized that, contrary to what I’d been told about Catholics “worshiping” statues, she had rather, given physical expression to her devotion to the Lord.

That simple act inspired me to be more tolerant of others means of showing the Lord their deepest adoration–their devotion to the saints. (Not that you aren’t tolerant ,dear ComplineSanFran–just speaking generally.) I later learned more about the theology behind such devotion, when I explored becoming Catholic. I believe I was meant to see that simple devotional gesture at that time in my life. It warmed my heart towards that sweet older lady, and open my eyes to such devotion in ways all the explanations in the world couldn’t have.

 

[Peter_J]

Originally Posted by Peter J
(emphasis added)

Note to inquisition: subject shows considerable distress when name is questioned. Physical characteristics should be checked against list of notorious sinners.

Heh. No, I kid.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

An anecdote about kneeling and praying before statues: while I was still a member of the Assemblies of God, I saw an older woman kneel before a statue of Jesus, silently pray, rise, place a kiss on her fingertips, and then touch the statue’s hand. At that moment I realized that, contrary to what I’d been told about Catholics “worshiping” statues, she had rather, given physical expression to her devotion to the Lord.

That simple act inspired me to be more tolerant of others means of showing the Lord their deepest adoration–their devotion to the saints. (Not that you aren’t tolerant ,dear ComplineSanFran–just speaking generally.) I later learned more about the theology behind such devotion, when I explored becoming Catholic. I believe I was meant to see that simple devotional gesture at that time in my life. It warmed my heart towards that sweet older lady, and open my eyes to such devotion in ways all the explanations in the world couldn’t have.

Thank you for this very tender story.

When I attend Jewish Shabbat services, I love when the Torah is brought into the congregation (after reading the Portion for the week) and those present kiss the Scroll. Such a loving gesture.

In my parish, we also process with the Gospel book after it is read and people reach out to touch it or to kiss it.

Icons are also venerated with a kiss (and we have many in my parish), although I believe that the theology of such veneration is a bit different than honoring the Torah/Gospel or even the consecrated Host.

I wonder what Evangelicals think of Eastern traditions. I realize they are not so well known, or even observed, as Roman ones, but I would enjoy hearing from others.

 

[Peter_J]

Thank you for this frank and open minded explanation. You have deepened my understanding of what may be happening in the mind of the worshipper which may not be what it appears to someone not familiar with the practice.

Two questions for you:

1. I know Catholics believe Jesus is in heaven and yet they bow to the Tabernacle where I believe the Hosts are stored. Could you explain why? I notice that when people come to a funeral if they want to participate in the Eucharist that day that they place a wafer in the dish provided before they enter the sanctuary but they do not bow to the wafer at the entrance.

Thanks for that, the host at the back of the church would not yet be consecrated.

Exactly. Whereas unconsumed (extra) consecrated hosts are stored in the tabernacle after the liturgy, to be consumed at a later mass.

 

[Peter_J]

1. I am a non-catholic and yet I often am asked to join them to help the men’s voices in the choir for funerals (smaller community so men committed to jobs may not be able to be there)
   Since I love my Catholic neighbors and love singing I am pleased to do this…As a non-Catholic should I be bowing when I walk past the Tabernacle and or Altar? I don’t feel comfortable to do it because it is foreign to me and I don’t want to be a hypocrite yet I don’t want to be seen as disrespectful.

From my own experience: when in, say, an Anglican or Lutheran church, I bow to the tabernacle rather than genuflecting. The specific reason for that is that Rome doesn’t officially recognize their Eucharist as valid (in fact, if one of their ministers converts to Catholicism, he needs to be reordained or conditionally reordained in order to be considered a Catholic priest) but that’s beside the point: the point is that you don’t have to genuflect just because we genuflect.

Having said that, I guess you could make the sign of the cross if that’s part of your tradition (but presumably it isn’t).

 

[Peter_J]

Needless to say, there is a lot of difference between Catholic piety, and the religious fervor of the evangelicals.

But the real story behind the OP is that people committed to evangelicalism aren’t attracted by any other traditions. Its the same with committed Catholics , who aren’t likely to find a protestant evangelist compelling or Jehovah Witnesses or whomever.

+1