Why Catholics become Protestants

[BobRyan]

That brings up one more question - how many millions of Baptists today are in fact counted as "Catholic" by the Roman Catholic church because they were christened as infants and the Catholic church is not in the habit of following up to see that they are still Catholic??

IF we subtracted that number out from the number claimed to be "Catholic" in America today - would the "they left the church" number for Catholics be more like 50% 60% by comparison?

in Christ,

Bob

 

[christseeker45]

and Catholics can be the same way as well. Look, if you haven't any idea what we are even talking about then its not very nice of you to insult me, declaring I hate Protestants. Its okay, you don't have to say, "I was wrong about you..." nor do you have to apologize and Rhamiel sure as heck doesn't have to make any apologies on your behalf to me either for you insulting me. Its okay that its only a one way street with him.

I get the charitable cherry picking that goes on around here and this is kinda my point. We all try to act in a certain way that we are told is what good Christians do, what emulate the Lord but we will always fall short. A lot of people will do and say what they think they are supposed to and it really does not come from with in.

We (Cats and Prots) are just different because we were taught differently and we as people are all individuals. None of us (Cats or Prots) should be painting any of us with such a broad brush. We are supposed to have the fullness of truth and we are taught that Prots embrace error and the truth they do embrace, its our truth, its what of the Catholic faith they did not deny. That is where I get frustrated, when I read where Prots claim we aren't even Christian... because if we aren't, then they sure as heck aren't because their roots come from this one and only Church which is Christ's Church. Its His gig that He set up. All salvation comes through this Church and they are connected to this Church but they deny they are and so you know what that means? The joy they have comes from this Catholic faith so I don't understand what point you are even making.

They have joy that comes from loving the Lord... okay... its not exclusive to just them. The catholic faith is why they even know the Lord. But Catholics don't wear it on their sleeve, its just not our culture to do that and if any one person is going to leave the Catholic faith because of cultural differences, then, that's sad.

I will stick by what I said, Protestants, not all but most born again types and less structured liturgical congregations do teach to wear this joy outwardly and that's not an insult... its a good way to evangelize. Its a fruit. We do not teach to go around wearing it in the same way they do. We are just different. Not better or worse but different.

I am not insulting you I am going by your actions here (actions speak louder than words) you may stick by what you said but you couldn't be more wrong if you tried

 

[christseeker45]

Then you need to get out more.

I been around Catholicism for 25 years and never seen it, I never seen a heart change. The only time I have is when people give their heart to Christ and become Protestant.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I just wonder (that's all) if any has considered asking former Catholics this question?

Might it be of some benefit in answering this good question if it were asked in a forum where such ex-Catholics, now Protestants could freely answer?

JUST QUESTIONS, nothing more.

 

[christseeker45]

okay, I'll ask. Why CJ?

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

okay, I'll ask. Why CJ?

My post?

 

[Lady Bug]

I'm being objective by saying this but maybe they can't agree that the Church is the same in its teachings 100% as it was back in the day.

 

[Erose]

The main reason that people leave the Catholic church is due to what they are not getting from Her. And that is instruction, fellowship, and a sermon by someone trained to give sermons. Catholics who leave are usually ignorant of what they are leaving. Granted some of it is their fault for not doing self study as iand many others have done that post here. But somewhere they need to get the understanding of the importance of our faith and this is where the Catholic church has failed the most.

Each church is suppose to be a family. How many parishes can lay to that claim? Most Protestant churches can.
Each church is suppose to be teaching their parishioners about God and helping people develop a solid relationship with Him. How many parishes can lay to that claim? Most Protestant churches can.

This list can go on and on. As Catholics we must be honest and say that even though we have the fullness of truth on our side and the Sacrifice, which Protestants don't have, they as churches do a much better job than we do on everything else.

I always felt if the Catholic church picked up the energy and faith of our Protestant brethren half the world would be Catholic and Protestantism, evangelicalism and Mormonism would be just blips in World history.

There is much we need to learn from or Protestant brethren.

 

[christseeker45]

My post?

You posted that we should ask a former Catholic why they became Protestant, so I am.

 

[steve_bakr]

I been around Catholicism for 25 years and never seen it, I never seen a heart change. The only time I have is when people give their heart to Christ and become Protestant.

That is interesting. I had my "conversion" as a Protestant but finally felt that the Catholic faith was more meaningful.

 

[Rhamiel]

okay, I'll ask. Why CJ?

I do not think CJ was ever a member of the Catholic Church?

 

[christseeker45]

I thought he once was, maybe I was wrong

 

[Erose]

I been around Catholicism for 25 years and never seen it, I never seen a heart change. The only time I have is when people give their heart to Christ and become Protestant.

Maybe you aren't looking hard enough. When craddle Catholics in my experience decide tho give their heart to Jesus it isn't normally advertised as it is in many Evangelical churches. There is no altar call as such, but usually a visit to the confessional.

Maybe you should ask this question to a priest.

 

[Erose]

I thought he once was, maybe I was wrong

No CJ claims to be a former Catholic.

 

[christseeker45]

No CJ claims to be a former Catholic.

Then I am correct, he once was one

 

[christseeker45]

Maybe you aren't looking hard enough. When craddle Catholics in my experience decide tho give their heart to Jesus it isn't normally advertised as it is in many Evangelical churches. There is no altar call as such, but usually a visit to the confessional.

Maybe you should ask this question to a priest.

What question?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Internet religion is a blessing to some, curse to others. For some, they come online and feel a huge spiritual feast. For some, internet Catholicism and internet religion in general seems hugely fundamentalist and hardline. It feels extremely political (i.e. if you're not a Republican, you're a "Cafeteria Catholic" poser) and can get nasty. Charged language like "cafeteria catholic" and other litmus tests for how Catholic you really are can become commonplace. So for many Catholics, this is a turnoff. To others, of the most fundamentalist or ultra conservative side, it's a huge plus.

Internet Catholicism is usually not at all representative of what's out in the field.

 

[christseeker45]

how does that apply to the OP exactly?

 

[benedictaoo]

Internet religion is a blessing to some, curse to others. For some, they come online and feel a huge spiritual feast. For some, internet Catholicism and internet religion in general seems hugely fundamentalist and hardline. It feels extremely political (i.e. if you're not a Republican, you're a "Cafeteria Catholic" poser) and can get nasty. Charged language like "cafeteria catholic" and other litmus tests for how Catholic you really are can become commonplace. So for many Catholics, this is a turnoff. To others, of the most fundamentalist or ultra conservative side, it's a huge plus.

Internet Catholicism is usually not at all representative of what's out in the field.

yep. It tests your sincerity. Many have come to find out they were just fakes... if they are honest enough with themselves to admit it, that is.

 

[benedictaoo]

I am not insulting you I am going by your actions here (actions speak louder than words) you may stick by what you said but you couldn't be more wrong if you tried

that I hate Protestants? I'm wrong that I don't? okay, what ever you say...

Then what am I even doing here? why do i have any compulsion to anything Christian at all... if I also have hate? It doesn't make a lot of sense and that is my point. It would be good if everybody took a honest to God look at themselves.

I been around Catholicism for 25 years and never seen it, I never seen a heart change. The only time I have is when people give their heart to Christ and become Protestant.

and I am telling you if a person has to leave Catholicism in order to give his heart to Christ it was because he was looking for something to be in it for him. It is often all about us, rarely about Christ. There is no reason for anyone who wants Christs to leave HIS Church in order to give themselves to Him. We have the Eucharist, how you gonna leave Him to find Him? There was something wrong with the person, not the Church. so makes no sense, it is about the feeling and not much more.

Its not about how up beat we are... its not about how sweet we are to someone's face. Its about what is in the inside of us and what we are really like that no ones knows about. Its about who does the right thing and who does not... its about faith hope and love to an heroic degree. Its not about how we feel and if we feel good.