Why we left the Catholic Church

[Peter J Barban]

The mods suggested that this might be the appropriate forum for this discussion concerning ex-Catholics. I ask commenters to not attack or disparage those who have left the Catholic church.

I grew up in the Catholic church and it was the only religion I had any experience with. My mother was a devout Catholic and my brothers and I went to church every Sunday and Catechism class every Saturday. I went to confession, and I was confirmed. However, I was not saved and by the time I was in high school I had doubts about Jesus and the Bible.

My mother taught me and it seemed confirmed by the church that we had to earn our salvation through good works. Many Catholics say that this is not taught in the church, but that was the only gospel I knew: believe in Jesus and work hard to get into heaven. But while I believed in a generic creator God, I was agnostic about Jesus and the Bible.

In my second year of college, searching for meaning in life, I began studying the Bible with a Protestant student group. They showed me the gospel of grace and salvation by faith, not by works. This was new to me and I was skeptical. But over several months of studying the Bible, I became convinced that they were right. Furthermore, this group of students was living out their beliefs in a way that made their lives far more attractive than any Catholics I knew.

So, I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and began attending a non-denominational church on campus. This new form of worship was quite a culture shock for an insular Catholic such as myself. A week later, God spoke to my heart and called me to become a missionary.

When I returned home on break, my family was shocked - I had never gone through a rebellious phase and now I had left the church and become a religious fanatic. My father said I was insane. My mother made me go to our local priest and talk things out with him.

I told the priest that I left the church because they never taught me the gospel of grace, that I didn't accept the Pope's authority and that I wanted to interpret the Bible myself without the guidance of millennia of Church teachings (like praying to Saints), but I was very intent on living for Jesus and serving God as a missionary. Surprisingly, the priest actually agreed that it was better for me to leave the Catholic church. That's my story in a nutshell.

I encourage other Christians who have left the Catholic church to share their stories as well.

 

[Guojing]

The mods suggested that this might be the appropriate forum for this discussion concerning ex-Catholics. I ask commenters to not attack or disparage those who have left the Catholic church.

I grew up in the Catholic church and it was the only religion I had any experience with. My mother was a devout Catholic and my brothers and I went to church every Sunday and Catechism class every Saturday. I went to confession, and I was confirmed. However, I was not saved and by the time I was in high school I had doubts about Jesus and the Bible.

My mother taught me and it seemed confirmed by the church that we had to earn our salvation through good works. Many Catholics say that this is not taught in the church, but that was the only gospel I knew: believe in Jesus and work hard to get into heaven. But while I believed in a generic creator God, I was agnostic about Jesus and the Bible.

In my second year of college, searching for meaning in life, I began studying the Bible with a Protestant student group. They showed me the gospel of grace and salvation by faith, not by works. This was new to me and I was skeptical. But over several months of studying the Bible, I became convinced that they were right. Furthermore, this group of students was living out their beliefs in a way that made their lives far more attractive than any Catholics I knew.

So, I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and began attending a non-denominational church on campus. This new form of worship was quite a culture shock for an insular Catholic such as myself. A week later, God spoke to my heart and called me to become a missionary.

When I returned home on break, my family was shocked - I had never gone through a rebellious phase and now I had left the church and become a religious fanatic. My father said I was insane. My mother made me go to our local priest and talk things out with him.

I told the priest that I left the church because they never taught me the gospel of grace, that I didn't accept the Pope's authority and that I wanted to interpret the Bible myself without the guidance of millennia of Church teachings (like praying to Saints), but I was very intent on living for Jesus and serving God as a missionary. Surprisingly, the priest actually agreed that it was better for me to leave the Catholic church. That's my story in a nutshell.

I encourage other Christians who have left the Catholic church to share their stories as well.

Thanks for sharing your testimony.

Out of the Catholics you know, can you see the vast majority of them believing that Christ died for their sins and rose again on the 3rd day for their justification, as per Romans 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4?

Do they preach that in Catholic churches?

 

[Michie]

Thanks for sharing your testimony.

Out of the Catholics you know, can you see the vast majority of them believing that Christ died for their sins and rose again on the 3rd day for their justification, as per Romans 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4?

Do they preach that in Catholic churches?

Yes.

 

[Guojing]

Yes.

In that case, they are all saved then

 

[Michie]

In that case, they are all saved then

I’m agreeing that Christ died for our sins and rose again on the third day. Not twisting it into something that is not taught. We pick up our crosses and follow Him. We do not have no responsibility in our journeys.

 

[Unqualified]

I got saved with the catholic charismatics. But practiced fornication in stead. I tried the Assembly of God but to formal and focused on other doctrines. The I tried Calvary chapel and I thought awesome teachings and history of chuck smith. Tried a few more Catholic Churches but not the true gospel- too many times strayed from bible. Moved from there tried catholic but they had a Calvary chapel! Took me awhile and I have learned and grown and love my Bible and am justified by not committing my major sins and God grace and Jesus death and resurrection. Long messed up path. But I think I’ve got it now.

 

[Unqualified]

The Catholic Church is not the one true religion.

 

[Michie]

The Catholic Church is not the one true religion.

It does not say that. It’s the one true Church. It holds the fullness of our faith.

 

[Unqualified]

Why the prayers then.

 

[Michie]

Why the prayers then.

For understanding and discernment without prejudice. Nothing wrong with that. You could pray for me as well. I won’t complain.

 

[jesuslover811]

hahaha thats funny someone going to higher education and not becoming a atheist your father must be right bahaha.

 

[chevyontheriver]

The mods suggested that this might be the appropriate forum for this discussion concerning ex-Catholics. I ask commenters to not attack or disparage those who have left the Catholic church.

That’s a wonderful idea, but does it work both ways or only one way?

 

[jesuslover811]

It does not say that. It’s the one true Church. It holds the fullness of our faith.

Any church that has Jesus Christ as the head is the true church

 

[Martinius]

Surprisingly, the priest actually agreed that it was better for me to leave the Catholic church. That's my story in a nutshell.

I think the Catholic clergy is more sympathetic to those who change to other denominations than most lay Catholics are.

I am also curious about the reasons people leave Catholicism. One reason I hear is that some are not fulfilled by Catholicism, which is what Peter, OP, is saying, I think. Something is missing. The externals are there, but people are not internalizing and living their faith very deeply. Many just go through the motions. In other faiths, a definite commitment is expected, something more than receiving Sacraments and going to Mass each weekend.

Another issue may be the way the Catholic hierarchy looks upon the laity. We are to be followers, a flock with a shepherd, not really expected to think or act for ourselves. I recall one person who left the Catholic Church and joined a Protestant faith. He got involved in ministry and was called to preach the Gospel, which he had an apparent talent for. That is something that in Catholicism is left to the ordained clergy, not to others.

Surveys tell us that most former Catholics left because they were unhappy with their church and found another that they liked better and that was more welcoming. Theology and doctrines were not the main reasons for switching; rather they went where they felt more welcome and valued.

 

[Peter J Barban]

Thanks for sharing your testimony.

Out of the Catholics you know, can you see the vast majority of them believing that Christ died for their sins and rose again on the 3rd day for their justification, as per Romans 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4?

Do they preach that in Catholic churches?

The official Catholic gospel sounds a lot like the Protestant gospel message. But in the end, the Catholic church holds the keys of salvation, not the believer. And works must go with faith, they cannot be separated.

The secular Catholics. like myself and my friends, can be reached just like everyone else when the Holy Spirit draws them.

It seems much more difficult for sincere religious Catholics. They put the church between themselves and God. Without the Church, they cannot imagine life with God.

For example, my mother was days from dying of cancer and I was concerned about her salvation, but I didn't want to badger her as we both understood the other's position. So I urged her to trust Jesus. She replied that she trusted the (Catholic) church. After she died, I wondered if such faith could save her. Maybe yes. Or maybe the Catholic church was an idol for her.

 

[SkyWriting]

The Catholic Church is not the one true religion.

Christianity is the religion of Catholics.....so.....I think your point is lost.

 

[Unqualified]

For understanding and discernment without prejudice. Nothing wrong with that. You could pray for me as well. I won’t complain.

if you believe like you say we are fellow believers and both entitled to heaven. My experience with some is they just go to church. But I know other Catholics who believe in all of Jesus and are doers of the word like they should be.

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

I wanted to interpret the Bible myself without the guidance of millennia of Church teachings (like praying to Saints)

One of the main reasons there are 1000s of denominations...

 

[Unqualified]

Christianity is the religion of Catholics.....so.....I think your point is lost.

But it’s not religion we want.

 

[SkyWriting]

But it’s not religion we want.

What group of folks are you speaking for?

James 1:26-27
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.