How about protestantism is a lie?
That said the protestants I've met have found the infigting; inumerable idiotic interpretations f scripture, and profound lack of spirituality in the protestant church a solid reason to leave it.
>> I read the article as an analysis of the reasons ex-Protestants have given for becoming Catholic and how those arguments don't have merit from a true Protestant's perspective. <<
It's the assertion of the arguments as meritless that I'm addressing. I'd think it'd be much better if such an article looked at how the Protestant Churches could better meet the arguments themselves, then dismiss the arguments.
And please don't regard my comments as merely "advice from an opponent," a la Dick Morris' political advice. I certainly consider Protestantism far superior than agnosticism, atheism, irreligionism, or simply Sunday-couch-potato-ism. I'm not concerned that a focus on simply negating the validity of "neo-Catholics'" (I like that word, by the way) concerns will be ineffective; I'm concerned that when occasionally it is effective, it will not have the result of keeping such would-be neo-Catholics in Protestant churches, but rather simply weakening their faith.
Suppose every point in the article is 100% true. And suppose that the reader is capable of convincing the would-be neo-Catholic of that truth. Is the neo-Catholic going to be any more satisfied with the Protestant Church they were in? Wouldn't the person be better off in a Catholic Church, even though for imperfect reasons, then slowly dwindling away from a Protestant church?
Often, I debate topics on FR for intellectual simulation and formation, and to spread my points to other Catholics who might be engaged in apologetics. This post is one of the few that actually concerns me.
Obviously they did not know why they were "Protestants" in the first instance.
I think the best way to find out why people leave a Protestant church for Catholic or Orthodox or why Catholics leave for Protestant churches is to read their own reasons. The conversion stories of Scott Hahn,
Thomas Howard, Dorothy Day ( from atheistic socialism to Catholicism) Cardinal Newman and G.K. Chesterton are not simply about various things. I would assume the same of converts from Catholicism.
And though I am Catholic and believe fully in Church teachings I would rather a poor Catholic become a good Protestant then remain where they are not able to see and love Christ with their whole beings.