Why would someone choose a Protestant Religion over Catholicism?

[ESMDHokie77]

Perhaps they have simply chosen to remain in the religion of their family, and not seriously weighed or looked at others, including investigating the lies of Catholicism that protestants have likely heard.

 

[Fragonard]

I can only answer your question from personal experience and not theoretically.

My 2 brothers and their wives left The Church in the late 90s and joined one of those mega-churches founded by 2 guys (non-practicing) from Harvard Business School who decided to create churches based on what people wanted. For instance, they have a Starbucks style coffee bar when you come in and you can take your mocha frappacinos and carmel lattes into the service. They kick back and get entertained for a couple hours in a big amphitheater, where Christian pop bands perform and a lively, likable, good-looking preacher challenges them with easy to follow/how-to instructions for applying biblical messages to middle-class daily problems.

The congregation is broken up into small groups known as “smile groups” (don’t ask me) where they meet in each other’s homes several times a month for potluck, fellowship, advice and support. They have small groups for women, men, those overcoming addiction, they allow divorce and have groups for divorced people to help them find a “good Christian guy or gal,” they employ Christian auto-mechanics who will fix your car and give you an honest estimate, if you’re out of work, they offer job placement services.

I asked them why they left Holy Mother Church and they said that, for them, Sunday Mass felt like nothing more than punching a time card, click…I went, and that was that. At their new church they have instant community of like minded people who want to “truly live the Gospel” and support each other. I guess it never dawned on them that they could have found all of the above, in different ways, in The Church, but that would take work, the hard work of study, prayer and sacrifice. No, this is the easy American Way. Though, I will say, pastors don’t often encourage or challenge their parishioners to learn during the week on their own or grow in their prayer lives.

Other people I have met who choose Protestant churches over Catholic are those who take issue with the moral teaching of The Church. This type quite frequently ends up in the Episcopal/Anglican church where they can get Catholic-style worship, without the dogma and moral teaching.

One silly woman I met told me she would never join the Catholic Church because “the priests drink from gold goblets.” When I explained that we use precious metals because we believe communion to be the actual body and blood of Our Lord, she shrugged, nothing would change her mind.

Those are just a few examples I have encountered over the years.

 

[CMatt25]

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.

I’m not sure when the Sat vigil came about in relation to Vat2 but I still remember some of my older Catholic relatives, aunts and uncles primarily, never adjusting to a Sat vigil. Also not certain when meatless Fridays throughout the yr was changed to being obligatory at least in the US only on Ash Wed and Good Fri. Not sure what the obligation is in other parts of the world. But some of my older relations had trouble with that too. But I will say none of them switched to a Protestant church.

The scandals no doubt have affected a later generation as well.

 

[Hawkheart]

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.

Yes. I am Lutheran and can agree with that. REGARDLESS of which has more “fullness” or truth, there’s a difference between “full” and “false” truth. JUST because Lutherans don’t have the pope or saints, purgatory, and a couple other things, yet EVERYTHING ELSE is the same (you know, like BELIEVEING IN JESUS DYING FOR OUR SINS IN THE FIRST PLACE, you know, the important stuff) does not make one false vs. true. I’m not arguing mine is fully true or yours, I’m simply stating MINOR differences are not going to affect us. For instance, say there isn’t a purgatory, that doesn’t mean that everybody that believed in purgatory is now going to burn in hell. It means you got one thing wrong, oh well (again, not arguing over what’s right or wrong) and if it does then…that’s really really stupid and I don’t think God would do that.

Random thing, I have an Atheist friend who was baptized at birth and is an amazing person who cares for and saves animals and helps people. Just because she hasn’t found God yet in life, I don’t think God would send her to hell simply because of belief. She’ll know the truth one day.

Say a surgeon or something, who has saved hundreds of people and volunteers at the senior home sometimes (idk…) is an Atheist. I honestly don’t believe that simply because that surgeon guy never found god in life, yet was an amazing caring person, deserves to be put in hell. If god judges solely on belief in Jesus in our short, unimportant lives, than quite frankly he’s a bit of a douchebag, and I don’t believe that. (These are my beliefs, not the Lutheran churches beliefs btw).

 

[Hawkheart]

Protestants seem happier about their religion than Catholics do.

Being an ex-Catholic now Lutheran, I can agree to that. I also discovered Christian music this way (like modern stuff, not rusty old hynms though I don’t mind those too much).

 

[Modestly_Anne]

There is one very good reason why it seems disorganized and unclear.
And that reason is because it IS.
And the reason it is is because the Bible is up for interpretation by anyone who feels like interpreting it his or her own way.

**If reading and studying the Bible carefully is ultimately going to always lead man to read and interpret the Bible correctly, then why are there hundreds of denominations?Why aren’t these people all interpreting the Bible in the very same way?**Why are there so many divisions within the Catholic Church? Many here claim complete unity and agreement within the Church, but when one tries to get involved and asks questions they quickly learn how many variances there really are. Some give first communion at 7, some not to 12. Some at the same time as confirmation, some not until even after it. Some can get an annulment for a situation, and some with the very same situation can not. Some ask a priest one question and get one interpretation of the catechism/Church’s teachings and some get another. I’m sure you’ll say, but that doesn’t matter, it’s just what’s in the Catechism that matters. My point is, if you are going to question why people aren’t interpreting the Bible the same way, the same can be said for why don’t priests and bishops interpret the Catechism the same way?

Arguing with Protestants accomplishes nothing. Much easier to point them to the truth of the Catholic faith. respectful discussion can lead to understanding on both sides.

**As Fulton Sheen once said, to paraphrase him, there are not over a hundred people who hate the Catholic Church, but there are thousands who hate what they THINK the Catholic Church believes.
**
That is a crucial point.

That quote is SO overused and quite UNTRUE. Many have studied, asked questions and learned what the Church teaches and still don’t agree with it.

 

[SteveGC]

Yes. I am Lutheran and can agree with that. REGARDLESS of which has more “fullness” or truth, there’s a difference between “full” and “false” truth. JUST because Lutherans don’t have the pope or saints, purgatory, and a couple other things, yet EVERYTHING ELSE is the same (you know, like BELIEVEING IN JESUS DYING FOR OUR SINS IN THE FIRST PLACE, you know, the important stuff) does not make one false vs. true. I’m not arguing mine is fully true or yours, I’m simply stating MINOR differences are not going to affect us. For instance, say there isn’t a purgatory, that doesn’t mean that everybody that believed in purgatory is now going to burn in hell. It means you got one thing wrong, oh well (again, not arguing over what’s right or wrong) and if it does then…that’s really really stupid and I don’t think God would do that.

I think there is more “important stuff” than you might think. Baptism, reconciliation and the Eucharist, to name a few. These are not minor non-essentials, although I grant you that the ones you named could be deemed somewhat minor (although not having the Pope is arguably not a minor issue). But an ecclesial community that does not baptize, does not have access to (nor belief in) priestly confession of mortal sin, and/or does not have the grace to confect the Host…is cause for serious concern. It is not to say Catholics and non-Catholics are not Christian brethren…for we indeed are (because of the one essential you did name - belief in Christ and the pursuit of obedience/holiness). But it is to say that there is a substantial concern that far too many Christians are unknowingly relying on God to work outside of His established sacraments for their salvation. Not saying He would not, for indeed He can, and does. But these are major issues to consider in ecumenical dialogue.

Random thing, I have an Atheist friend who was baptized at birth and is an amazing person who cares for and saves animals and helps people. Just because she hasn’t found God yet in life, I don’t think God would send her to hell simply because of belief. She’ll know the truth one day. Say a surgeon or something, who has saved hundreds of people and volunteers at the senior home sometimes (idk…) is an Atheist. I honestly don’t believe that simply because that surgeon guy never found god in life, yet was an amazing caring person, deserves to be put in hell. If god judges solely on belief in Jesus in our short, unimportant lives, than quite frankly he’s a bit of a douchebag, and I don’t believe that. (These are my beliefs, not the Lutheran churches beliefs btw).

Well, yes…God knows their hearts…and knows if they are invincibly ignorant of the Gospel…and knows of their ultimate rejection or acceptance of Christ our Savior. God writes a fundamental knowledge of good and evil on the hearts of all His creation, not just Christians. So everyone is capable of responding to that inherent knowledge - regardless of their belief in its origin. Again, however, it is a reliance on God’s Mercy (as infinite and omnipotent as it certainly is) to work outside of His established sacraments (outside of His Church) to save these souls. The good works are certainly commendable and speak to an inner thrust toward righteousness, but if there is an ultimate rejection of He who created them, then regardless of the good deeds, there is no salvation. Not that you do not know this, but it is just to emphasize the balance between our speculations and revealed truths.

peace.

 

[SteveGC]

Why are there so many divisions within the Catholic Church? Many here claim complete unity and agreement within the Church, but when one tries to get involved and asks questions they quickly learn how many variances there really are. Some give first communion at 7, some not to 12. Some at the same time as confirmation, some not until even after it. Some can get an annulment for a situation, and some with the very same situation can not. Some ask a priest one question and get one interpretation of the catechism/Church’s teachings and some get another. I’m sure you’ll say, but that doesn’t matter, it’s just what’s in the Catechism that matters. My point is, if you are going to question why people aren’t interpreting the Bible the same way, the same can be said for why don’t priests and bishops interpret the Catechism the same way?

The understanding of the deposit of faith is the pivotal point here. These are the doctrinal teachings of Christ as handed on “once and for all” to The Church. This is what unifies the Church unequivocally. This deposit provides the framework within which Catholic disciplines, decisions, cultural norms etc. are free to be expressed and changed (as needed). Staying within the framework is the crucial point. And the deposit provides this framework. All of the things necessary for faith and salvation are contained within the deposit of faith. Communion age, decisions on various annulments, and even interpretations of the Catechism on things that are not part of the deposit, are thus not part of this framework boundary. Hence, you will find differences from time to time.

When you find differences in elements of the deposit of faith (ie two interpretations of Scripture/Catechism that lie inside and outside of the frame), well then what you have is one who is truly Catholic (former), and one who is toying with heresy (the latter). When one obstinately holds to a belief outside of the deposit, he makes himself a heretic no longer in communion with Christ’s Church. That’s what the framework does. It establishes One Faith for all. It is Christ-given, unchangeable and ever-lasting.

 

[SecretGarden]

My answers are in bold.

**I used to belong to the Protestant church. In fact I only changed denominations a little less than four months ago therefore I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability. First of all you cannot lump all of the Protestant churches together like you can the Catholic church. Some are more liturgical while others are more Evangelical (Charistmatic), some belong to associations or governing bodies such as up here in Canada, the United Church belong to the United Church of Canada, the Pentecostals will either belong to PAOC or Church of God of Prophecy and so on. Those who do not belong to some sort of association, even when I was a Protestant I was careful of because they don’t have the same accountability systems. **

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.

**Some Protestant denominations are more organized than others. For example the Pentecostal churches that belong to the PAOC have a book that explains their beliefs. The book isn’t as long nor as detailed as the Catechism but something does exist. The United church of Canada also has something as well. **

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.

**The pope speaks words that most Christian denominations don’t have the guts to say in front of the media. Be thankful we have one otherwise if there was a second or a third from whatever denomination, if their words conflicted with the pope, there would be major conflict. The Christian denominations have enough conflict. **

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

**Inside the different denominations such as baptist, Anglican, United, Pentecostal, etc it does exist. But it is according to the different denomination or branch of the Protestant church. **

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

**It happens but it is more on the individual church (parish level). Plus there are a ton of Christian self help books out there as well. Go to any protestant bookstore and be prepared to be blown away.
**
It seems that there is the Pastor’s sermon, and that’s about it.
**
Yes and no. Depends on the church if it is connected to an established association as well as a few other factors such as the size of the church, the education level of the congregation and so on. **

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.

**Ask your questions. It’s better to ask them verses making uneducated assumptions. **

Hope this helps,
SG

 

[Hawkheart]

I think there is more “important stuff” than you might think. Baptism, reconciliation and the Eucharist, to name a few. These are not minor non-essentials, although I grant you that the ones you named could be deemed somewhat minor (although not having the Pope is arguably not a minor issue). But an ecclesial community that does not baptize, does not have access to (nor belief in) priestly confession of mortal sin, and/or does not have the grace to confect the Host…is cause for serious concern. It is not to say Catholics and non-Catholics are not Christian brethren…for we indeed are (because of the one essential you did name - belief in Christ and the pursuit of obedience/holiness). But it is to say that there is a substantial concern that far too many Christians are unknowingly relying on God to work outside of His established sacraments for their salvation. Not saying He would not, for indeed He can, and does. But these are major issues to consider in ecumenical dialogue.

We do baptize (it’s Baptists, ironically, that don’t until later in life) and we do have confession, we just do it all at once in church. Not following he pope comes out of the corruption in the 1500’s when we split off, and we believe everyone is equally close to God, not the pope higher, not having to pray through “saints” to get to him. But in general, I see your point.

IWell, yes…God knows their hearts…and knows if they are invincibly ignorant of the Gospel…and knows of their ultimate rejection or acceptance of Christ our Savior. God writes a fundamental knowledge of good and evil on the hearts of all His creation, not just Christians. So everyone is capable of responding to that inherent knowledge - regardless of their belief in its origin. Again, however, it is a reliance on God’s Mercy (as infinite and omnipotent as it certainly is) to work outside of His established sacraments (outside of His Church) to save these souls. The good works are certainly commendable and speak to an inner thrust toward righteousness, but if there is an ultimate rejection of He who created them, then regardless of the good deeds, there is no salvation. Not that you do not know this, but it is just to emphasize the balance between our speculations and revealed truths.

peace.

I see your point. To me it just seems that God would never send a legitamately good person to hell. When you die, you find out the truth anyway. I don’t know, it’s a touchy subject.

 

[SteveGC]

We do baptize (it’s Baptists, ironically, that don’t until later in life) and we do have confession, we just do it all at once in church.

Understood. But the point of emphasis is that the overall Catholic/non-Catholic chasm, although linked by a fundamental belief in Christ and His divine nature, is critically absent of unified belief in several salvific fundamentals (atleast according to Catholic theology). The singular bridge of “belief in Christ” that unifies us is arguably unsuitable as a permanent ecumenical solution or sufficiently fortifying link. Most (not all) non-Catholics typically feel placated by the diversity of beliefs within non-Catholic religions because their notion of salvation is reduced down to a belief in Christ (albeit heart-felt and sincere), which most non-Catholic denominations contend is all that is needed. Catholics feel the need to object to this false sense of unity because we believe there is more to the story.

Not following he pope comes out of the corruption in the 1500’s when we split off, and we believe everyone is equally close to God, not the pope higher,

The Pope is not necessarily “closer to God” than anyone else. He is the primary earthly shepherd of the flock, appointed by Christ.

not having to pray through “saints” to get to him.

Saints are not there to “get us to Christ”. They are there to learn from, and to help us petition to Christ for our needs and graces…much like I would ask you to pray for me.

I see your point. To me it just seems that God would never send a legitamately good person to hell. When you die, you find out the truth anyway. I don’t know, it’s a touchy subject.

Depends on what you mean by “legitimate”. By definition, it means “conforming to law or rules”. Which law, which rules? Again, depends on your belief system. But in general, I agree with you that one who strives to follow God in the best way they know how (without shirking their opportunity to know as much as is available), would likely be granted God’s Mercy. Confused by your comment “when you die, you find out the truth anyway”. Truth has been revealed 2000 years ago. If by “truth” you mean the absolute and complete truth about God, then I suppose I would agree. But the truth about salvation has been revealed to man, so it should never be a case where we are satisfied with diverging beliefs about what it fully means to be a Christian, allowing people to simply “find out” when we die. At that point, it may be too late if we were negligent with the truth provided to us while alive.

Peace.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

*As Fulton Sheen once said, to paraphrase him, there are not over a hundred people who hate the Catholic Church, but there are thousands who hate what they THINK the Catholic Church believes.

That quote is SO overused and quite UNTRUE. Many have studied, asked questions and learned what the Church teaches and still don’t agree with it. *

Are you misreading that quote? Or are you saying that many have studied, asked questions, really learned what the Church teaches and still HATE it? The key word being HATE…no disagreeing but HATE.

 

[Christian4life]

The Bible is full of contradictions, so to whom do you go with a question?

I don’t know if I would call them contradictions if read in proper context, but most people are a lil too dumb to be able to do that. I know I was. And there are a lot of things that people try to back up with one scripture, and others back up the opposite opinion with scripture too! So confusing! I was raised protestant so to me that’s all there was. I didn’t know any Catholics or what they believed. I just knew they were those weird people you saw in movies and I had heard bad things about them. One of the things I did not like about being a protestant was the arguing over doctrine. Went to several Bible studies where no one could agree on anything it was all read a few verses then argue argue argue…and at the end did I really learn anything?? I got really tired of it!

But I do miss the wonderful music and the theatrics. I have heard some Catholic churches have more modern music and a less boring time of it in general, but my parish doesn’t! I also miss how nice some of them were…even to Catholics. A lot of Catholics I know hate protestants and are so rude about it. We are supposed to be following the same Jesus.

 

[SteveGC]

But I do miss the wonderful music and the theatrics. I have heard some Catholic churches have more modern music and a less boring time of it in general, but my parish doesn’t!

I think over time and with sincere exploration, you will come to a beautiful understanding of the concept of solemnity and it’s appropriateness for the Mass. “Theatrics” and “boredom” are words which speak directly to human experience and feeling, which are a distant second to the primacy of authentic worship. If those become our measuring stick for worship, then we must explore much deeper into the meaning of the Liturgy and our role within it.

I also miss how nice some of them were…even to Catholics. A lot of Catholics I know hate protestants and are so rude about it. We are supposed to be following the same Jesus.

I think that door swings both ways. I have personally never met a Catholic who hates any protestant. Not that I doubt your experience, but actually I never met any from either side that “hates” any one from the other.

 

[EzraJacob]

I understand the question, and I to wonder the same thing. Iv been to baptist churches, episcopal and methodist. I never really like them. For me I never got the kind of feeling I get while attending Mass. And that includes the time I spent practicing Judaism. There is just something about Catholicism. The fullness of the religion that you can see in Catholicism such as the fullness of the Gospel in the Churchs teachings that no other denomination can compare to.

It also seems that many non-Catholics are under such heavy misconceptions about the Catholic Church that I wonder how can one take the silly ramblings of these ill-informed “pastors”.

Which reminds me of a question I have. Was it a sin when back in the days of my youth, I conspired to become a pastor so i can trick people for their money? Of course I never went through with it and saw the idea as more of a joke, but I mean, at the time I also saw it as “they are doing it, why not I”?

 

[EzraJacob]

I think that door swings both ways. I have personally never met a Catholic who hates any protestant. Not that I doubt your experience, but actually I never met any from either side that “hates” any one from the other.

I herd in Ireland it is a different story

 

[SteveGC]

Which reminds me of a question I have. Was it a sin when back in the days of my youth, I conspired to become a pastor so i can trick people for their money? Of course I never went through with it and saw the idea as more of a joke, but I mean, at the time I also saw it as “they are doing it, why not I”?

Sin is not just with our hands and actions, but also with our thoughts. It all begins with the heart. But it seems that your situation depends on the actual degree of seriousness vs. playfulness with the idea. If you would say you ultimately were more serious than joking in your heart, than to that degree you would likely possess atleast venial sin for entertaining the notion. I would not be inclined to think it would rise above venialness, however.

 

[SteveGC]

I herd in Ireland it is a different story

True. I should probably have clarified my position as strictly observing Christianity in the U.S. today.

 

[EzraJacob]

Sin is not just with our hands and actions, but also with our thoughts. It all begins with the heart. But it seems that your situation depends on the actual degree of seriousness vs. playfulness with the idea. If you would say you ultimately were more serious than joking in your heart, than to that degree you would likely possess atleast venial sin for entertaining the notion. I would not be inclined to think it would rise above venialness, however.

I was thinking the same thing. Though I day dream about it, but I would never do such since I couldnt take such advantage of people and take people away from Christ.

True. I should probably have clarified my position as strictly observing Christianity in the U.S. today.

Yes, It is sad. Though I can somewhat understand the feelings of the IRA.

 

[Hawkheart]

Understood. But the point of emphasis is that the overall Catholic/non-Catholic chasm, although linked by a fundamental belief in Christ and His divine nature, is critically absent of unified belief in several salvific fundamentals (atleast according to Catholic theology). The singular bridge of “belief in Christ” that unifies us is arguably unsuitable as a permanent ecumenical solution or sufficiently fortifying link. Most (not all) non-Catholics typically feel placated by the diversity of beliefs within non-Catholic religions because their notion of salvation is reduced down to a belief in Christ (albeit heart-felt and sincere), which most non-Catholic denominations contend is all that is needed. Catholics feel the need to object to this false sense of unity because we believe there is more to the story.

The Pope is not necessarily “closer to God” than anyone else. He is the primary earthly shepherd of the flock, appointed by Christ. Saints are not there to “get us to Christ”. They are there to learn from, and to help us petition to Christ for our needs and graces…much like I would ask you to pray for me.

Depends on what you mean by “legitimate”. By definition, it means “conforming to law or rules”. Which law, which rules? Again, depends on your belief system. But in general, I agree with you that one who strives to follow God in the best way they know how (without shirking their opportunity to know as much as is available), would likely be granted God’s Mercy. Confused by your comment “when you die, you find out the truth anyway”. Truth has been revealed 2000 years ago. If by “truth” you mean the absolute and complete truth about God, then I suppose I would agree. But the truth about salvation has been revealed to man, so it should never be a case where we are satisfied with diverging beliefs about what it fully means to be a Christian, allowing people to simply “find out” when we die. At that point, it may be too late if we were negligent with the truth provided to us while alive.

Peace.

I’m not going to respond to all of your points but I do have to thank you for explaining things and simply comparing and contrasting ideas, helping me understand how Catholicism works instead of being like some people I’ve run into who simply go with a “I’m right you’re wrong” kind of attitude. Thanks for explaining things to me