Why would someone choose a Protestant Religion over Catholicism?

[exnihilo]

We are for the most part what we are born into and if those pastors/priests have done their job as well as parents and Sunday School teachers, we tend to stay. I was born and baptized Lutheran ( high church ), catechized and the pastors did their job. I believe in the Lutheran Confessions to be the correct exposition of Scripture. Only if the LC-MS would go apostasy that is ordain homosexuals and women and change Scripture to meet the world view would I swim the Tiber.

I agree that most people stay where they were raised. This seems to be true both in a literal physical sense and for belief.

One thing that bothers me is the fact that the major mainline Protestant denominations are in apostasy as we speak. The non-denominational churches have no foundation other than the belief of the pastor at the moment and the belief of the congregation at the moment. I dont know what percentage of Protestantism is mainline and thus in apostasy. But it seems like if not the bulk a huge portion of Protestantism is in apostasy. I believe it is true that the LC-MS is minority within Lutheranism. Such things make me question the whole foundation of Protestantism if so many can so easily become apostate. Here we are just talking about in doctrine, obviously members of any group can themselves be apostate.

There are some denominations that are more cult-like, like yours. But they are not all like that.

The Baptist church I grew up with was awesome and caring. When people got sick, they came to your home and prayed with you…

I am actually sorry, my kids did not grow up in the environment of the small, family church.

This is how my church is. I have tremendous agreement with much Catholic doctrine but when I experience my church it makes it hard for me to see my church as being wrong (and doctrinally they are in many ways). There are right beliefs and being Christian. Some people have right beliefs but dont live a very Christian life. Some have wrong beliefs but live a very Christian life. In truth we all have a mix of right beliefs and wrong since we are human and imperfect. But as to why some would chose Protestantism it is because of the warmth and fellowship.

I’d also add that since duty is of little importance in our times any group that speaks of duty is at a huge disadvantage. We should not yield to the times but so long as duty is not important then those who ignore it might be more popular, though incomplete and really even broken.

 

[JonNC]

=exnihilo;8169755]I agree that most people stay where they were raised. This seems to be true both in a literal physical sense and for belief.

One thing that bothers me is the fact that the major mainline Protestant denominations are in apostasy as we speak. The non-denominational churches have no foundation other than the belief of the pastor at the moment and the belief of the congregation at the moment. I dont know what percentage of Protestantism is mainline and thus in apostasy. But it seems like if not the bulk a huge portion of Protestantism is in apostasy. I believe it is true that the LC-MS is minority within Lutheranism. Such things make me question the whole foundation of Protestantism if so many can so easily become apostate. Here we are just talking about in doctrine, obviously members of any group can themselves be apostate.

While I have strong, strong disagreements with the non-denoms and many other communions in the broad generality known as protestant, but I would not consider the term apostate regarding them, as to me apostasy would be a complete rejectionof the Christian faith. This, of course might be semantics, but I see them more as heterodox.

Jon

 

[Eutychus123]

While I have strong, strong disagreements with the non-denoms and many other communions in the broad generality known as protestant, but I would not consider the term apostate regarding them, as to me apostasy would be a complete rejectionof the Christian faith. This, of course might be semantics, but I see them more as heterodox.

Jon

Jon, I am not sure the correct term to use. I would however say that the United Church of Christ, The Presbyterian Church USA, The Episcopal Church and ELCA have strayed from the faith in a number of areas and been overcome by the culture. I am waiting to see what happens with the United Methodist Church at their next General Conference.

Eut

 

[JonNC]

Jon, I am not sure the correct term to use. I would however say that the United Church of Christ, The Presbyterian Church USA, The Episcopal Church and ELCA have strayed from the faith in a number of areas and been overcome by the culture. I am waiting to see what happens with the United Methodist Church at their next General Conference.

Eut

Eut,
I absolutely agree with you. I know, too, that there are many members of the ELCA who are distraught by what has happened, some are family members, and remain confessional Lutherans, the decisions of the leadership notwithstanding.

Jon

 

[NorthTexan88]

While I have strong, strong disagreements with the non-denoms and many other communions in the broad generality known as protestant, but I would not consider the term apostate regarding them, as to me apostasy would be a complete rejectionof the Christian faith. This, of course might be semantics, but I see them more as heterodox.

Jon

Having come from an Anglo-Catholic former episcopal church, now with ACNA, I would 100% say the epsiscopal church is heretical and apostate. When you start denying the divinity of Jesus among other things I think thats what that would be. For the UCC I would say heretical given recent events. The same also goes with the ELCA & PCUSA, and thanks to the ELCA yet another Lutheran group was formed continuing with the further protestant break! I do really enjoy the LC-MS though! My Grandmas family all belong to that denom and it is a great church.

 

[NorthTexan88]

Eut,
I absolutely agree with you. I know, too, that there are many members of the ELCA who are distraught by what has happened, some are family members, and remain confessional Lutherans, the decisions of the leadership notwithstanding.

Jon

Your right, just because the “head” of the denomination thinks those things doesnt mean that the whole body has too, however, at what point do you decided whether or not to stay with a denomination that condones these things or chose to leave? I guess its a matter on conscience?

 

[shaky]

There are some denominations that are more cult-like, like yours. But they are not all like that.

The Baptist church I grew up with was awesome and caring. When people got sick, they came to your home and prayed with you.

My brother was killed years ago and I was a part of the Youth ministry. The youth group told us not to worry about the “reception” after the funeral. We just went to the cemetery, came back and there was plenty of food for everyone in the church to eat. We never asked them to do this, but they did it out of love.

Even though a lot of us left the church and went to different churches over the years, we still come together for weddings and funerals. Our bond is lifelong.

I am actually sorry, my kids did not grow up in the environment of the small, family church.

You would have been more sorry if one of your kids died because of the result of some false teaching in a church. Refusing a simple operation and blood transfusion as a Jehovah witness. wacko David koresh is another example. Some cults brainwash children so much they forbid the children to have anything to do with their parents. I am not saying all protestant churches or christians are that bad. but Just tell our kids> Have simple faith in christ. To read and understand the bible for by themselves and having a personal relationship with God. That is safe.

 

[severian]

I am a former atheist, raised Baptist, who is in the process of becoming Catholic. (I am doing a lot of reading and will be starting the RCIA at my parish this fall.) For me, what made Protestantism unpalatable, and drove me away from the faith, is the seeming self-righteousness of it; but I believe that’s what people like in Protestant churches.

To me, the Bible and theology are clear: humans are wretched sinners who are seeking the mercy of God. The focus of Protestant churches I have seen always seems to be on a “personal relationship with God.” This is a little too “feel-good” for my taste, and it always seems that the people who believe that they have a personal relationship with God look down on the people who (they think) don’t.

The fact is, even some great Saints have felt no relationship with God, but have instead felt their abjection and unworthiness most painfully. This is a difficult feeling. The need to work on yourself, and to ask God to do so, to think about every act of evil that you commit–these are difficult.

Quoting John 3:16 and saying “I believe!” is not difficult, and it leads to an unfortunately self-focused experience that goes hand-in-hand with the sola scriptura doctrine. You believe, so you are saved; you are saved, so you can interpret the Bible as you will.

 

[SteveGC]

I am a former atheist, raised Baptist, who is in the process of becoming Catholic. (I am doing a lot of reading and will be starting the RCIA at my parish this fall.) For me, what made Protestantism unpalatable, and drove me away from the faith, is the seeming self-righteousness of it; but I believe that’s what people like in Protestant churches.

To me, the Bible and theology are clear: humans are wretched sinners who are seeking the mercy of God. The focus of Protestant churches I have seen always seems to be on a “personal relationship with God.” This is a little too “feel-good” for my taste, and it always seems that the people who believe that they have a personal relationship with God look down on the people who (they think) don’t.

The fact is, even some great Saints have felt no relationship with God, but have instead felt their abjection and unworthiness most painfully. This is a difficult feeling. The need to work on yourself, and to ask God to do so, to think about every act of evil that you commit–these are difficult.

Quoting John 3:16 and saying “I believe!” is not difficult, and it leads to an unfortunately self-focused experience that goes hand-in-hand with the sola scriptura doctrine. You believe, so you are saved; you are saved, so you can interpret the Bible as you will.

Interesting observations…thanks for that. Half of my family (just a handful of people) concentrate on this “personal relationship” mantra as well. In one sense, I understand the notion, when it is used in contrast to an overly legalistic viewpoint of Christianity. It makes sense with regard to the notion that being Christian is about a focus on, and prayerful dialogue with, Christ as opposed to an impersonal, automated obedience to doctrine. I think the term was born out of protest to the myth that Catholics follow doctrine without following Christ.

Without this contrast against the prevalent Catholic myths, “personal relationship” in and of itself makes very little sense. What good is a concept about being “close” to Jesus if we close ourselves off to discovering the truth of His teachings? Ultimately Jesus desires us to be obedient, rather than simply emotionally mushy with Him. I do think that most non-Catholics who are partial to using the term “personal relationship” equate it with being actively faithful throughout their lives. But I do know that for some, it simply means feeling kind of warm and cozy, having confidence that they are saved by their best friend. That’s the concept I grew up being exposed to…nothing about lifelong obedience. Nothing even about sin, or what constitutes a specific sin. Just a warm and cozy, sing-song, praise-posing, feel-good, outward expression of “personal relationship”.

Sorta silly.

 

[shaky]

Interesting observations…thanks for that. Half of my family (just a handful of people) concentrate on this “personal relationship” mantra as well. In one sense, I understand the notion, when it is used in contrast to an overly legalistic viewpoint of Christianity. It makes sense with regard to the notion that being Christian is about a focus on, and prayerful dialogue with, Christ as opposed to an impersonal, automated obedience to doctrine. I think the term was born out of protest to the myth that Catholics follow doctrine without following Christ.

Without this contrast against the prevalent Catholic myths, “personal relationship” in and of itself makes very little sense. What good is a concept about being “close” to Jesus if we close ourselves off to discovering the truth of His teachings? Ultimately Jesus desires us to be obedient, rather than simply emotionally mushy with Him. I do think that most non-Catholics who are partial to using the term “personal relationship” equate it with being actively faithful throughout their lives. But I do know that for some, it simply means feeling kind of warm and cozy, having confidence that they are saved by their best friend. That’s the concept I grew up being exposed to…nothing about lifelong obedience. Nothing even about sin, or what constitutes a specific sin. Just a warm and cozy, sing-song, praise-posing, feel-good, outward expression of “personal relationship”.

Sorta silly.

A relationship with God is you talking to God and God talking back to you. Its a two way communication. That comes by obediance to Christ. Jesus said those who keep his commands he will manifest himself to them>John 14:21. Jesus said my own know me they hear his voice John 10:4+16+27.

 

[SteveGC]

A relationship with God is you talking to God and God talking back to you. Its a two way communication. That comes by obediance to Christ. Jesus said those who keep his commands he will manifest himself to them>John 14:21. Jesus said my own know me they hear his voice John 10:4+16+27.

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. I’ll simply reply by reiterating part of my post to which you are responding, with some underlined emphasis…

SteveGC:

I do think that most non-Catholics who are partial to using the term “personal relationship” equate it with being actively faithful throughout their lives. But I do know that for some, it simply means feeling kind of warm and cozy, having confidence that they are saved by their best friend.

Peace.

 

[Kristin234]

You would have been more sorry if one of your kids died because of the result of some false teaching in a church. Refusing a simple operation and blood transfusion as a Jehovah witness. wacko David koresh is another example. Some cults brainwash children so much they forbid the children to have anything to do with their parents. I am not saying all protestant churches or christians are that bad. but Just tell our kids> Have simple faith in christ. To read and understand the bible for by themselves and having a personal relationship with God. That is safe.

I did not know that Jehovah Witness were even considered Protestant. All the Protestants I know (including myself) do not even consider them Christian.

 

[Contarini]

I did not know that Jehovah Witness were even considered Protestant. All the Protestants I know (including myself) do not even consider them Christian.

Well, this is a matter of definition. You’re defining “Christian” as “orthodox Christian,” I think, and assuming that “Protestants” are “Christians” in that sense.

Obviously someone who thinks Protestantism is itself unorthodox (though coming in more or less orthodox forms) is going to be more willing to call JWs Protestants.

I have a problem with a definition of “Protestant” that excludes JWs and Mormons, because those two groups so clearly arise out of the 19th-century Protestant context and are shaped by concerns that were common within American Protestantism.

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

I would advise all people to steer of protestant churches. Its like a minefield. If you don’t go along with what they believe they become nasty and verbally attack you. The first church i was part of wanted me to leave my family home and move into a house where about 15 christians were living because to them it was biblical. when they said to me what is the matter is everything getting to much for you. I said yes. They said to me that is satan and made me not feel welcome anymore unless i go along with what they teach. This really disturbed me for years.They was even getting people who owned houses to give it to the church because it was biblical. Then i went to another denomination a pentecostal happy clappy church. Things seemed fine untill i went down with cancer in 1996. I suffered severe depression. There leaders said to me christians don’t get depressed. Because i disagreed they threatend to call a elder and excommunicate me. All this cause me more Anxiety and depression so i left. This put me right off churches and mixing with other christians…

You’re overgeneralizing based on a couple of bad experiences.

However, I think a fair generalization is that Protestants who care about having standards and boundaries tend to be extremely nervous about maintaining those boundaries. Many Catholics are too, as can be seen on this forum, but I think there’s room in Catholicism for a more confident and untroubled orthodoxy.

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

I think first of all it is wrong to call Protestantism a religion. It is not a religion. It is called a denomination.

No, it’s made up of many, many denominations.

Obviously I agree with your general point. One more small thing that I don’t agree with, though, is:

There are alot of things that we can learn from the the Protestants well as they us. The Protestant churches have some of the best worship music. Their bands are amazing. Most of the modern charismatic music that we sing inside our churches comes from the Protestant side.

I do not find contemporary evangelical worship music to be impressive. Not that it’s all bad, but generally it seems pretty superficial to me. It can’t hold a candle to Gregorian chant, or to older forms of Protestant worship music such as Lutheran chorales and the hymns of the early evangelical revival movements (18th and early 19th centuries).

I am baffled by why so many Catholics are drawn to evangelical worship music. And yes, I am an unashamed and unrepentant cultural snob (I have become more of one since becoming the organist for my Episcopal parish!)

Edwin

 

[TrueLight]

You would have been more sorry if one of your kids died because of the result of some false teaching in a church. Refusing a simple operation and blood transfusion as a Jehovah witness. wacko David koresh is another example. Some cults brainwash children so much they forbid the children to have anything to do with their parents. I am not saying all protestant churches or christians are that bad. but Just tell our kids> Have simple faith in christ. To read and understand the bible for by themselves and having a personal relationship with God. That is safe.

That is an extreme example. David Koresh was a member of a cult. And I don’t consider JW’s to be Protestant. I doubt they consider themselves Protestant either.

 

[Bigcat71]

Off the subject. No one here responded to your charges of heresy by claiming that the Catholic Church doesn’t see itself as having universal primacy. However, according to the Cardinal, neither does the Catholic Church view non-Catholics who were raised in these ecclesial communities as heretics.

Jon

How about those who defect from the Catholic Church and become protestants?

 

[SecretGarden]

There are some denominations that are more cult-like, like yours. But they are not all like that.

The Baptist church I grew up with was awesome and caring. When people got sick, they came to your home and prayed with you.

My brother was killed years ago and I was a part of the Youth ministry. The youth group told us not to worry about the “reception” after the funeral. We just went to the cemetery, came back and there was plenty of food for everyone in the church to eat. We never asked them to do this, but they did it out of love.

Even though a lot of us left the church and went to different churches over the years, we still come together for weddings and funerals. Our bond is lifelong.

I am actually sorry, my kids did not grow up in the environment of the small, family church.

I agree. You can’t lump all of the Protestant churches into one umbrella. The first church that Shaky attended seems very cult like. In general if a church tries to control your finances, tries to separate you from your family and friends, and tells you that all other churches come from satan, run very far away. Get out, do not pass go just get out of there. Cults can be dangerious especially if they have an extremely fundamental leader and no accountability.

One of the Pentecostal churches I attended before I became Catholic called me three months after I left asking if where were my tithing and then the same one sent someone to my doorstep six months after I left the church to see if I was alright. It would have served them right if I had died. It’s a shame that it happened but no church is prefect. Individual parishes make mistakes all the time and so does the Catholic church. No one is immune. All we can do is pray for the people involved.

Good things do also happen. For example two days before I became Catholic, my Pentecostal young adult group, a church that I attended just before I became Catholic, prayed for me as a group as I accepted this calling.

 

[SecretGarden]

I did not know that Jehovah Witness were even considered Protestant. All the Protestants I know (including myself) do not even consider them Christian.

They aren’t considered Protestant nor are they considered Christian. Mormons also fit into this classification even though they like to believe they are.

 

[SecretGarden]

How about those who defect from the Catholic Church and become protestants?

I know many former Catholics who joined the Protestant church. The ones I know were never really taught the Catholic teaching therefore when they left, and joined the Protestant churches, they found truth in God. In some respects it is the fault of the parishes that they attended who did not give them a firm foundation to the faith.

I know many active cradle Catholics who remained but don’t know their stuff. I think as a church we need to seriously develop and provide educational programs that educate our youth and adults of all ages about the Catholic teaching.

My personal opinion is that if they choose to join an established Protestant denomination, meaning the denomination has to have existed for at least 50 years, have an accountability system for their pastor, and teach the word of God (I know good luck defining this one), it is ok provided they have their eyes open because there are some nondenominational Protestant churches which can be extremely cult like.

Just because some people leave, it doesn’t mean they won’t come back.