For those who have left the Roman Catholic Church

RileyG · Aug 3, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
Pentecostal churches are the fastest growing denomination in many area's - I'm mainly in Europe and the Middle East. I have a close friend who works with a group who has planted 32,000 churches in India and Pakistan over the last 15 years.

Considering how large India is, that makes sense.

Valletta · Aug 3, 2025

mourningdove~ said:
That is a difference I have also noticed.

Because theology regarding salvation is understood differently, it's been extremely rare for me to hear a Catholic priest speak of being 'born again'. Whereas in many Protestant churches, the ministers will speak of it, and testify to the reality of it in their lives. This difference is important to me, as I prefer fellowship amongst believers who know and understand their new identity in Christ. I identify most closely with them.

Catholics understand that one is born again through the sacrament of Baptism. Outside of an occasional homily or discussion a Catholic would only here it in regard to a convert being baptized:
"It is baptism then that is to symbolize this new birth, this being born again that allows one to become an adopted child of God and a member of the body of Christ which is the Catholic Church. For it is in baptism that we are cleansed from original sin, thereby reinstating our status as adopted children of God and heirs of heaven, a status lost at the Fall."

The Sacraments: What Baptism Means to a Convert – Catholic Stand

catholicstand.com

Akita Suggagaki · Aug 3, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
The biggest difference I have found (my personal observation) is that my faith went from an institutionalized form, complete with pre written prayers and structure to just about everything - to a one on one relationship with Jesus. I've experience intimacy with Him daily.

Pardon my intrusion. But I am tired of the political threads. This one seems more spiritual.

I am still in it but I appreciate your point. I was baptized at a month old and went to Catholic elementary school. But I had a spiritual awakening at about 22. Now there are some Catholics that I feel right at home with in a more open form of spirituality.. But others not so much. For them it seems to be all formula. But this thread reminded me of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which I have not heard much about since the 80's.

Now here is something funny, although I am not ordained I make my living as a hospital chaplain. When I pray with patients it is extemporaneous and I am welcomed more by non Catholics. We seem to connect at a level beyond denominations. Glory to God for that!

On the topic of intimacy with Jesus, I think it is an ongoing relationship building just as with anyone else. Daily Gospel reading helps. Talking about Him with others also. But the main reason I stay is the Eucharist. That sacrament seems to pull it all together for me, a physical reminder that He enters and dwells within me.

But gain, that one on one experience is our goal. We do not always "feel" it.

mourningdove~ · Aug 3, 2025

Akita Suggagaki said:
Pardon my intrusion. But I am tired of the political threads. This one seems more spiritual.

I am still in it but I appreciate your point. I was baptized at a month old and went to Catholic elementary school. But I had a spiritual awakening at about 22. Now there are some Catholics that I feel right at home with in a more open form of spirituality.. But others not so much. For them it seems to be all formula. But this thread reminded me of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which I have not heard much about since the 80's.

Now here is something funny, although I am not ordained I make my living as a hospital chaplain. When I pray with patients it is extemporaneous and I am welcomed more by non Catholics. We seem to connect at a level beyond denominations. Glory to God for that!

Praise the Lord!

Though you haven't mentioned ever leaving the RCC, I suspect it is your spiritual awakening at the age of 22 that opened your eyes more fully to your new birth, and your identity in Christ. And when that happens, the 'doors of communication' seem to open more widely between us ... regardless of denomination. And that is just as I believe the Father would have it to be amongst His children.

I was only rarely able to find some level of genuine spiritual connection with others in the RCC ... I find it more readily in Protestantism ... but I'm happy for you that things go well for you there.

May God continue to bless your hospital ministry.

Akita Suggagaki · Aug 3, 2025

mourningdove~ said:
And when that happens, the 'doors of communication' seem to open more widely between us ... regardless of denomination. And that is just as I believe the Father would have it to be amongst His children.

We all seem to have different worship styles and needs. In fact even I within my own like some diversity. I am not threatened by the different beliefs and prayer styles of others. God is creative. Look how many species of life thrive together.

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 3, 2025

My journey went in the opposite direction from evangelical through atheist, finally, resting in Catholicism. I started in a Baptist church was there for about three years, moved house and went to a Pentecostal Church for about a year and a half, The Pentecostal church was of the Assemblies of God Denomination. For doctrinal reasons and a few other things. I then transferred to a Evangelical Presbyterian Church and I stayed with them, for nearly 12 years. At the end of the twelve years I and a close friend became atheists. I remained an atheist for about seven years (my close friend is still an atheist and he is still a close friend).

Elsewhere I've already given an account of my change from atheism to Catholicism. The short version is, I read The Gospel of Matthew, visited a "Uniting Church" (The Uniting Church is a denomination in Australia, it is The union of Presbyterians Congregationalists and Wesleyan Methodists), and then I visited a Catholic church. Over the next year and a bit I became a Catholic. I still am a Catholic.

If you are curious, if you want to know, at no time over that entire journey, did I have any desire to blame any of the denominations I was associated with, for any failings or problems. There were of course aspects in each denomination that were positive and some that I regarded as negative, those are observations that apply to me and how I fit into those denominations. They don't make those denominations either good or bad, there's nothing objective about having a personal opinion.

I do not think anybody needs to change denomination to be pleasing to God. In this forum however, that is to say, in general theology, the threads are intended to be theological and they are intended to allow for debate and discussion about theological points, which may be phrased in objective terms and may deal with specific doctrines and specific things from scripture, tradition and The magisterium of The Catholic Church, the latter being applicable to my posts the former being more applicable to the posts from evangelical and other Protestant Christians.

If I'm not mistaken, the original post of this thread may have been better placed in the sub-form dealing with personal testimonies.

mourningdove~ · Aug 3, 2025

When any church fails to preach the entire Gospel message, or preaches a corrupted message, they are responsible for where they miss the mark. And their leadership will one day give an account to God for the things they've taught wrongly.

It's probably fair to say that those of us who left the RCC did so for other reasons in addition to those publicly shared here. But out of respect for the OP's intent for this thread, great care has been taken to avoid the appearance of Catholic bashing. Since many Catholics tend to see any disagreement with them or their church as 'bashing', it has very much limited some of us in speaking more openly in this discussion.

This thread has not been a 'testimony' thread. So, if it has come across that gently, then I guess we've done a good job of not appearing to 'bash' Catholics. But it would be a mistake to misread my charitableness as a kind of acceptance of the Catholic Church as being 'just as good or as bad' as any other church. That's now how I see things.

If I believed what the RCC teaches is true, I would not have left. If I did not believe in the Sufficiency of Christ, I would not have left. If I agreed with the RCC leadership style, I would not have left. If I was comfortable with homosexual priests, I would not have left. If I was comfortable with continually discussing homosexuality, inclusivity, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue, I would not have left. My issue, with those things and many others, is not a matter of 'personal opinion'. It is a matter of what is written in the Word of God.

So this is another difference I've experienced since leaving the RCC ...
In most Protestant churches, primary emphasis is given to the Word of God, the Bible.

When it comes to knowing and trusting what is true, I believe in the Word of God.
It is the path of the Word that I've chosen to walk.

"The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever."

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 4, 2025

mourningdove~ said:
When any church fails to preach the entire Gospel message, or preaches a corrupted message, they are responsible for where they miss the mark. And their leadership will one day give an account to God for the things they've taught wrongly.

Do you have any specific denomination or church in mind?

mourningdove~ said:
It's probably fair to say that those of us who left the RCC did so for other reasons in addition to those publicly shared here. But out of respect for the OP's intent for this thread, great care has been taken to avoid the appearance of Catholic bashing. Since many Catholics tend to see any disagreement with them or their church as 'bashing', it has very much limited some of us in speaking more openly in this discussion.

What specifically, have you been limited from saying?

mourningdove~ said:
This thread has not been a 'testimony' thread. So, if it has come across that gently, then I guess we've done a good job of not appearing to 'bash' Catholics.

Was that your aim - to appear not to be bashing Catholics? I hope not.

mourningdove~ said:
But it would be a mistake to misread my charitableness as a kind of acceptance of the Catholic Church as being 'just as good or as bad' as any other church. That's now how I see things.

Exactly how do you see things with respect to The Catholic Church?

mourningdove~ said:
If I believed what the RCC teaches is true, I would not have left.

Can you be specific about which teachings are taught by The Catholic Church that you think are not true?

mourningdove~ said:
If I did not believe in the Sufficiency of Christ, I would not have left.

I affirm that Christ is wholly sufficient for salvation—His grace, merits, and sacrifice are complete. The Church teaches that nothing can add to His redemptive work, though we must freely cooperate with it.

mourningdove~ said:
If I agreed with the RCC leadership style, I would not have left. If I was comfortable with homosexual priests, I would not have left. If I was comfortable with continually discussing homosexuality, inclusivity, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue, I would not have left. My issue, with those things and many others, is not a matter of 'personal opinion'.

The way you couched each of those points makes them personal opinions.

You're talking about style in leadership I don't know that anybody has ever documented a specific style of leadership for The Catholic Church.
You talk about being comfortable with homosexual priests, it is not Catholic dogma for anybody to be comfortable with homosexual priests, personal comfort isn't really an issue. The issue with homosexual priests is do they practise their homosexuality? Are they in sin, do they perform their duties as a priest faithfully and properly? Is there anything wrong with what they do? Being uncomfortable is a feeling.
You talk about not being comfortable with continuous discussions about homosexuality inclusivity ecumenism and interfaith dialogue. Once more, I point out that comfortable is a feeling. There is no Church dogma requiring anyone to participate in continuous discussions about homosexuality, nor need anybody be directly involved in ecumenism or interfaith dialogue. And now last but by no means least, Jesus himself spoke about inclusivity he came to save sinners, not the righteous. Who specifically should the Church exclude, which class of sinners should she put up a locked gate towards and refuse entry to them?

mourningdove~ said:
It is a matter of what is written in the Word of God.

I presume that by The word of God, you mean the bible.

mourningdove~ said:
So this is another difference I've experienced since leaving the RCC ...
In most Protestant churches, primary emphasis is given to the Word of God, the Bible.

I hold, in full accord with Catholic dogma, that Sacred Scripture is the inspired Word of God and a primary source of doctrine, inseparably united with Sacred Tradition, as taught by Dei Verbum §9–10.

mourningdove~ said:
When it comes to knowing and trusting what is true, I believe in the Word of God.
It is the path of the Word that I've chosen to walk.

I say bravo to you. Following what's written in The Holy scriptures is commendable. It is what I do. It is what all the Faithful in The Catholic Church do.

mourningdove~ said:
"The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever."

Amen.

You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, for: All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; but the word of the Lord remains forever. This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

1 Peter 1:23-25 NAB

Always in His Presence · Aug 4, 2025

Xeno.of.athens said:
I hold, in full accord with Catholic dogma, that Sacred Scripture is the inspired Word of God and a primary source of doctrine, inseparably united with Sacred Tradition, as taught by Dei Verbum §9–10.

That is were we differ. Holy Scripture is the ONLY source of doctrine.

But you already knew that didn’t you?

Your need to debate on a thread that is designed solely for those who have left the Catholic Church speaks deeply.

Valletta · Aug 4, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
That is were we differ. Holy Scripture is the ONLY source of doctrine.

But you already knew that didn’t you?

Your need to debate on a thread that is designed solely for those who have left the Catholic Church speaks deeply.

Remember the earliest Christians did not have the books of the New Testament. Nor is there any record of them ceding authority over to those books.

Always in His Presence · Aug 4, 2025

Valletta said:
Remember the earliest Christians did not have the books of the New Testament. Nor is there any record of them ceding authority over to those books.

They also did not have a pope, priests, nuns, or a Romanized church

Neither answers my question.

Valletta · Aug 4, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
They also did not have a pope, priests, nuns, or a Romanized church

Actually Peter was the first pope and there were priests. The word "priest" is derived from the word "presbyter." The "Latin" or "Roman" rite is the largest of a number of rites in the Catholic Church.

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 4, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
That is were we differ. Holy Scripture is the ONLY source of doctrine.

But you already knew that didn’t you?

Your need to debate on a thread that is designed solely for those who have left the Catholic Church speaks deeply.

You write that holy scripture is the only source of doctrine and I say that is manifestly not true. The holy scriptures are useful for doctrine according to saint Paul who wrote - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching - this no one denies, but it is far from saying that holy scripture is the only source of doctrine.

Always in His Presence · Aug 4, 2025

Xeno.of.athens said:
You write that holy scripture is the only source of doctrine and I say that is manifestly not true. The holy scriptures are useful for doctrine according to saint Paul who wrote - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching - this no one denies, but it is far from saying that holy scripture is the only source of doctrine.

And that is were we differ

Xeno.of.athens · Aug 4, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
And that is were we differ

Evidently it is with Saint Paul that you are in dispute.

LizaMarie · Aug 4, 2025

Akita Suggagaki said:
Pardon my intrusion. But I am tired of the political threads. This one seems more spiritual.

I am still in it but I appreciate your point. I was baptized at a month old and went to Catholic elementary school. But I had a spiritual awakening at about 22. Now there are some Catholics that I feel right at home with in a more open form of spirituality.. But others not so much. For them it seems to be all formula. But this thread reminded me of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which I have not heard much about since the 80's.

Now here is something funny, although I am not ordained I make my living as a hospital chaplain. When I pray with patients it is extemporaneous and I am welcomed more by non Catholics. We seem to connect at a level beyond denominations. Glory to God for that!

On the topic of intimacy with Jesus, I think it is an ongoing relationship building just as with anyone else. Daily Gospel reading helps. Talking about Him with others also. But the main reason I stay is the Eucharist. That sacrament seems to pull it all together for me, a physical reminder that He enters and dwells within me.

But gain, that one on one experience is our goal. We do not always "feel" it.

I hear you about being tired of the political threads. In my own case my siblings and I were raised, baptized and confirmed strong confessional Lutheran. In my teens and 20's I fell away and lived a very secular lifestyle(this was in the '70's). I attended Calvary Chapel southern California with a friend who had been New Age and was now a strong Christian. Went to a Saturday night service and went forward at the altar and re-dedicated my life to Jesus Christ. I was in my early '30's at the time. I've been following Christ ever since, quit the party lifestyle, got married and had kids and now grandkids. I have also returned to my confessional Lutheran roots(and our children were raised in that) due to my study of ancient Christian history and Church Fathers and belief in the Real presence and regenerational baptism. However I don't regret my days in Calvary Chapel. They have a love and heart for Jesus. Also they have a strong emphasis on Christian living as a young adult which seemed to be lacking in mainline denominations.
I'm really torn. As a matter of fact I was going to start a thread on the difference between Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox and the strengths/weakness of each branch of Christianity but I decided not to because I was afraid it would devolve in to causing offense.
Nevertheless, I have been attracted to Orthodoxy/Roman Catholicism due to their reverence for the Eucharist which I believe is right(I think we are too dismissive even in the Lutheran Church) and Apostolic Succession, but I love the simple and strong Gospel and preaching of the Protestant churches, and I feel Christian children's education (which I was involved in in the WELS) is so strong in the confessional Lutheran churches.

Always in His Presence · Aug 4, 2025

Xeno.of.athens said:
Evidently it is with Saint Paul that you are in dispute.

No not at all. Hint. That is once again not the topic of the thread. Is it?

Be honest now.

DragonFox91 · Aug 4, 2025

PloverWing said:
I think that that family of threads could be interesting, as long as it doesn't turn into bashing of XXX denominations (for the various XXXs).

Doctrinal truth is important, but I think much of the picture is that various denominations, or even various congregations within denominations, are a better/worse fit for different individuals. Some people thrive on liturgy, while others find it stifling. Some people thrive on long sermons, while others find them a chore. And so on. As we speak the truth of the gospel, it's good if we can speak in ways that people can hear, and that's different for different hearers.

In this thread, we're hearing from previously-Catholic folks who found that they heard the gospel more clearly in the language of another church.

A different thread might invite the stories of those who moved in the opposite direction, people raised in Protestant traditions who joined the Catholic church, because that's where they heard the voice of God most clearly.

That's true too. It's sometimes like different denominations specialize in something different. It's sometimes like each one is very strong in something but very weak on something else!

Always in His Presence · Aug 4, 2025

Valletta said:
Actually Peter was the first pope and there were priests. The word "priest" is derived from the word "presbyter." The "Latin" or "Roman" rite is the largest of a number of rites in the Catholic Church.

There was no Pope - "papas" for 300 years - Not one of the church patriarchs ever referred to Peter as a Pope. We've been down this road -

concretecamper · Aug 4, 2025

Too funny, trying to find Pope, a word derived from Latin in Greek text. You'll be searching forever

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