Former Catholics

[vle045]

I'd like to get some input from some former Catholics. I know several Catholics who wish to convert to various Protestant Denominations. And I think only former Catholics can really understand what that means.

Catholics teach that it has the fullness of truth, apostolic succession, and was the only one founded by Jesus.

They also teach that if you know this, are a member of the Catholic Church, then deny her, you are committing a grave sin of Apostacy (? I think that's the word)

It sets you up to feel that you are basically sealing your fate to hell if you want to join up with Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, etc.

What I am wondering is with all of that teaching, how did you... or someone you know, still convert away from Catholicism? It's like a big cloud looming over you.

Did you just say "You guys are all corrupt. I'm outta here." Or was it more difficult?"

I know several people struggling with this. They have all sorts of conflicts with the Catholic Church, yet feel it might be heresy to leave.

I think that it just makes them more depressed, unhappy, angry, etc. And I think it's just better to get where you feel uplifted. But at the same time, there's that looming fear.

How do you make that leap from a belief system that is so strict?

[Qyöt27]

While I myself was not raised Catholic, my dad was, and I became interested in it some years ago (which resulted in me getting my opinions on the big issues cleared up, because we were raised with the common anti-Catholic claims being treated as the sober truth).

In essence, I think it may have to be how one approaches the situation - they probably have to accept the broader definition of 'catholic' as being 'universal', the same as the usage of the term in the Nicene Creed, and put the historical unity of the church at the time the creed was written aside. I also think if one is convinced of the Truth in a particular church that the transition is likely much easier, but it will still feel awkward for a while, until they become much more firmly grounded in where they stand. This is true in even smaller matters of just theology and opinion (I went through something similar when I finally rejected all the trappings of futurism and whatnot and went with preterism, or in the case of switching away from creationism - these are just personal examples of mine). Confidence comes with one's own assurance that they've found the truth in the matter.

[Speculative]

I'm a former Catholic, and I just became convinced through reading and talking to people from other denominations that I did not believe a lot of the teachings of the Roman Catholic church.

If I thought it was heretical to leave, I never would've done it. I don't think I ever really struggled with it. It was just a matter of looking for and considering other denominations and finding that they worked better for me.

I do miss the Catholic church from time to time, but my love for it is based more on the rich liturgy than any of the teachings.

[vle045]

When you say "rich liturgy", what exactly do you mean? I've heard people say that, but I don't really know what it means.

[Speculative]

Rich liturgy, to me means the order of the mass, the ornate altar, sanctuary, windows, robes, and other trappings of the church, the symbolism in the Eucharistic celebration, Stations of the Cross, Holy Days, Liturgical Calendar, praying of the Rosary, and things like that. I suppose some of this goes beyond "Liturgy", but these are some of the things I miss about the Roman Catholic church.

We still have some of these things in Methodism, but not as much. This is to our detriment, IMO.

[footprints1973]

I was raised Catholic, but left the church and all religon for awhile.

I finally realized I needed God in my life, but decided not to return the Catholic church because I did not agree with some of their beliefs and I personally was bored by the liturigcal style. I have no ill will toward the Catholic church however, it is just not for me.

As for the idea that the Catholic Church is the only true church and that those who leave for a protestant church are heretic, ok, whatever. But hellbound??? Why would a loving God do that?? There are no denominations in heaven. As a Nazarene pastor once told me, "We Christians are all Children of the SAME God and brothers and sisters of Christ"

Laura

[MoeSzyslak]

I don't think it's just with the Catholic church. I know folks struggling to get out of other denominations with the same feelings.

I left the Catholic church when I was 21. I personally never had the struggle you speak of. I personally saw it as corrupt so I ran from it. (OK.. jogged.) 15 years later, my feelings aren't near as harsh. I was a young know it all at the time.

They also teach that if you know this
This statement always strikes me as funny. If you left, then obviously you didn't know this?

I put my hope for salvation in Jesus. Not in an organization headed by a man in Rome or anywhere else for that matter.

[tz620q]

I put my hope for salvation in Jesus. Not in an organization headed by a man in Rome or anywhere else for that matter.

As well it should be.


:bow: Wow, nice San Damiano cross.

[cristianna]

Not to go off topic, but I found this very interesting. When I joined our UMC church I found 95% were Catholics leaving their church (our membership group was close to 25-35 people).

Coincidence? Possibly. But I still to this day find it very interesting.

[PaladinGirl]

Rich liturgy, to me means the order of the mass, the ornate altar, sanctuary, windows, robes, and other trappings of the church, the symbolism in the Eucharistic celebration, Stations of the Cross, Holy Days, Liturgical Calendar, praying of the Rosary, and things like that. I suppose some of this goes beyond "Liturgy", but these are some of the things I miss about the Roman Catholic church.

We still have some of these things in Methodism, but not as much. This is to our detriment, IMO.
Just so you know, even as a Methodist, you don't have to give up on praying the rosary unless you have theological difficulties with it and even then you don't have to give up on it. :) In fact, I'd encourage you to pray the rosary. :thumbsup:

[Speculative]

Just so you know, even as a Methodist, you don't have to give up on praying the rosary unless you have theological difficulties with it and even then you don't have to give up on it. :) In fact, I'd encourage you to pray the rosary. :thumbsup:Thanks for that. Actually, I brought this up in another thread, and received several messages from Catholics encouraging me, just as you have.

I found the Rosary to be a tremendously powerful prayer form.

However, at the suggestion of one of our Orthodox members, I've taken up using an orthodox prayer rope. It's similar to a rosary, but I find the Jesus prayer fits me better right now than Hail Marys. As a matter of fact, I think the Jesus prayer is brilliant and effective.

That's not to say I wouldn't return to the rosary, but the prayer rope is working for me right now. God Bless. :)

[vle045]

Rich liturgy, to me means the order of the mass, the ornate altar, sanctuary, windows, robes, and other trappings of the church, the symbolism in the Eucharistic celebration, Stations of the Cross, Holy Days, Liturgical Calendar, praying of the Rosary, and things like that. I suppose some of this goes beyond "Liturgy", but these are some of the things I miss about the Roman Catholic church.

We still have some of these things in Methodism, but not as much. This is to our detriment, IMO.
Thank you for sharing. I personally would not miss any of those things because I never really practiced any of it. Catholocism is really new to me.

[~Karin~]

former Catholic here....leaving the Church was hard because I love the mysticism and rituals. However, I just cannot reconcile my conscience with all of the Church's teachings.....as of now I do not attend any church. Who knows what the future holds though as I have attended all of the denominations and love things about all of them. :)

[MoeSzyslak]

Wow, nice San Damiano cross.


Thank you. I was named after St, Francis and enjoy reading the Fioretti. Therefore the San Damiano cross.

[vle045]

former Catholic here....leaving the Church was hard because I love the mysticism and rituals. However, I just cannot reconcile my conscience with all of the Church's teachings.....as of now I do not attend any church. Who knows what the future holds though as I have attended all of the denominations and love things about all of them. :)
Hi Karin! :hug: If this is your first venture into this specific forum on CF, let me tell you that the people here are the nicest I have come across. Most of the chatting happens in the fellowship thread.... although it has been quiet recently.

One thing I like is that everyone here can discuss different points of view without bashing others.

[~Karin~]

Hi Vle!
I've been all over this forum....I'm very ecumenical! :)I've enjoyed your posts in OBOB, I know you are in RCIA...feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk....struggles with religion are my specialty! :)

[cristianna]

Hi Vle!
I've been all over this forum....I'm very ecumenical! :)I've enjoyed your posts in OBOB, I know you are in RCIA...feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk....struggles with religion are my specialty! :)

Hi Karin! :wave:

I had a chuckle from your "struggles with religion" being your specialty.

[~Karin~]

Hi Cristianna!
:) It's true! I love God but just don't seem to fit anywhere when it comes to religion....so I guess I'll just have to remain a ecumenical misfit! :)

[cristianna]

Hi Cristianna!
:) It's true! I love God but just don't seem to fit anywhere when it comes to religion....so I guess I'll just have to remain a ecumenical misfit! :)

One day. :hug:

And anyway, God loves misfits just as much as He loves those who find the perfect fit.

[jomcensus]

For me, leaving the Catholic church (about 18 years ago) wasn't all that hard to do, with the exception of family protests - my sister hauled me in front of a priest to explain myself. I haven't been officially excommunicated, but I consider that a formality that I've basically accomplished through self-excommunication.

The trouble for me was post-Catholicism - since I picked through the theological-biblical underpinnings of the Catholic church and discovered some things I saw as inconsistent, the same defining of my own belief through questioning it has resulted in difficulty associating with a single protestant denomination. I tend to find things that seem inconsistent or troubling and then stop attending.

It seems like I'm always searching for the "correct" denomination. Thinking about it from that point of view, though, I've discovered that most of the people that attend the various denominational churches I've attended don't concentrate on those nit-picky theological things (even the Catholics!).

I'm currently attending services at a Methodist church - I've made some friends in the church and recently have thinking about the difference between "orthodoxy" and "orthopraxy" more than the finer theological points of doctrine.

So yeah, for me, leaving the Catholic church has greatly influenced me in a couple of different ways.

[vle045]

Hi Vle!
I've been all over this forum....I'm very ecumenical! :)I've enjoyed your posts in OBOB, I know you are in RCIA...feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk....struggles with religion are my specialty! :)
hehehehe... I may take you up on that. Keep your PM box open.

[vle045]

Hi Cristianna!
:) It's true! I love God but just don't seem to fit anywhere when it comes to religion....so I guess I'll just have to remain a ecumenical misfit! :)
It seems to me that Methodists are very welcoming to all kinds. Maybe you will fit in there.

[GraceSeeker]

vle, have you read this post http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=43259316#post43259316 by Moe, Why I didn't take my final monastic vows (http://christianforums.com/t6092852-why-i-didnt-take-my-final-monastic-vows.html) ? I think it might help you to read it.

[vle045]

vle, have you read this post http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=43259316#post43259316 by Moe, Why I didn't take my final monastic vows (http://christianforums.com/t6092852-why-i-didnt-take-my-final-monastic-vows.html) ? I think it might help you to read it.
I didnt know about that thread, but have now read it. Thanks. Kind of interesting, really. Especially the part about no salvation outside of the group. That actually goes along with something I was thinking today.

I have this giagantic mountain of papers that I have been trying to get control over. While working on that task today, I came across the brochures I got from the UMC.org There was tons of info there. At the end of the letter enclosed with the brochures, it closed with some sort of line that said something to the effect of, no matter where you go... may God bless you...

So basically, they were saying, they hope you find a home somewhere, even if it's not United Methodist. In contrast, Caltholics will say they are the only "Home" and anything else would be heretical.

[RadicallyTransformedMom]

hi Vle,
Former Catholic here. i was raised Catholic and then spent years going back and forth from Catholic to various Protestant or Evangelical churches. I still love the liturgy, sacraments and most of the teachings at the Catholic church, it's too bad they lack in bible study or fellowship or i might still be there. Anyhoo..i do believe in apostolic succession and the eucharist and confession and all that...STILL.
But what i have finally come to terms with is the spirit of the law vs. the letter of the law. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and i believe though each church has most of the truth but might be off on some doctrine..they are still viable. i see the catholic church as the universal body of Christ. I see Christians in every denomination...i also see non-christians warming pews in every denomination..including Catholic. I dont believe it is heresy to leave the Catholic church..it would be heresy to leave Jesus! God guides us and the Holy Spirit convicts us and i feel we are at the right place RIGHT NOW in our life.
my suggestion to you is to pray and to ask God to show you and guide you to the church he wants you to attend. Dont put peoples opinions over God's. Remember the Pharisees were pretty religious! (just a thought)

[Joykins]

I come from a Baptist-type background and to me the Methodist church we go to now seems very liturgical. That's the difference perspective makes I guess..

[soda]

I observe that there are a lot of former catholics in our methodist church. I can't quite explain why, but here is my guess:
(you have to know that catholic and protestant church are subsidized by the government in switzerland. other churches like umc, etc... have to finance themselves)

- when you go to church, you can be sure there are christian with a relationship to god (in other churches they often go out of tradition)
- methodist have probably more traditions in their services than other churches (except for catholics, but that fact makes them feel familiar in services)
- people are active, participate in the community live and find places according to their god-given gifts.


note: these are statements of mine, don't mean to offend anybody
and my personal advice: find a community that goes the same direction as you (toward god).