Posted on 05/31/2014 3:30:55 PM PDT by boatbums
The Wizard of Oz has fascinated adults and children for many years. You know the story: a farm girl from Kansas finds herself in the middle of an unwelcomed adventure in an attempt to find the fanciful wizard, who, she hopes, will help her return home. After many trials and tribulations, she, along with her newfound friends, ultimately arrives at the Emerald City only to discover, much to her chagrin, that the "wizard" was really no wizard at all. He wasn't much of anything. In modern parlance, he was a wimp.
Believe it or not, many-a-Protestant claims to have experienced a disenchantment similar to that of Dorothy. And like the disenchanted Dorothy who just wanted to go home, so too these disenchanted Protestants want to go home. The home these Protestants long for, however, is not the home they left behind. These Protestants are Romeward bound.
True, the number of Protestant converts to Catholicism is less than the other way around. And there are less actual converts to Rome today than during previous points in the history of Catholicism. Nevertheless, there is something unique about this modern conversion phenomenon, since "the kind of converts appears to be quite different, with fewer obligatory conversions for such reasons as marriage. A significant number of Protestant evangelicals...are among those moving to Rome...."
Many evangelical Protestants are converting to "Roman obedience." Or, in the words of one such convert, they are "getting churched" or "poping." Jocularity aside, it is important for Protestants to come to grips with the reasons why these Neocatholics have set their compasses toward Rome, only then will Protestants be able to see some of the shortcomings of their espoused faith. Only then will they be able to meet the needs of those who are "taking the plunge."
(Excerpt) Read more at reformed.org ...
Your tagline says it all.
pfl
For a Catholic you certainly don’t seem to know much about the annulment process.
There is no large profit made for the tribunal from the process. Call a local diocese and ask the cost. Less than a divorce attorney for sure.
“The idea that I would go ever back to Catholicism is foreign to me. I can’t imagine any reason why I would ever want to.”
You didn’t just leave a church or change religions.
You left the Eucharist. You left Jesus.
For what? grape juice and crackers, or grape juice and white bread?
Or did you become Mormon and leave the Eucharist for water and Wonder bread?
It amazes me that any Catholic could leave Jesus for any reason. And when you left the Eucharist you left Jesus.
You and God will be having quite the conversation.
“For a Catholic you certainly don’t seem to know much about the annulment process.”
metmom is not Catholic. She also is not knowledgeable about anything Catholic - as you’ll see as you continue to read her posts.
“For a Catholic you certainly don’t seem to know much about the annulment process.”
metmom is not Catholic. She also DOES NOT SEEM TO BE knowledgeable about anything Catholic - as you’ll see as you continue to read her posts.
I thought I should edit the post since I have posts deleted here for being 100% truthful but in violation of forum rules.
IOW, all your fellow Catholics who don't make it to mass daily are lazy, eh?Well, they could be disabled, not lazy, but those who are in good enough shape, and have Masses available to them, but select not to go, have some sloth, or just don't understand Who they are receiving on Sundays. Of course, there's laziness in that too. I don't think too many daily-Mass Catholics leave the faith. I know of one, and then I saw him back in Church some time later.
My understanding, is that metmom was raised Catholic. At least that is my memory of what she has written in the past.
For if God hath not spared the natural branches, fear lest perhaps he also spare not thee. See then the goodness and the severity of God: towards them indeed that are fallen, the severity; but towards thee, the goodness of God, if thou abide in goodness, otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize. So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.
But, well, there seems to be a lot of fur flying around here.
It troubles me. We may have serious disagreements, but the kings of the earth are rising up in revolt and the princes are plotting together. The Lord may indeed have them in derision, but we'd better start learning how to play team ball.
but we’d better start learning how to play team ball.
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You’ve got that right. It troubles me to see so many Christians on here with so much acrimony toward each other. We should be reminded that one of the principle reasons Islam expanded in the 7th and 8th Centuries was precisely because of derision between the Eastern, Western and African churches who would not unify against forces that burned churches and advanced by the sword. In a time when Christians of all stripes are again being persecuted, I think it is time we took the gloves off and showed each other some respect (Catholics and Protestants both). Just remember, none of you know what is in another person’s heart or how strong or weak their faith may be. You are not their judge.
We will have to find some way to make common cause. I know Catholic physicians, some still with school debts, who are afraid they will not be able to practice medicine. We're seeing right now the oppressive situation in which other Xtians find themselves — having to choose between being closely complicit in things they think wrong or going out of business.
And it will affect people who aren't especially religious. A mendicant order, the Little Sisters of the Poor, who run homes for the elderly and chronically ill, also employ some people to help. The last time they were up at my parish to make their appeal one of the sisters said to me that they thought they might have to leave the US “as we left Hungary and China.”
First, I was just ashamed to have my government categorized with China's. But second, it is evident that the people the sisters serve will not fare so well when they leave.
We already know of young people forced by family and others to have abortions. When the government which controls the dollars does not respect the sanctity of life, it's not hard to predict the number of young ladies presented with the choice of insufficient care or abortion.
I keep thinking about what led to the fall of Judah and how the prophets fared. I don't think this will end well unless we unite in prayer and in political action.
I remember when growing up Catholic and wondering why Jesus was called the Savior when I had to do all this work.
I was baptized as a baby and supposedly was at that point a Christian? My parents Faith? What if my parents were C and E Catholics who had no idea baptism meant.
First communion? First the priest has to turn the wafer into Jesus? At age 5, I accepted Jesus by communion. I believe the Mass and the Eucharist is the main form of attaining “grace”, as well as the other sacraments.
So now I have to attend mass EVERY single sunday or have a mortal sin on my soul? My salvation is partly based on weekly attendance?
Confessing to a priest weekly or at least once a year to be forgiven of sin. Confession at least once a year or Mortal sin. I thought having to do penance by praying was somewhat Ironic.
Confirmation was interesting in that the Holy Spirit was being slapped into us by the Bishop.
So essentially, I need a priest to get the “grace” to do the work to attain salvation.
After having read the scripture I kept looking for the Mass, confession, priests, etc.. and could not find them. What I did find was John 3:16, Eph 2:8-9 etc...
I remember thinking why did Jesus suffer so much just to open the gates of heaven? Did he lose the key?
I didn't leave Jesus, I found Jesus! He's NOT in the elements of the Eucharist that have to be received every time one goes to Mass in order to remain in a state of grace, He is always within every believer and will never leave nor forsake us. The Jesus I know is the one who saves me to the uttermost, who gave me eternal life through faith and I rejoice to know the God of my salvation whom I will praise and honor all the days of my life even to eternity.
Nobody leaves Jesus by leaving a church or denomination. Jesus dwells in the heart of every believer by faith.
He isn't found in a church or a wafer and you don't have to eat Him to have Him be in you.
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
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