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...have you or would you ever think of attending and possibly converting to a Protestant religion that is similar to Catholicism?...
My father was a very devout Catholic, (rest his soul). My mother was not. Us six kids were raised Catholic and I attended the local Catholic parochial school from the first through eight grade, and was even an alter boy for a year.
When I was fourteen years old, one of my neighborhood playmates invited me to one of his church socials, then shortly thereafter, to one of his Sunday services. I can specifically remember, "Wow, these people really care about each other." As a child and young teen, I didn't get much out of Mass and remember leaving right after Mass and not socializing much at all. The people in the protestant church socialized for quite awhile after services.
The thing that really was an eye-opener for me is that the protestant church actually read the Bible and talked about what was in it during their services. Up to that time, and even in eight years of parochial school, we never read from the Bible or studied it. Sure, as young kids, we got the standard Bible stories. But, how could we go through eight years in a Catholic school without ever having to refer to a Bible or study it? There was catechism, but not any Bible study, or study straight out of a Bible.
That is the main reason that I no longer attend Mass, but attend a non-Catholic Christian church. I am not anti-Catholic in any way and always make it a point to visit the Vatican whenever I am in Rome, one year attending the Wednesday morning Papal audience. The Mass I attended in Buenos Aires was a bit strange/different. It was at the church where some the first people were hauled away, (and disappeared), during Argentina's "Dirty War" in the late 70s and early 80s. The priest was a guitar-strumming song leader while conducting the Mass. It was actually a very nice Mass.
I most closely identify myself as a member of the Church of Christ. It's sort of come full-circle because my great-great grandfather was a Church of Christ missionary to Australia and was a preacher for many years in the Boise area. I don't have any idea what his son, (my great grandfather), believed, but I do know that my grandmother was agnostic, maybe even an atheist. I don't know, and never will as she is long gone, as are my parents. I'm curious to know what happened to cause my grandmother to not believe. Her husband, (my paternal grandfather), must have been a Catholic and raised his son, (my dad), to be one. My dad went to a Catholic high school in the Los Angeles area.
My father was a very devout Catholic, (rest his soul). My mother was not. Us six kids were raised Catholic and I attended the local Catholic parochial school from the first through eight grade, and was even an alter boy for a year.
When I was fourteen years old, one of my neighborhood playmates invited me to one of his church socials, then shortly thereafter, to one of his Sunday services. I can specifically remember, "Wow, these people really care about each other." As a child and young teen, I didn't get much out of Mass and remember leaving right after Mass and not socializing much at all. The people in the protestant church socialized for quite awhile after services.
The thing that really was an eye-opener for me is that the protestant church actually read the Bible and talked about what was in it during their services. Up to that time, and even in eight years of parochial school, we never read from the Bible or studied it. Sure, as young kids, we got the standard Bible stories. But, how could we go through eight years in a Catholic school without ever having to refer to a Bible or study it? There was catechism, but not any Bible study, or study straight out of a Bible.
That is the main reason that I no longer attend Mass, but attend a non-Catholic Christian church. I am not anti-Catholic in any way and always make it a point to visit the Vatican whenever I am in Rome, one year attending the Wednesday morning Papal audience. The Mass I attended in Buenos Aires was a bit strange/different. It was at the church where some the first people were hauled away, (and disappeared), during Argentina's "Dirty War" in the late 70s and early 80s. The priest was a guitar-strumming song leader while conducting the Mass. It was actually a very nice Mass.
I most closely identify myself as a member of the Church of Christ. It's sort of come full-circle because my great-great grandfather was a Church of Christ missionary to Australia and was a preacher for many years in the Boise area. I don't have any idea what his son, (my great grandfather), believed, but I do know that my grandmother was agnostic, maybe even an atheist. I don't know, and never will as she is long gone, as are my parents. I'm curious to know what happened to cause my grandmother to not believe. Her husband, (my paternal grandfather), must have been a Catholic and raised his son, (my dad), to be one. My dad went to a Catholic high school in the Los Angeles area.
I respect your stance and in no way will try to persuade you any differently. But you said that we never read from the Bible as Catholics? Were you aware that at every Mass there are at least 2 readings (3 on Sunday) directly from the Bible? And it is normal for the Pastor to give a homily regarding those readings?
I have been to many Protestant churches many times. I see nothing wrong with their worship which is mostly copied form the Catholic mass. I see no fault with what they do because no religion is better than another.
My only beef is that some Protestant churches look sterile with just four walls and little or no art. Some don't even have a cross. When I go to a church I want to feel I am in church and I don't get that sensation because of the sparse or non-existent decor in some Sola Scriptura Churches. Anglican and Lutheran churches are fine.
I feel the same way. I'm now Presbyterian, but our church feels like a church. You know, pews, stained glass, an actual altar, candles, cross, etc. But the non-denominational churches feel more like a warehouse to me. But it that's what works for some people, then good for them.
I attend Mass at least once a week. More if I can. And more often than not the music is ... well, I don't have the words. Disappointing to say the least. There are times I actually want to throw the hymnal at the guitarist. I told my wife a week or two ago that I'm very afraid we're only one evening Mass away from the choir leader unpacking a banjo and singing, "Get Down Moses."
Which is a shame, considering that some of the most beautiful music ever written (Beethoeven, Mozart, Bach, Palestrina) was written specifically for the Mass. I don't understand why we've been cursed with kumbaya campfire tunes at Mass.
lol! (at the banjo statement). I know what you mean. My Presbyterian church is very into traditional music and litergy, with a choir and pipe organ, occassional brass intruments added. They often have music in Latin, and pieces by Clasical artists. This is what I enjoy, and what works for me.
But I've heard from friends who are on the opposite end of the spectrum (meaning the rock band/praise music evangelicals) that they can't stand the very traditional churches and classical music or liturgy. I wouldn't say "their way" is irrelevant or wrong, it just shows that different styles work for different people.
My father was a very devout Catholic, (rest his soul). My mother was not. Us six kids were raised Catholic and I attended the local Catholic parochial school from the first through eight grade, and was even an alter boy for a year.
When I was fourteen years old, one of my neighborhood playmates invited me to one of his church socials, then shortly thereafter, to one of his Sunday services. I can specifically remember, "Wow, these people really care about each other." As a child and young teen, I didn't get much out of Mass and remember leaving right after Mass and not socializing much at all. The people in the protestant church socialized for quite awhile after services.
The thing that really was an eye-opener for me is that the protestant church actually read the Bible and talked about what was in it during their services. Up to that time, and even in eight years of parochial school, we never read from the Bible or studied it. Sure, as young kids, we got the standard Bible stories. But, how could we go through eight years in a Catholic school without ever having to refer to a Bible or study it? There was catechism, but not any Bible study, or study straight out of a Bible.
That is the main reason that I no longer attend Mass, but attend a non-Catholic Christian church. I am not anti-Catholic in any way and always make it a point to visit the Vatican whenever I am in Rome, one year attending the Wednesday morning Papal audience. The Mass I attended in Buenos Aires was a bit strange/different. It was at the church where some the first people were hauled away, (and disappeared), during Argentina's "Dirty War" in the late 70s and early 80s. The priest was a guitar-strumming song leader while conducting the Mass. It was actually a very nice Mass.
I most closely identify myself as a member of the Church of Christ. It's sort of come full-circle because my great-great grandfather was a Church of Christ missionary to Australia and was a preacher for many years in the Boise area. I don't have any idea what his son, (my great grandfather), believed, but I do know that my grandmother was agnostic, maybe even an atheist. I don't know, and never will as she is long gone, as are my parents. I'm curious to know what happened to cause my grandmother to not believe. Her husband, (my paternal grandfather), must have been a Catholic and raised his son, (my dad), to be one. My dad went to a Catholic high school in the Los Angeles area.
I agree that most evangelicals tend to be more social with their fellow parishioners. If you were in need of this sort of thing this church is right for you. If you go to a large Catholic Church and you are NEW no one will notice you. No one will come looking for you.
As a Catholic I am not interested in being that close to fellow parishioners, so the detachment works fine for me.
If you are bible oriented, then a Sola Scriptura Church is best for you. As a Catholic I prefer the milenary traditions over the Sola Scriptura philosophy. Your story is not unusual!
I respect your stance and in no way will try to persuade you any differently. But you said that we never read from the Bible as Catholics? Were you aware that at every Mass there are at least 2 readings (3 on Sunday) directly from the Bible? And it is normal for the Pastor to give a homily regarding those readings?
I missed that part. There is always a reading from the OT, a singing psalm, NT, and the gospel. That is four reading from the bible in the mass. I suspect, he was asleep during mass.
But, mostly I think he was impressed by the attention evangelical parishioners pay to those that visit the church.
My in-laws go to a very progressive Baptist church. They have an entire band on stage. I call it a stage because it's nothing like an altar. Multi level with lots of microphones and the drummer is right in the middle. No cross anywhere to be found. Put any local band up there and serve beer in the back and it's a concert hall. And they have 2 huge projection screens that have the words to their songs like karaoke. Nobody knows the words. They are all just staring at the screens singing these pesudo-rock songs.
To each his own. But it's certainly not for me. I've NEVER left there with any feeling of spirituality.
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