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So what?

Just an observation. It seems that most lapsed Catholics leave the Church not because of bad theology but bad experience. If one were to actually read the most recent Pew poll about the surge in South American Pentecostalism that's been touted around here they would see that most "conversions" are the result of a desire for a way of worship more in line with their indigenous pagan beliefs and the prospects of economic advancement.

What caused me to leave that then was the disparity I saw between what I read in Scripture and what the Catholic church taught.

I know. It's so empowering. To be able to say, "I decide." Or to use the Holy Spirit as cover when they reject the Eucharist. Thinking one is a Berean. It's a shame so many protestants can't get past themselves to live their faith as opposed to just reading about it.

... they would see that most "conversions" are the result of a desire for a way of worship more in line with their indigenous pagan beliefs and the prospects of economic advancement. ...

Hahahahahaaaaa!

I live now in the Philippines. The Protestant growth here is astounding, when you consider the Spanish influence from the past. The social or economic significance is minimal, but the Spirit of God is moving their hearts and minds out of the BONDAGE of that man-made cult, with many FORMER BRAINWASHED adherents worldwide, seeing the TRUTH of God's plan!

Ignorance is beautiful, isn't it, JPX?

Romans 3: 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Or to use the Holy Spirit as cover when they reject the Eucharist

to reject the catholic version and all the requirements that go along with it....yes.

to accept the Biblical version is better where Jesus said "Do this in remembrance of Me."

To participate one must (comments in parenthesis are mine):

1) The individual must be in a “state of grace” (1 Corinthians 11:27–28). One loses the “state of grace” by committing a mortal sin. Examples of mortal sins are abortion (receiving one or participating in one), homosexual acts, sex outside of marriage, deliberate impure thoughts, etc.(catholic requirement regarding mortal sin. Catholicism teaches one can lose their salvation contrary to what the Bible teaches regarding the security of the believer in Christ.....The Bible teaches Christ has forgiven ALL of our sins...past, present and future. Ephesians 1:13-14 teaches "we have been sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise."

2) The person has attended confession since his/her last mortal sin. (catholic requirement regarding attending confession...not a Biblical one as Christians can confess their sins directly to Christ Who freely forgives)

3) The communicant must believe in transubstantiation, meaning the bread is transformed into the actual flesh of Christ and the wine is transformed into the actual blood of Christ. (catholic requirement...not a Biblical one as the bread and wine are symbols of the flesh and blood Christ shed for us)

4) The person must observe the Eucharistic fast by abstaining from food and drink for at least one hour prior to communion. (catholic requirement...not a Biblical one)

5) The individual must not be under an ecclesiastical censure such as excommunication.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-Mass.html#ixzz3L4nNvylK