Why would someone choose a Protestant Religion over Catholicism?

[elgar]

I’ve never been Protestant, and I’m only college age, so maybe someone here can help me understand something.

When I hear my Protestant friends talk about what their Church/Religion believes and how it works, it seems to be very disorganized and unclear.

There usually isn’t a central book, like the catechism, where people can go to learn about their Church’s theology.

There isn’t a central figure, like the Pope, that is actively speaking on behalf of the Church to many leaders of countries and organizations.

There usually isn’t a uniform doctrine and liturgy that connects the different churches together.

Overall, I just get a feeling that there isn’t much advice/guidelines that the Church gives for everyday life.

It seems that there is the Pastor’s sermon, and that’s about it.

I’m sorry if I wrote this in an insensitive way. I’m having trouble articulating my thoughts and it results in them sounding rather rude.

This might answer some of your questions:

ncronline.org/blogs/essays-theology/disaffected-catholics-and-bad-catholics

Very interesting article. I, being a former Catholic, have my own reasons–most having to due with worship issues. I must say I work a lot harder at my faith since I made the decision to leave the CC.

The article explains what I’ve suspected for a very long time since Protestant rolls are well represented with former RCs. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life in a released survery, nearly 1/3 of Catholics have left the church. This means 10% today are former Catholics and makes for the second largest religious body after the Catholic Church itself. Apparently most of the lapsed just quit going to church altogether.

Some Catholic Theologian once said it would be better to be a good Protestant than a bad Catholic.

 

[rinnie]

I’ve never been Protestant, and I’m only college age, so maybe someone here can help me understand something.

When I hear my Protestant friends talk about what their Church/Religion believes and how it works, it seems to be very disorganized and unclear.

There usually isn’t a central book, like the catechism, where people can go to learn about their Church’s theology.

There isn’t a central figure, like the Pope, that is actively speaking on behalf of the Church to many leaders of countries and organizations.

There usually isn’t a uniform doctrine and liturgy that connects the different churches together.

Overall, I just get a feeling that there isn’t much advice/guidelines that the Church gives for everyday life.

It seems that there is the Pastor’s sermon, and that’s about it.

I’m sorry if I wrote this in an insensitive way. I’m having trouble articulating my thoughts and it results in them sounding rather rude.

There is no more respect and honor in the world today like there used to be.

Today you see Children who do not even repect their own parents, teachers, police, etc. How in the world do you think they will respect the Pope.

 

[CMatt25]

Yes, but it depends on the Catholic. Many Protestants we run into nowadays are newer converts to evangelical type churches. Cradle Catholics, OTOH, who’ve not explored the faith very deeply may often be less certain of-and excited about- why they’re there.

I agree with BartBurk about Protestants generally seeming to be happier with their religion. One thing I have often chalked this up to is that they are not told they are committing mortal sin if they miss a Sunday. So they are there because they choose to and want to be there. Not because of being told mortal sin is hanging over their heads. Cradle Catholics on the otherhand are told if they disobey and miss going to Mass on one weekend or HDofO and die unrepentant with this on their soul, it is a mortal sin.

I do believe Catholics who have chosen the faith later in life might have greater zest or zeal than some Cradle Catholics. But I also believe Cradle Catholics can “explore the faith very deeply” and yet often still come away unexcited. It truly isn’t always the case of oh, well then you were not properly catechized or your conscience is ill-informed. When it perhaps is simply a matter of some different faith beliefs.

God bless you and all who seek the Truth along their faith journeys in and with peace.

 

[tabbey48]

There is no more respect and honor in the world today like there used to be.

Today you see Children who do not even repect their own parents, teachers, police, etc. How in the world do you think they will respect the Pope.

IMO, the problem is not so much with “children” as with adults, many of whom have been Catholic for many years. Sadly, I have even heard Priests and Religious speak of the Pope with much less respect than he deserves.

Perhaps we need to be asking some serious questions (and getting some serious answers) of ourselves as Catholics instead of taking jabs at the Protestants…just a thought. But don’t mind me; I’m a convert.

 

[rinnie]

IMO, the problem is not so much with “children” as with adults, many of whom have been Catholic for many years. Sadly, I have even heard Priests and Religious speak of the Pope with much less respect than he deserves.

Perhaps we need to be asking some serious questions (and getting some serious answers) of ourselves as Catholics instead of taking jabs at the Protestants…just a thought. But don’t mind me; I’m a convert.

You are correct many Catholic’s have to not only learn their faith better, should learn to live it.

It seems to me that Catholic’s are held to higher standards then other faiths. And I can see why. We have the fullness of the truth. But we need to pray more for the Grace of God to live the fullness of the truth.

 

[Stepson]

I do believe Catholics who have chosen the faith later in life might have greater zest or zeal than some Cradle Catholics.

Interesting comment. Can you expand on why you feel this way? The reason I ask, is I know a lot of former Catholics. Everyone of the former Catholics that I can think of is a cradle Catholic and not a Neophyte (is that a correct term?).

 

[WarriorAngel]

I agree with BartBurk about Protestants generally seeming to be happier with their religion. One thing I have often chalked this up to is that they are not told they are committing mortal sin if they miss a Sunday. So they are there because they choose to and want to be there. Not because of being told mortal sin is hanging over their heads. Cradle Catholics on the otherhand are told if they disobey and miss going to Mass on one weekend or HDofO and die unrepentant with this on their soul, it is a mortal sin.

An easier path in this life doesnt necessarily mean it is the right path.

I do believe Catholics who have chosen the faith later in life might have greater zest or zeal than some Cradle Catholics. But I also believe Cradle Catholics can “explore the faith very deeply” and yet often still come away unexcited. It truly isn’t always the case of oh, well then you were not properly catechized or your conscience is ill-informed. When it perhaps is simply a matter of some different faith beliefs.

God bless you and all who seek the Truth along their faith journeys in and with peace.

How many ppl are excited over something they take for granted.

Couples married for many years still love one another, but the juices dont flow quite as they did at one time. Does this mean the marriage stinks, or perhaps the couple started taking what they have for granted?

I am a Cradle Catholic and due to circumstances / experiences in my life - my zeal is pretty up there. All by the grace of God.

Jesus said, ‘Those who are forgiven for more, are more thankful.’

He also said - ‘You are neither hot or cold and i will spit you out.’
So prayerfully no one is lukewarm, but rather those who struggle and still remain faithful may have more merit in the end.
Many who convert usually study hard before making the decision, so they might have more knowledge under their belt…and the zeal is that they converted before their judgment and are truly thankful for their forgiveness.

One other thot - so many outside the Church seek and seek for that ‘special’ relationship with the Lord…
In the Church we receive Him fully and Bodily - consuming His Being [Eucharist]. Nothing is closer to Him than that. [Which is why we ought not take it for granted]

 

[fhansen]

Couples married for many years still love one another, but the juices dont flow quite as they did at one time. Does this mean the marriage stinks, or perhaps the couple started taking what they have for granted?

I really think this is it. For myself, I had to leave the Church pretty young in life in order to find out, later on, something of how valuable she is-sort of like Adam & Eve or the Prodigal not realizing how good they had it where they were. And this can just plain take time. My wanderings into and back out of Protestantism were an important part of the whole journey, which I continue to appreciate, as other posters have mentioned they do as well.

I’ve also come to realize that none of this should have anything to do with our preferences for different styles of Church services. The Catholic Mass is of a different order altogether than many Protestant services, where we’re there primarily to focus on the Eucharist. Regardless of how I might prefer it, this is the way the Christian faith has always done things and there really is no other way, IMO, within limits.

 

[WarriorAngel]

I really think this is it. For myself, I had to leave the Church pretty young in life in order to find out, later on, something of how valuable she is-sort of like Adam & Eve or the Prodigal not realizing how good they had it where they were. And this can just plain take time. My wanderings into and back out of Protestantism were an important part of the whole journey, which I continue to appreciate, as other posters have mentioned they do as well.

I’ve also come to realize that none of this should have anything to do with our preferences for different styles of Church services. The Catholic Mass is of a different order altogether than many Protestant services, where we’re there primarily to focus on the Eucharist. Regardless of how I might prefer it, this is the way the Christian faith has always done things and there really is no other way, IMO, within limits.

I have been to protestant services.
I see it …, i am thinking of a polite way to phrase this - perhaps over zealous for their own opinions.

I see little of the services worshiping God. Perhaps being used to the Liturgy has spoiled me immensely. The ones i have attended were filled with secular music, literally. Whatever nice [tho somewhat old] version of ‘You light up my life’ or something of that genre was played, it didnt seem as a focus on the Lord.

In fact, it seemed much less - [finding the word] - controlled - and less practical to follow. IE< i am used to the system of things in order with tons of scriptures involved. Our songs are psalms and our songs reflect worship and praise of the pious flavor.

I understand ppl feel emotional. I saw it. But i just love the way the Church works. What i heard on Sunday [or any day] someone else of the same Rite heard also, across the world. Pretty unified.

Anyway - i digress.

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

I’ve never been Protestant, and I’m only college age, so maybe someone here can help me understand something.

When I hear my Protestant friends talk about what their Church/Religion believes and how it works, it seems to be very disorganized and unclear.

There usually isn’t a central book, like the catechism, where people can go to learn about their Church’s theology.

There isn’t a central figure, like the Pope, that is actively speaking on behalf of the Church to many leaders of countries and organizations.

There usually isn’t a uniform doctrine and liturgy that connects the different churches together.

Overall, I just get a feeling that there isn’t much advice/guidelines that the Church gives for everyday life.

It seems that there is the Pastor’s sermon, and that’s about it.

I’m sorry if I wrote this in an insensitive way. I’m having trouble articulating my thoughts and it results in them sounding rather rude.

To justify adhering to the norms portrayed by the secular world and still some how believe they will end up in heaven when they die.

 

[Stepson]

I have been to protestant services.
I see it …, i am thinking of a polite way to phrase this - perhaps over zealous for their own opinions.

I see little of the services worshiping God. Perhaps being used to the Liturgy has spoiled me immensely. The ones i have attended were filled with secular music, literally. Whatever nice [tho somewhat old] version of ‘You light up my life’ or something of that genre was played, it didnt seem as a focus on the Lord.

In fact, it seemed much less - [finding the word] - controlled - and less practical to follow. IE< i am used to the system of things in order with tons of scriptures involved. Our songs are psalms and our songs reflect worship and praise of the pious flavor.

I understand ppl feel emotional. I saw it. But i just love the way the Church works. What i heard on Sunday [or any day] someone else of the same Rite heard also, across the world. Pretty unified.

Anyway - i digress.

You bring up a funny memory for me. For a time, my wife and I attended one of those praise worship non-denomination churches. Members of the congregation would ofter shout out during the service. When they did this, the voice of Reverend Lovejoy from the Simpsons would come to mind when he would say, “Can we please not yell out things in the church people.” I would giggle and my wife would nudge me.

 

[Califman831]

When did I even state or suggest all churches/faiths are equal roads to God? Better yet,we are ALL God’s creation and more than ever we need Him now to guide us into His Truth so we can be ONE Church.Second, approach has nothing to do with the greater picture; it starts with attitude my friend.Third, no human is superior to another regardless what church or relgion he or she belongs to. To God we are ALL part of his human family. And no offense,but your approach is not what the pope now uses or the one prior to him. As for the modernist approach? And what “ancient” approach are suggesting we use or implement?

I may be laying on you some of the anger I have felt in reading the threads.
The false notion that all roads lead to God is prevalent throughout the modern church. That attitude is present on several threads. The Church must be clear in its declaration there is only One church that has the fullness of truth and its the Catholic Church, not the protestant church, not the Buddhist church, and not any sort of pagan church. The Catholic Church matters because it transmits the clear teachings of God. What love or charity is there in letting your brothers and sisters attend a false church that speaks against the one church established by God, or one that is totally oblivious to him.

would you allow your brothers drink from a poisoned well? What if they are ignorant that the well is poisoned, do we stand back and let them drink out of the notion of religious freedom? If I were the drinker I would rather have that water knocked out of my hand than to die from drinking the water.

the Oneness of the Catholic church something we have believed from the very beginning. All individuals have the the free will to either join the Catholic church, the body of Christ, or to reject it. Individuals all start off as the creation of God, but by free will we choose to sin and to become separated from him. If they knowingly choose the latter, there is no salvation for them. All who follow God’s will are his children, but those who reject him are the children of the devil. We must be open the repentance of a sinner, even to our final breath, but know that at some point there is no turning back (death).

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever is not just, is not of God, nor he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:10)

The “ancient approach” is excommunication the Church needs to Identify the the traitors educate them or throw them out. As with satan who was filled with pride and chose to rebel against God, he was cast out from heaven and sent into hell. We must help to safeguard the flock from the wolves.

hmm the spanish inquisition wasnt so bad either. kidding am kidding

 

[tabbey48]

There is a big difference in saying a church does not have the “fullness of truth” and in saying that a church is a “false church.” I am a Catholic because I believe we have the fullness of truth. But I believe many Protestant Churches have a large measure of truth. At least some of them are open to knowing more.

Who speaks with authority for the Roman Catholic Church? Is it still Pope Benedict XVI? Then we have already read what he has to say about the Protestants…and I don’t hear him calling for an Inquisition.

 

[CMatt25]

Interesting comment. Can you expand on why you feel this way? The reason I ask, is I know a lot of former Catholics. Everyone of the former Catholics that I can think of is a cradle Catholic and not a Neophyte (is that a correct term?).

I don’t know how much I can expand on it other than I wonder if choice once someone reaches an older age of reason has something to do with it. Catholics who are not Cradle Catholics choose to become Catholic after studying and praying and they decide Catholicism is the faith for them. A Cradle Catholic is spoon fed the faith from a very early age. But then after exploring it at a later age, some, certainly not all, might lose some zest for the faith. I know Catholics who were baptized at infant age, then received their First Communion and were confirmed both while still in elementary school. Then later when they were of an age to better understand the catechism and faith, they decided it perhaps was not the faith belief system for them to be 100% behind. Just as not every non Catholic who explores chooses to become Catholic.

So I think it perhaps just has to do with what a person believes once they are older and have the opportuinty to explore faith and beliefs for themselves.

And I know plenty of folks who might not be among the most faithful Catholics including both Catholics and non Catholics but whose hearts are on fire for Jesus so I don’t necessarily judge them to the lukewarm category.

 

[mathematoons]

There is a big difference in saying a church does not have the “fullness of truth” and in saying that a church is a “false church.” I am a Catholic because I believe we have the fullness of truth. But I believe many Protestant Churches have a large measure of truth. At least some of them are open to knowing more.

I like this.

I respect other conservative Christian churches, because some of them live out Catholic morality better than many Catholics do.

 

[SteveGC]

I don’t know how much I can expand on it other than I wonder if choice once someone reaches an older age of reason has something to do with it. Catholics who are not Cradle Catholics choose to become Catholic after studying and praying and they decide Catholicism is the faith for them. A Cradle Catholic is spoon fed the faith from a very early age. But then after exploring it at a later age, some, certainly not all, might lose some zest for the faith. I know Catholics who were baptized at infant age, then received their First Communion and were confirmed both while still in elementary school. Then later when they were of an age to better understand the catechism and faith, they decided it perhaps was not the faith belief system for them to be 100% behind. Just as not every non Catholic who explores chooses to become Catholic.

So I think it perhaps just has to do with what a person believes once they are older and have the opportuinty to explore faith and beliefs for themselves.

And I know plenty of folks who might not be among the most faithful Catholics including both Catholics and non Catholics but whose hearts are on fire for Jesus so I don’t necessarily judge them to the lukewarm category.

It may be tempting to dismiss the notion of poor catechesis and formation among those who “decide it perhaps was not the faith for them”, but the truth of the matter is that this is indeed what it is in the vast majority of cases. This is NOT to suggest the individual was at fault. A quick review of the Church in America from the 1960’s to the present will reveal to you why you may meet several former Catholics who left primarily because of pitiful catechesis, much of it due to the secular and modernist infiltration of the Church during those many decades. These same Catholics will normally not be aware of the actual reasons for their departure - and thus will naturally (and erroneously) presume it was because the Catholic faith offers nothing more (and often less) than a non-Catholic denomination offers. This is typically an appeal to be “fed” and to experience a more powerful emotional reaction to their faith. Again, this appeal is not disingenuous. It is often a failure of the Church and the individual’s family to properly form them in the faith, and I share the opinion of some who contend that God may indeed be at work in their departure (for a time) from the Church to draw them closer to Himself until such time that the Catholics in their lives are prepared to lead them home. And in the last decade or so, we are beginning to see this transformation…

You will be hard pressed to find any ex-Catholics who were catechized in the last 10 years, and this is because there has been an awakening within the Church to the battlefield wherein this corruption has been threatening the very core of the faith within the Church in the west for the last 50 years. This very apostolate, Catholic Answers, is one of many manifestations of that revival. The fullness of truth never left the Church, but the presentation of that truth has needed serious reformation, and we finally see it happening on many levels - thanks be to God. Much work remains to be done, for (as some contend) it took over 3 decades to infect proper catechesis with modernist errors, and it will likely take twice that long for the Church to recover from it. With prayer, fasting and hard work from the entire body of faithful Catholics, we hope to see an end to the exodus out of The Church…as well as an influx of non-Catholics into Her. So that we all may be of One Faith.

peace.

 

[Stepson]

I don’t know how much I can expand on it other than I wonder if choice once someone reaches an older age of reason has something to do with it. Catholics who are not Cradle Catholics choose to become Catholic after studying and praying and they decide Catholicism is the faith for them. A Cradle Catholic is spoon fed the faith from a very early age. But then after exploring it at a later age, some, certainly not all, might lose some zest for the faith. I know Catholics who were baptized at infant age, then received their First Communion and were confirmed both while still in elementary school. Then later when they were of an age to better understand the catechism and faith, they decided it perhaps was not the faith belief system for them to be 100% behind. Just as not every non Catholic who explores chooses to become Catholic.

So I think it perhaps just has to do with what a person believes once they are older and have the opportuinty to explore faith and beliefs for themselves.

And I know plenty of folks who might not be among the most faithful Catholics including both Catholics and non Catholics but whose hearts are on fire for Jesus so I don’t necessarily judge them to the lukewarm category.

I know we are just talking about generalities and that one size does not fit all. You bring up some interesting points. One area that is of interest to me is when Cradle Catholics write how they left the Church for pretty much your point. They go on their own journey to other areas of Christianity. Then they come back with that “zeal” you were talking about. It’s this journey that interests me.

 

[Stepson]

You will be hard pressed to find any ex-Catholics who were catechized in the last 10 years,

The ones I know are of the older crowd and were catechized outside of that 10 year time frame.

 

[SteveGC]

The ones I know are of the older crowd and were catechized outside of that 10 year time frame.

Yes indeed. And this group is occasionally very anti-Catholic…the saying goes “no one is as fervent an anti-Catholic as an ex-Catholic”, or something like that. This happens when all you’re left with in the wake of catechetical neglect is a preponderance of rules and guilt and threats of hell. The rules are important. Guilt in moderation is healthy for the soul. Reminders of the actuality of Hell is critical. But if all this is not tempered with the full story of salvation history and the authenticity of Mother Church, with the fulness of truth in other words, then it should be no surprise that a Catholic will build up resentment to the point of rebellion.

This is not to paint all former Catholics with this broad brush. But it is typical. And typically their predicament is a result of their own secular leanings coupled with failures within the Church and family to properly form them.

 

[tabbey48]

I think we are ignoring some elephants in the room…

1. Vatican II caused a major upheaval in the Church. For many families who had been Catholic for many generations, “everything that was nailed down was coming loose.”
   Many older people could not make the change; there was no longer a strong faith being lived out in the home. Children began to drift.
2. The abuse scandals have shaken many to their very foundation. They reasoned: “How could one have faith in a Church that allowed this to happen for as long and and on as massive a scale as it did?”

I know that those two things drove families into Protestant Churches. I was a Protestant Pastor and received Catholics into our churches for over 40 years. I remember their stories clearly.