Why do a lot of Catholics become athiest?.....

[smilingheart]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)

[jad123]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)

This is a ridiculous generalization. Many of my friends in my teenage years were children of pastors. The majority of them are not believers today. I wonder why?

[Peaceful Dove]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)

I do not know where you live but a lot of Catholics do not become atheists.

I have been active in the Catholic Church and in ecumenical work for many many years and in a wide geographical area and I have not seen this at all and the stats do not show this.

The fact is Catholics tend to stay with their Faith their entire lives and we are getting a large number of converts from other denominations.

Hoped that helped :wave:

[IamAdopted]

I myself have not heard of this..

[Sothron]

Most of the athiests I know are former Southern Baptists, Mormons or some other Protestant group. No one knows the heart of another Christian except God.

[NewToLife]

Your sample size is unlikely to be large enough to validly reach the conclusion that a lot of Catholics become atheist. I can confirm that my experience is that its a bigger problem with protestants, but then my sample size is also too small to reach a valid conclusion.

[KJVisTruth]

I have always heard of "non practicing" catholics, I doubt they are athiests though. Is it your personal experience that they became athiests? Thats unheard of for me.

[Benedicta00]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)
You are mistaken. Is there a source that makes you think that most of the atheist were Catholic?

I know a non Catholic moderator here who was a Protestant who 'de converted.'

There is no evidence that this is mostly a Catholic problem. I personally think that Calvinist are more prone to losing their faith. But that's just what i think. I have nothing t support my feeling.

BUT I'll say this; if I ever found out that the Catholic Church wasn't true, I'd be atheist too because that means Christianity is a sham if the Catholic Church isn't true.

[QuantaCura]

I find it to be the opposite because the Catholic Church does regard reason as a great gift from God and we defend very much the complementary nature of faith and reason.

Most people become atheists when they can no longer reconcile their faith with reason and objective science.

Likewise, I often find that even fallen away or non-practicing Catholics retain their Catholic identity whereas people who fall away from other denominations no longer claim an identity with that group or even with Christianity. I think this is due to the indelible mark left by Baptism and Confirmation.

[Benedicta00]

No one can generlize this. People lose faith or never had it in the first place. It happens to all of us, even non Christians.

Jews lose faith too. Heck, its why the rejected Christ, isn't it?

[Benedicta00]

dp

[Celticflower]

Why do any Catholics become atheists? For the same reasons Protestants, Orthodox, non-denoms etc do. I do not believe the % of Catholics who lose their faith is any higher than for any other group. Maybe it is the people you hang out with that make it seem so. If so, find new people to hang with.

[LightDancer]

I have always heard of "non practicing" catholics, I doubt they are athiests though. Is it your personal experience that they became athiests? Thats unheard of for me.

I don't know if this is a "catholic" problem. I highly doubt it, as I've known protestants who have fallen away as well.

In my experience, the ones who have fallen away whether catholic or any other denomination was because they chose to not read the Bible.

The Bible states "faith comes by hearing, and hearing of the word of God".

So faith can dry up without the Word, and I know several Catholics who do not read the Bible at all. However, this is still true for people of other denominations also.

And, I quoted KJV's post because I know "non-practicing" Catholics as well. I know non-practicing Christians also. I think we grow through the Word. It is spiritual food.

Romans 10

10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10 is a good read! I'm reading it now. Highly recommend for reading of the day!!!!!!!!!!

[LittleLambofJesus]

Most of the athiests I know are former Southern Baptists, Mormons or some other Protestant group. No one knows the heart of another Christian except God.Hi. Some of it may have to do with many getting into Apologetics, such as with Atheists, and they may start to doubt the Bible themselves unless they are extrememly strong in the Faith of Jesus and the LORD.

I have heard that happens quite a bit on this forum. Trying to explain to non-Christ-ians how God can kill children as told in the Bible is not an easy thing to do. Peace.

http://www.christianforums.com/t4741225-god-kills-firstborn-children.html
God kills firstborn children?

[Jabronie]

I think Catholics in the US are often taught only what they are supposed to believe instead of why they are supposed to believe it. The "whats" instead of the "whys." Also the highest per capita of Catholics in the country are in some of the most liberal areas of the country, where secular humanism challenges faith on a daily basis.

These poorly taught Catholics are practically helpless when it comes to defending, or in some cases even understanding, their own beliefs.

These liberal areas of the country also produced some corrupt, abusive clergy that helped turn people away from Catholicism and Christianity all together.

[LightDancer]

Hi. Some of it may have to do with many getting into Apologetics, such as with Atheists, and they may start to doubt the Bible themselves unless they are extrememly strong in the Faith of Jesus and the LORD.

I have heard that happens quite a bit on this forum. Trying to explain to non-Christ-ians how God can kill children as told in the Bible is not an easy thing to do. Peace.

http://www.christianforums.com/t4741225-god-kills-firstborn-children.html
God kills firstborn children?

I think LittleLamb could very well be on to something very important here.

I think, in my mind right now, the number one reason people become atheists is because they are angry with God. But, not necessarily because of the OT or anything. I think people can turn atheists because of something terrible that happened to them -- such as losing a child or a spouse, etc. Some people go through anger stages towards God.

Also some, if not most, people will rebel against God for a myriad of unknown personal reasons, but I'd say "anger" is a big reason why and / or lack of knowledge and insight into God and his scripture can also play a part in one's loss of faith.

[mohawk]

I would like to see evidence of this claim. Otherwise it's just another veiled attack on Catholicism.

[E.C.]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)
Atheists have all sorts of backgrounds be it Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Mormon or whatever.

I was Catholic from when I was born up until about two years ago when I went Agnostic and later Eastern Orthodox.

The why? Partly all the stuff coming up against Catholicism around 2003-03: priest issues, Da Vinci Code, many other things but mainly this: I was only taught facts and so forth about Catholicism. 2+2=4. But was never taught why or what made 2+2=4.

Another thing, is that Catholic schools tend to fail to at least mention the beliefs of other Christians or religions. That and the fact that I remember there being a 1,000 year gap between the end of Roman persecutions and the Crusades.

[Rhamiel]

One reason could be the emphasis on the Church, if a protestant becomes disillusioned with her church she leaves and goes to a different church, if a Catholic becomes disillusioned then he just quits all together, I do not know the exact quote but some Irish Catholic writer had this dialog between two brothers in his story “I am leaving the Church” “not to become protestant I hope” “why would I leave one foolishness for another”

[Rhamiel]

Sorry some of the replys have been so hostile, I do not think none practicing catholics should be considerard like aitheists, they know God is there, they just do not care, a sad state to be in

[Breaking Babylon]

I think it's a risky generalization, but in some cases true. See, there are over a billion Catholics in the world today, but so many of them are only Catholic in name. If the heart isn't there, the Mass becomes nothing but routine to them, and since they don't benefit from it spiritually anymore it becomes robotic to them. They become Pharisees, and from that point, it's a downward hill to atheism.

It's much the same for every other Christian body, but you may have heard more about it because of the large number of Catholics in the world, whether in name or practicing.

It has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church itself. To say such would be ignorant bias fueled from pride and being spoonfed hatred.

[No Swansong]

Just to throw in my 2 cents.

I read something about this once and I can't find the reference so take this as heresay but I believe the report said that the percentage of Roman Catholics leaving Christianity altogether (could have been for a different faith and not necessarily Atheism) was only slightly higher I remember there was a hypothesis presented but I honestly don't remember what it was. In any case the difference was negligible.


I wanted to add that the study only considered those who had been active in a congregation for a specific amount of time although I don't remember that amount.

[Rhamiel]

One must remember that the Catholic Church is a growing Church, through births and through conversions the Church is gaining numbers every day

[Marycita]

I do not necessarily think it's only catholics who become atheists, but I do know what you are talking about. In my high school I knew so many people who went to catholic school who no longer believe. I personally grew up catholic and half of my siblings are not only atheists, but wiccan, and anti-christianity. I considered myself atheists during high school. In hindsight, I really think it was because I was always told what to believe and how to live rather than told why...( Idon't remember who, but whoever said that - good thinking). Also I think it was because as a child growing up you never understand catholicism completely, and then you never really learn it. Then as you slowly gain knowledge, it can seem overbearing and overwhelming and can be a turn off. I know one of my brothers stopped going to church because of the fact that my parents had to get an anullment in order to get remarried. I think there are a lot of reason why people raised in religious households lose their faith, but growing up catholic,this is the only point of view I have, but I am sure it happens in all religions.

~V

[RccWarrior]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)


I do not believe this post is anything more than offending Catholics again. This is a ridiculous post and I will report it. I have never heard of such an absurd statement in my life. If anything, atheists BECOME Catholics because I know of four of them that had.

[A. believer]

I do not believe this post is anything more than offending Catholics again. This is a ridiculous post and I will report it. I have never heard of such an absurd statement in my life. If anything, atheists BECOME Catholics because I know of four of them that had.

Then make sure you report Benedicta, too, for suggesting that it's usually Calvinists that become atheists. Just to be fair, you know.

[A. believer]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)

I have no idea what the percentages are, but I think if you went to the atheist forum and asked those who were formerly professing Christians which denomination they were part of, you'd get a wide variety of responses.

[LittleLambofJesus]

I have no idea what the percentages are, but I think if you went to the atheist forum and asked those who were formerly professing Christians which denomination they were part of, you'd get a wide variety of responses.Hi. And there is one thing they always bring up to the Christ-ian apologists........ETERNAL HELLFIRE
It would be nice if there was one single view on it but unfortunately, the Bible itself is pretty silent on it except for the Gospels and Luke 16's Rich Man and Lazarus Parable.
:)

[DrBubbaLove]

Yeah, I never got that either. If we say our reward after this can be eternal/infinite, why would it be unfitting for the punishment to be eternal/infinite?

Using that same logic the reward should not be eternal either.

[Rion]

It was probably the church they went to, if a lot of them truly did lose faith. Same with the other generalizations here.

[TheListener]

I hate generalising but I had previously noticed the Catholic Church drives more people away than any other denomination.

At the time I was attending a Protestant Church and I thought that Catholics were not Christians and they were keeping people away from Jesus.

Today I think it is because most people don't like to hear the truth and so they leave to find something else that suits their needs better.

This is not a scientific study. I might be wrong, in fact I probably am. It's just an observation I made when I first became a Christian a few years ago.

[RccWarrior]

Well, I find it the other way around. At least 2-3 people a week of Protestant denomination, convert to Catholicism at my church. And that is one church alone, and we have 2 Masses on Saturday, 4 on Sunday and 2-3 every day of the week.
For people on the East Coast, there is a program on Monday nights on EWTN called "The Journey Home"". It is all about atheists, Protestants, Jehovah's Witness, Baptist ministers, etc..converting to Catholicism and telling their stories of why and how they became a Catholic. Very good program.

[smilingheart]

First I want to thank each and every one of you for your answers to my question!:)

Secondly I want to deeply apologize if I have insulted anyone here. The last thing I wanted to do with my post is to come across as "bashing" Catholicism. I was merely curious about this topic. Please know that I do not want to see ANYONE here feel uncomfortable or hurt by post or anything! I am once again sorry for coming across as "bashing" to you!:(

Thanks again! God bless you all!:wave:

[Uphill Battle]

You are mistaken. Is there a source that makes you think that most of the atheist were Catholic?

I know a non Catholic moderator here who was a Protestant who 'de converted.'

There is no evidence that this is mostly a Catholic problem. I personally think that Calvinist are more prone to losing their faith. But that's just what i think. I have nothing t support my feeling.

BUT I'll say this; if I ever found out that the Catholic Church wasn't true, I'd be atheist too because that means Christianity is a sham if the Catholic Church isn't true.
What leads you to believe that Calvinists lose faith more regularly than other denominations?

what leads you to believe that Christianity would be a sham without the RCC?

[A. believer]

First I want to thank each and every one of you for your answers to my question!:)

Secondly I want to deeply apologize if I have insulted anyone here. The last thing I wanted to do with my post is to come across as "bashing" Catholicism. I was merely curious about this topic. Please know that I do not want to see ANYONE here feel uncomfortable or hurt by post or anything! I am once again sorry for coming across as "bashing" to you!:(

Thanks again! God bless you all!:wave:

Don't sweat it. Some people look for "persecution" under every rock.

[A. believer]

It was probably the church they went to, if a lot of them truly did lose faith. Same with the other generalizations here.

Why would you assume it's the fault of the church that people turn from the faith and not the state of their hearts?

[hithesh]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)

I was an atheist for sometime, and I was raised evangelical, and it was actually the writings of Catholic men of God, that led me back to belief. I can say that if I was left in the hands of the evangelical church, I would have become a militant atheist. Because to me the evangelicals messages that I have heard, are so full of fluff.

Now, should i generalize and say that all of the messages that come from evangelicals are "fluff", since those are the messages that I've been exposed to?

Should I judge the evangelicals by TBN? Peter Popoff?

( just a note: I am not catholic, though I respect the catholic church)

[DrBubbaLove]

Having taught children, would say that there is a very good possibility that someone leaving their faith, what ever faith that is, is in a large part due to situations or lack of situations in the family.

If either or hopefully both parents do not take it upon themselves to both stress the importance and demonstrate the importance of faith, Church ...etc then no amount of Sunday School or religious education can adequately prepare them to deal with facing life on thier own. One of the first challenges they will face will be thier faith.

This is true in any matter of education, the children with parents involved and leading have an advantage. Not that a child cannot overcome poor parenting or no parents, but it is much harder.

Having taught Catholic children and worked with adults can say there is a general naviaty among parents, maybe even laziness in some concerning religious education. They rely too much on the local parish which is no substitute for a formal Catholic school. They tend to forget that most of them recieved daily religious studies growing up. There is no way a one hour course once a week can replace daily exposure. The difference in my class between kids going to Catholic school and the rest (majority) was astronomical. In fact some of the Catholic school kids, though lacking maturity, had the knowledge to teach the course.

The other standouts, though few, were students that had a parent teaching them. A couple of them even exceeded most of the Catholic school kids in depth of knowledge. In all of my students, the level of interest and enthusiam was usually directly porportional to the level of the parents.

[No Swansong]

I'm sure we all know people who left one or the other and lost their faith. As for me if it were not for Evangelicals (I was Catholic) it is quite possible that I would have lost my faith. That isn't really important. What I would like to know is; is there any imperical evidence anyone can find? Surely this is something that someone, somewhere has conducted a scientific study of, other than the one I earlier mentioned which I cannot locate and thus cannot validate.

[Schroeder]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:) you do know you can be a catholic and not a christian. a baptist, a methodist a quaker ect. and not a christian.
I know a large group of quakers that say they would rather be called quaker then a christian. They dont know much about the founder of quakerism obviously but thats what they say. And it is obviouse they arent christian when you speak to them and observe how they live, the same with other denom.

[Axion]

I'm sure we all know people who left one or the other and lost their faith. As for me if it were not for Evangelicals (I was Catholic) it is quite possible that I would have lost my faith. That isn't really important. What I would like to know is; is there any imperical evidence anyone can find? Surely this is something that someone, somewhere has conducted a scientific study of, other than the one I earlier mentioned which I cannot locate and thus cannot validate.

There are far more Catholics than any other group, so you are likely to meet more ex-Catholics than any other group.

Historically, Catholicism has grown since the reformation far more than has Protestantism - which controlled half of Europe in 1570. In the once 90% protestant UK, 60% now claim no Christian belief, and there are now as many Church-going Catholics as Anglicans, while many other groups like the Methodists, baptists, Congregationalists etc have experienced very sharp declines from a once dominating position. This would indicate that the move from Protestantism to Atheism is actually stronger than any move from catholicism to Atheism.

[No Swansong]

There are far more Catholics than any other group, so you are likely to meet more ex-Catholics than any other group.

Historically, Catholicism has grown since the reformation far more than has Protestantism - which controlled half of Europe in 1570. In the once 90% protestant UK, 60% now claim no Christian belief, and there are now as many Church-going Catholics as Anglicans, while many other groups like the Methodists, baptists, Congregationalists etc have experienced very sharp declines from a once dominating position. This would indicate that the move from Protestantism to Atheism is actually stronger than any move from catholicism to Atheism.


It's an interesting Theory however Protestantism itself has not decreased only the mainline style denominations. Protestantism itself has grown.

I imagine it would be very difficult to really put numbers to this kind of study though. I mean for example there are a number of both Roman Catholics and Protestants who are so in name only. Some studies I have read indicate that more Cradle Catholics stay Catholic than Protestants who stay Protestant. but I have also read studies that seem to indicate the opposite.

Oh well, thanks for the thoughts.

[Uphill Battle]

There are far more Catholics than any other group, so you are likely to meet more ex-Catholics than any other group.

Historically, Catholicism has grown since the reformation far more than has Protestantism - which controlled half of Europe in 1570. In the once 90% protestant UK, 60% now claim no Christian belief, and there are now as many Church-going Catholics as Anglicans, while many other groups like the Methodists, baptists, Congregationalists etc have experienced very sharp declines from a once dominating position. This would indicate that the move from Protestantism to Atheism is actually stronger than any move from catholicism to Atheism.
do you have any supporting evidence?

not doubting, just wondering.

[Rion]

Why would you assume it's the fault of the church that people turn from the faith and not the state of their hearts?


I'm saying that if a lot of people are falling from the faith in that particular church, then it probably has something to do with it. Good churches don't have apostates popping up like flies in most cases. :)

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest.

You are quite mistaken in stating that large numbers of Catholics become athiests, that is simply false.

[No Swansong]

You are quite mistaken about that. I don't know a single Catholic who has become an athiest. I do know a lot of Protestants who have, however.
While I doubt that the numbers are that different in general, how can you tell someone they are "mistaken" about a personal observation? Unless you know the Same Catholics this person knows it would be rather impossible for you to know.

[RccWarrior]

I was an atheist for sometime, and I was raised evangelical, and it was actually the writings of Catholic men of God, that led me back to belief. I can say that if I was left in the hands of the evangelical church, I would have become a militant atheist. Because to me the evangelicals messages that I have heard, are so full of fluff.

Now, should i generalize and say that all of the messages that come from evangelicals are "fluff", since those are the messages that I've been exposed to?

Should I judge the evangelicals by TBN? Peter Popoff?

( just a note: I am not catholic, though I respect the catholic church)

Do you really have all those children??:help:

[A. believer]

You are quite mistaken in stating that large numbers of Catholics become athiests, that is simply false.

And out of the 6 billion baptized Catholics (or whatever the numbers are), you know the beliefs of how many of them?

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

You are quite mistaken in stating that large numbers of Catholics become athiests, that is simply false.
And out of the 6 billion baptized Catholics (or whatever the numbers are), you know the beliefs of how many of them?

Far more, I'm quite certain than the OP. Which proves my point.

[Hishandmaiden]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)
I think that is because without an encounter of God, without a personal relationship with Jesus, without having taste the goodness of God's presence in their lives, and know through experience and a personal walk with God that He is real, being a catholic can be quite a difficult thing to do, because they had many restrictions, laws and impositions placed upon them.

Unless we have intimacy with Christ, and we have a close relationship with God, and know Him personally, laws and rituals and the religious way of life with its restrictions and impositions will be too much for most people to handle.

I guess, that is why, many catholics turn away from God and become atheists. They have the laws, they have the bible, they have the rituals, and they have the moral codes, but they do not have a personal relationship with Christ.

God is far from them, and without God, men can have no strength to walk the christian walk on our own. Soon, the weight of the moral codes and religious rituals will fall hard on us, and we will break down. That is when the Catholics who had been depending on his own strength, thus far, to be a good person, a good catholic, will fall away from God and become an atheist.

His strength fails and he cannot take it, anymore, all the restrictions, and laws and rituals.

When one knows God really intimately, things become different. One no longer relies on ourselves to be good and perfect, but we trust in Christ to do the work.

Salvation becomes a method of faith, rather than of works. And so the one who trusts in God and has a close relationship with God is less likely to fall away.

[Celticflower]

I think that is because without an encounter of God, without a personal relationship with Jesus, without having taste the goodness of God's presence in their lives, and know through experience and a personal walk with God that He is real, being a catholic can be quite a difficult thing to do, because they had many restrictions, laws and impositions placed upon them.

Unless we have intimacy with Christ, and we have a close relationship with God, and know Him personally, laws and rituals and the religious way of life with its restrictions and impositions will be too much for most people to handle.

I guess, that is why, many catholics turn away from God and become atheists. They have the laws, they have the bible, they have the rituals, and they have the moral codes, but they do not have a personal relationship with Christ.

God is far from them, and without God, men can have no strength to walk the christian walk on our own. Soon, the weight of the moral codes and religious rituals will fall hard on us, and we will break down. That is when the Catholics who had been depending on his own strength, thus far, to be a good person, a good catholic, will fall away from God and become an atheist.

His strength fails and he cannot take it, anymore, all the restrictions, and laws and rituals.

When one knows God really intimately, things become different. One no longer relies on ourselves to be good and perfect, but we trust in Christ to do the work.

Salvation becomes a method of faith, rather than of works. And so the one who trusts in God and has a close relationship with God is less likely to fall away.

I read this twice and can't honestly say that the Catholics I know fit into your discription of a Catholic. They all are people of deep faith who do not depend on their own strength, but do trust in God. One dear Catholic friend of mine is the strongest prayer warrior I know and is the first to credit God for everything in her life. She has a deep, rich relationship with the Lord and he has helped her thru so much. She would be appalled to read what you posted (and so am I). The Catholic church is so much more than rituals and regulations.

You might also want to remember that there are shallow Christians in every walk of the Christian faith who will turn away from God because He doesn't give them what they think they deserve. (I'm so glad He doesn't give me what I truly deserve!)

[A. believer]

Far more, I'm quite certain than the OP. Which proves my point.

If she knows 100, and you know 5000, neither of you (nor both of you put together) have a large enough sampling to make broad generalizations. But I think it's safe to say that plenty of baptized Catholics have become atheists even if for no other reason that there are so many baptized Catholics (and plenty of atheists, including atheists in Catholic countries.) So perhaps you might want to dispense with the kneejerk reactions.

There are people who are raised in Christian homes who do reject God, and that fact doesn't necessarily say anything about the church background of the apostate. So why don't you just leave it at that.

[RccWarrior]

And out of the 6 billion baptized Catholics (or whatever the numbers are), you know the beliefs of how many of them?

Look up the Christian sourcebook and it will tell you.

[No Swansong]

You are quite mistaken in stating that large numbers of Catholics become athiests, that is simply false.
This post doesn't state that large numbers of Catholics become Atheists, it says that of the Catholics this individual knows it seemed the majority became atheists. This is a personal observation which would be impossible for any of us to confirm or disprove.
Additionally I can assure you, as someone who spent over 20 years (I was a teenaged convert) in the Catholic Church. Attended a Catholic High School, a Catholic University and took more than a few graduate level classes at a Catholic Seminary, that there are indeed Catholics who become Atheists. I am not sure that they would be any more significant of a percentage than Protestants. But they do indeed exist.

[A. believer]

Look up the Christian sourcebook and it will tell you.

Really? Someone interviewed them all? Impressive!

[Hishandmaiden]

I read this twice and can't honestly say that the Catholics I know fit into your discription of a Catholic. They all are people of deep faith who do not depend on their own strength, but do trust in God. One dear Catholic friend of mine is the strongest prayer warrior I know and is the first to credit God for everything in her life. She has a deep, rich relationship with the Lord and he has helped her thru so much. She would be appalled to read what you posted (and so am I). The Catholic church is so much more than rituals and regulations.

You might also want to remember that there are shallow Christians in every walk of the Christian faith who will turn away from God because He doesn't give them what they think they deserve. (I'm so glad He doesn't give me what I truly deserve!)

I am not refering to people like her. :) I had met a sister on a bus, who was a catholic, who was concerned for me, who I had never known in the country of Singapore. A complete stranger. And when she asked me what was wrong with me, and why I was crying, I told her I was a christian and was talking to God, and she told me she was a catholic, and I asked her if I could pray for her and she said okay.

I know there are catholics that love God. In fact, one of the christian book that impacted me greatly is by a catholic. It was a book on the realm of the prophetic gifts. This guy was someone who placed his trust in Jesus, and he was a catholic, and his book quoted from the bible and was a result to an answer to my prayer and was one of the first book to mentor in the realm of the prophetic gifts. I am not refering to catholics that love God and pray constantly before Him.

I am talking about those who follow rituals, came from christian home, grew up in christian background and never really encountered Christ.

I know there are christians (by that, I mean protestants) that belonged to this category, too, but this topic was asking about those catholics who fell away from God to become atheists. I am not talking about every catholic. I am talking about those who fall away. I am saying that those catholics fell away because they depended on themselves to live up to the moral code and did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Catholics, and christians, and everybody, we all need Jesus in order to be good. Any catholic, any christian who do not really know Jesus and have a close relationship with Him, and depend on our ownselves to live up to the ritual code, and the moral rules, are bound to fail in the end and fall away from Him.

I am sorry I make you apalled. That was not my intention.

I hope this makes my message clearer? I am not talking about every catholic, I am not saying there are no bad christian, I am talking only about those catholics who fall away. This also applies to christians who fall away, but since this thread is asking about catholics, I only mention catholics.

:)


Why those who fall away fall away.

Sorry if you misunderstand my message.

:)

[Hishandmaiden]

I am glad He does not give me what I deserve, too. :) I am also glad He gives me what I do not deserve.

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

You are quite mistaken in stating that large numbers of Catholics become athiests, that is simply false.

This post doesn't state that large numbers of Catholics become atheists, it says that .... .

The clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false.

[Uphill Battle]

The clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false.
true, that would be false.

I don't think it would be false to say that more R.C become athiest than protestant, but not because one is better than the other. It's simple numerics. Lets say that 10% of Christians deconvert. (God forbid!)

2000 Catholics, 1000, protestants (not acurate, of course.) meaning 200 Catholics and 100 protestants would become athiests.

Simple statistics state that the largest group would have the largest lost.

this is not, however, a comment on the RCC vs. Protestantism... I'm sure approximately the same number. percentage wise, of JW and LDS deconvert as well.

[A. believer]

The clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false.

:sigh:

[A. believer]

The clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false.

:sigh:

Even if that were the implication (and I'm not sure whether it is or not), let's ask this?

1) Who determines what constitutes a large number?

2) Why on God's green earth do you think you're qualified to speak for so many people you've never seen or met?

and most importantly

3) Why in the world do you feel the need to dispute a statement that you can't possibly have any way of knowing what its truth value is?

Your kneejerk defensiveness makes you appear extremely insecure. But still you continue.

[PaulAckermann]

Good morning all!!!!
I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.
Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..
It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....


It is difficult to compare Protestantism and Catholicism this way. It is like comparing apples and oranges. Protestants tend to segregate themselves from otyer Protestants who are not like-minded or as committed as they are. As a result, one Protestant church may be very liberal. Another Protestant church may be more spiritual. But the Catholicsm is different. In a Catholic Church, the wheat are mixed with the tares.

You probably are in a very dynamic Protestant Church. There are probably not many lukewarm Christians in your Church. This is not to say that there are not many lukewarm Protestant Christians. But these kind of Christians are probably already segregated out of your church, and go to a different church, something like the Unitarian Church. But the Catholic Church is different. There is a broad spectrum of different kinds of Christians, all going to the same church. This is why it may seem to you that more Protestants stay with the Lord than Catholics. You are isolated from the kind of Protestants who would tend to fall away.

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

I read this twice and can't honestly say that the Catholics I know fit into your discription of a Catholic. They all are people of deep faith who do not depend on their own strength, but do trust in God. One dear Catholic friend of mine is the strongest prayer warrior I know and is the first to credit God for everything in her life. She has a deep, rich relationship with the Lord and he has helped her thru so much. She would be appalled to read what you posted (and so am I). The Catholic church is so much more than rituals and regulations.

You might also want to remember that there are shallow Christians in every walk of the Christian faith who will turn away from God because He doesn't give them what they think they deserve. (I'm so glad He doesn't give me what I truly deserve!)

God bless you my sister in Christ.

Yours in Him.

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

he clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false

3) Why in the world do you feel the need to dispute a statement that you can't possibly have any way of knowing what its truth value is?

Your kneejerk defensiveness makes you appear extremely insecure. But still you continue.

Peace brother, there is no argument here. The fact is that if you will reread the OP you will see that it askes to have someone that "can shed some light on this subject". I am answering this call for illumination on the subject of the impression that a lot of Catholics become athiests. That is a false impression and is incorrect in that there are, in fact, not a lot of Catholics who become athiests.


May the peace of Christ be with you.

[No Swansong]

The clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false.
I don't see that implication, I only see a person making a personal observation, but it should be simple enough ask the OP if they intended to imply what you inferred.

[No Swansong]

Peace brother, there is no argument here. The fact is that if you will reread the OP you will see that it askes to have someone that "can shed some light on this subject". I am answering this call for illumination on the subject of the impression that a lot of Catholics become athiests. That is a false impression and is incorrect in that there are, in fact, not a lot of Catholics who become athiests.


May the peace of Christ be with you.
Actually in light of this post which was not directed to me; I must apologize I felt that you were questioning the validity of the personal experience of the OP. I did not realize that you were offereing an answer to the general query. Please excuse my confusion.

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

he clear implication of the OP is that a large number of Catholics become athiests. That is patently false

3) Why in the world do you feel the need to dispute a statement that you can't possibly have any way of knowing what its truth value is?

Your kneejerk defensiveness makes you appear extremely insecure. But still you continue.

Peace brother, there is no argument here. The fact is that if you will reread the OP you will see that it askes to have someone that "can shed some light on this subject". I am answering this call for illumination on the subject of the impression that a lot of Catholics become athiests. That is a false impression and is incorrect in that there are, in fact, not a lot of Catholics who become athiests.


May the peace of Christ be with you.


Actually in light of this post which was not directed to me; I must apologize I felt that you were questioning the validity of the personal experience of the OP. I did not realize that you were offereing an answer to the general query. Please excuse my confusion.

No problem brother. That is one of the reasons why I always "quote " the post that I am replying to. I wish I knew how to encourage others to do the same. It brings clarity and avoids confusion.

Peace and grace to you.

[Athanasias]

Good morning all!!!!

I have a question for ya and maybe someone can shed some light on this subject.

Okay, I know a lot of Christians and out of all the denomiations out there it seems that a majority of Catholics that I knew became athiest. I am counfused on why???..

It seems that only those whom were Catholic become athiest.....

Why Catholic and not any other denomination? Is it something in the Catholic teachings???...:scratch:

Please know that I am not trying to bust on Catholics at all but I just am really so confused on this subject....
:help:

Thank you kindly in advance!!!!:)

Most likely because they never had proper faith formation in the family and in their schools. and perhaps in some cases as addition tot he prior, life may have kicked them in the butt and they got angry and hopeless.

[Angeldove97]

Since becoming Catholic myself, I've had the chance to meet alot of truly dedicated and loving Catholics. Before I was Catholic, I only knew a few and I think when you actually get to meet more and see how they live [most of the time you can't tell a person is Catholic--- same way you can't really tell a person is Protestant or Orthodox] you'll realize how many of us are actually out there.

The Catholic Church has alot of members in it, so perhaps you're just noticing ones who are falling away and not seeing the ones who are joining the Church every day, every year.

[Rhamiel]

Originally Posted by Hishandmaiden http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=31753407#post31753407)
I think that is because without an encounter of God, without a personal relationship with Jesus, without having taste the goodness of God's presence in their lives, and know through experience and a personal walk with God that He is real, being a catholic can be quite a difficult thing to do, because they had many restrictions, laws and impositions placed upon them.

Unless we have intimacy with Christ, and we have a close relationship with God, and know Him personally, laws and rituals and the religious way of life with its restrictions and impositions will be too much for most people to handle.

I guess, that is why, many catholics turn away from God and become atheists. They have the laws, they have the bible, they have the rituals, and they have the moral codes, but they do not have a personal relationship with Christ.

that is true, for the Catholic who does not have an active relationship with God, it is impossible, it is like the Phareses who tried to be justified by the law,
but if you do have an active relationship with Christ, if He is what you live for, the you see the laws and rules as His loveing way to protect you from things that harm you, and sin harms you a lot(the wages of sin is death). So I would say what you posted is true for catholics who do not have a relationship with Christ and horrible untrue for Catholics who do have a healthy relationship with Christ