Visit A Catholic Church?

[Jenka]

Would you visit a Catholic church? Would you be ashamed to tell people you've visited there?

This is not a debate forum, this is just a question I would like to send out to Baptists.
Also, please explain your answers.

God Bless,
~Jenka

[California Dreamin']

I went to one a few times before I was going to church.

My stepfather is Catholic.

[arunma]

Would you visit a Catholic church? Would you be ashamed to tell people you've visited there?

This is not a debate forum, this is just a question I would like to send out to Baptists.
Also, please explain your answers.

God Bless,
~Jenka

Actually, I have visited a Roman Catholic church once. I wasn't ashamed of it. In fact, I told my church small group all about it. And I can tell you too.

Here's what I liked about it. The Catholic mass is based, in part, on Old Testament worship, and it is essentially a reenactment of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. I recognized that there is a significance in the fact that they kneel during prayer; this is a great example of humility before God. I like the fact that they make the sign of the cross, because it reminds us of what Christ has done for us. I appreciate that the service focuses on the eucharist (even though I cannot break bread with them), which represents the body and blood of our Lord.

I very much appreciated that they do three formal Scripture readings from the epistles, the Old Testament, and the Gospel. And I love the fact that after the first two, they say "the Word of the Lord; thanks be to God," and that after the latter, they say "the Gospel of the Lord; thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ." It is right to praise God for his inspired words.

Now here is what I don't like. Despite outward appearances, the theology just isn't Biblical, and this makes the elegant rituals hard to appreciate. They focus on the eucharist, but they see it as a "re-presentation" of Christ's true body and blood, rather than a rememberance of the crucifixion and resurrection (St. Luke 22:19). They say "the Word of the Lord," but how empty those words are when you don't really believe it. Recently, Catholic bishops in England released a statement claiming that the Bible was not the inerrent word of God. It brings me little joy for them to verbally affirm the word of the Lord when I know that the priest and congregation may not really even believe that. Also, I objected to the fact that they prayed by the intercession of the Apostle Paul (as well as another Christian named Saint Lawrence). These men, despite being great servants of God (especially our beloved Apostle Paul), are sinners nonetheless, and I do not believe that they have the power to intercede for us beyond the grave. "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

Well anyway, these are my thoughts on my visit to the Roman Catholic church. I've also been to an Episcopal church, and a non-denominational church. Maybe I'll try Eastern Orthodox next time. In any case, these experiences make me even more thankful for my own church. Nowhere else have I heard so much Biblical truth taught, and I know that it would not be so if the Holy Spirit were not working in my church's pastors and elders.

[Cright]

I went to one for about 25 years, still go about once a year. My entire family (apart from about 4 or 5 of us) are all Catholic, so of course I was raised Catholic too. I'm never ashamed or embarrased to say I've been. Each time it's a learning experience.

[Lexi]

I've gone twice. Once because I was curious. Once because my boyfriend's family is Catholic and it was Midnight Mass. I was extremely uncomfortable both times.

[arunma]

I was extremely uncomfortable both times.

Well now I know that I'm not the only one!

[Jenka]

I used to be Catholic, and that means I used to go to a Catholic school and mass when it was manditory. I was not a Christian then, however.
I, Lord willing, will be visiting a Catholic church soon. I'm a traditionalist at heart and I still love the tradition of the church, even if I don't agree with all the theology.
However, I don't tell people that much, my friends well..they kind of look down upon the Catholic, and so I get a tad flamed.
*sigh* It's sad really.

~Jenka

[PaladinGirl]

Well I am in classes at my Catholic Church to learn about Catholicism called RCIA so I go every Sunday. However, I am probably not going to convert because I have many disagreements with their views on various ethics.

[rkymtnjesusfreak]

I have been several times. My husband's family is mostly catholic. We did not go out of curiosity or anything, just for special family times. Didn't really get a lot out of it since I don't agree with the catholic church theologically. But no, I feel no shame in telling people that I have been. Plus, my husband and I feel that it gives us the opportunity to talk to his family about who Jesus is and the importance of His role in our lives. At other times his family is not usually very open to talking with us about this.

[rural_preacher]

I am a Baptist pastor. One of my members married a Catholic girl in the Catholic Church, so my wife and I went to the wedding. Very interesting. No problem.


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[Guitarist4JC]

If I was invited by a good friend I would probably go just to see what it is like, but after all of the research I have done on the Catholic church, I don't think I could join. I like how much they do to get abortion banned and I also like some of their practices, but I could no more Catholic than I could be Jewish (I like their customs, traditions, culture, etc as well).

[Tenorvoice]

I was in a Catholic wedding, been to a Catholic wedding, and been to a Catholic Funeral. Never to a service, tho'.

It was a learning experiance, but I just had some really bad vibes while I was there. The Prest would elad up to the Gospel, salvation, and other improtant issues, but would turn tail right when the key points were coming up.

But, hey we are all different.

[eturner74]

Been to a catholic church but I was confused most of the time

[Andyman_1970]

Would you visit a Catholic church? Would you be ashamed to tell people you've visited there?

This is not a debate forum, this is just a question I would like to send out to Baptists.
Also, please explain your answers.

God Bless,
~Jenka

I've been to a Catholic church many times. One of my best friends who is a part of my men's accountability group is Catholic (and just as saved as you or I BTW) and I've gone and worshipped with him on several Saturday nights.

I've never been ashamed of going and worhsipping with my friend. With the exception of the Mary stuff and a few other things I enjoyed the experience for the most part, they are very reverant, which I liked.

[heatherwayno]

I have never been to a catholic church. I am very interested in catholism however. I am totally NOT thinking of converting. I just am interested in the rituals and beliefs of that religion. we need to be informed and educated so that we can relate to them (catholics).

[newbeliever02072005]

I have never been to a Catholic church. Not sure if I would have opportunity to go at this point in my life. I live in an area that is mostly Baptist. In a 5 mile radius of my house is 3 churches....two of which are Baptist and the other is Methodist. I would have to drive about 30 miles to the nearest town to get to a Catholic church.

I don't know how comfortable I would be inside of the service. My only experience with Catholic members have been here on CF. My impression is that they are very defensive about their beliefs and church. That they would be on guard if an outsider came in to worship with them. (Which is why I don't ever post over in OBOB for any questions I might have). I think that my comfort level would be lower then it should be and my focus would not be where it should be either while in attendance at a service. I could be very wrong about this impression I have...but I have no desire to go.

God Bless,
Newbeliever :wave:

P.S. You asked, "Would I ever be ashamed to tell someone if I did"......my answer would be, No. One of my very first lessons I learned when becoming a christian was to not be ashamed about God and professing my faith for Him. So, whether I proclaim that inside of a Baptist church or in a Catholic church I will never be ashamed of it. Because in all reality the only reason why I go to church is to proclaim my faith to the people around me that I believe in God. Atleast that is my belief (can't speak for anyone else :) )

[JPPT1974]

I have only been to two catholic churches in my lifetime
But I know they believe in Christ as Savior & Lord
And that is the most important thing
Despite not at all they should eliminate a priest asking God for forgiveness of their sins
When they should do it themselves

[DeaconDean]

If we know that a religion is not biblical- and we know that catholism is for the most part not- then we need to be informed and educated so that we can relate to them (catholics).

Friend, please be careful when making statements like this.


I have been to several different demoninations worship services. I went once with a friend to a Catholic church. I didn't like it, didn't agree with it, never went back. Not that there is anything wrong with Catholic, per se, it's just after a lifetime of Baptist churches, it is kinda hard to take. I've been to a Mormon church back in high school with a running buddy. Didn't like that, never went back. I went to a Methodist church with an ex-girlfriend, I didn't like it, so I never went back. I went to a Luthern church in the military with a buddy, and to be honest, it reminded me too much like a Catholic church so I never went back. I've went to several different Pentecostal Holiness churches, learning how to take the "speaking in tongues" was somewhat exasperating. In short, I feel the most comfortable in my Baptist church. I would suggest you visit different church demonination worship services. It could be a learning experience. I know it helped me appreaciate my church.

[arunma]

Friend, please be careful when making statements like this, you could receive a warning.


I have been to several different demoninations worship services. I went once with a friend to a Catholic church. I didn't like it, didn't agree with it, never went back. Not that there is anything wrong with Catholic, per se, it's just after a lifetime of Baptist churches, it is kinda hard to take. I've been to a Mormon church back in high school with a running buddy. Didn't like that, never went back. I went to a Methodist church with an ex-girlfriend, I didn't like it, so I never went back. I went to a Luthern church in the military with a buddy, and to be honest, it reminded me too much like a Catholic church so I never went back. I've went to several different Pentecostal Holiness churches, learning how to take the "speaking in tongues" was somewhat exasperating. In short, I feel the most comfortable in my Baptist church. I would suggest you visit different church demonination worship services. It could be a learning experience. I know it helped me appreaciate my church.

I see your experience agrees with mine. I've also gained more appreciation for my church by visiting a Catholic church (as I said in my earlier post). And as you also said, it was a learning experience.

[DeaconDean]

It was a learning experience for me. Especially when I started going to seminary school. I've even went to a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness service. Whoa.......!

[HumbleMan]

I grew up in a city that was mostly Catholic, but except for first grade at St. Clements, I never attended a mass.

When my grandmother passed away, I had to set up her funeral at her parish. I must say the priest was very friendly, and very knowledgable about the bible. I didn't agree with all he said during the funeral, but it was what my grandmother, and the rest of her parish, believed.

I have met many Catholics here on CF who are very nice and are a pleasure to fellowship with. Whenever I've gone into OBOB to ask questions I've had about their faith, I always get informative, thoughtful answers.

I probably won't attend mass unless invited for a special occasion, and I certainly won't be ashamed of saying that I went.

[Joykins]

I have gone a handful of times, with friends, to weddings, funerals, etc.

It took a few times to feel comfortable because the service was strange to me but after a few times I got the feel for it.

I don't believe in everything Catholics believe but I don't beleive everything MY church believes either so that's no hangup for me.

I haven't taken communion there since I found out it was closed...

[arunma]

I've even went to a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness service. Whoa.......!

:eek:

Wow, that must have been a rather strange experience.

[DeaconDean]

Lets just say, it was different. lol

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

I never have gone and dont think i will. Unless i have a reason to....which i dont :)

I am not Catholic and dont believe in a lot of what they do ( My Opinion) so i see no reason to go.

[Lenora56]

I've been to a Catholic church service (Sunday), a Catholic funeral, and a Catholic wedding.

The church service was about 30 years ago, and I was fairly comfortable because nobody expected me to do anything; I just sat. Wouldn't have known what to do anyway.

The funeral was for my infant nephew, whose mother was Catholic. This particular priest was very comforting, talking about the baby in the present tense, about how happy the baby now was, and how he wouldn't come back, even if given the chance. At the time, I was not saved, and had done little studying.

The wedding was that of my niece, and was somewhat abbreviated, not nearly as long as I've heard that Catholic weddings can be. (Most Baptist weddings last longer than that.) Someone told me that if they'd had a full mass, it would have been far longer. There was some ritualistic talking and excchanges between the priest and some of the people in the pews. All very polite and proper.

Ashamed of going? Nah. Many of the beliefs I don't agree with, which is pretty obvious, since I am Baptist.

[MrJim]

I went to a Sat eve service and went the following Wednesday to the "Ash Wednesday" service (hey, that was just last week I think). Other than weddings they were the first catholic services I'd have been to. Not at all uncomfortable and wouldn't be embarrassed at saying to others about it.

And I'll go again sometime. Did I agree with everything? Yeah, mostly I guess but there were some things that I didn't think were quite right.

But guess what? The baptist church I go to does things that I don't think are quite right either (never heard the apostles give an altar call "now with every head bowed and every eye closed, while Timothy plays 'Just As I Am', just slip up your hand if you'd like to receive Jesus as your personal saviour") but everyone does things as they best see fit I guess. Some things I just don't bother with. Don't think much of the catholic's fondness for bingo but I also don't think much of this baptist church's annual Chili Cookoff and Line Dancing thing either.

You know, sometimes I look at the "church" and don't know whether to laugh or cry...

[Diane_Windsor]

Would you visit a Catholic church? Would you be ashamed to tell people you've visited there?

~Jenka

As in a Roman Catholic Church? Yes, I have visited several, and am not ashamed to tell others. I think everyone should visit the services of other religions and faith traditions-learning about other faiths is important and broadens our horizons. Have I visited other Catholic churches? Sure. I've was raised Baptist, so there's one, I've been to Lutheran, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, and nearly every other stripe of the local bodies in Jesus' Universal Church.

DIANE
:)

[JPPT1974]

To be honest it really doesn't matter which denomination or church you go to
Just as long as your heart and soul believes and worships the same God!