Have You Ever Attended...

[Novelist]

As a Baptist, have you ever attended a Catholic church service? If so, what was your take on it?
Joe

 

[Mike B]

Was raised Catholic, and attended 11 years of Catholic schools, including an all-male
Catholic high school.

While I did receive a good education that has carried me though life, as far as the
Catholic Mass and church go.....the best term I could use is "Made Up". I don't see the
Catholic church as being about salvation; they are more concerned with maintaining
power and control over the membership. All their pageantry, pomp and circumstance
doesn't amount to diddly, in my book, as it's all for appearance sake.

In my Freshman year (9th grade) I asked the religious studies teacher (Fr. Motzko) why we didn't
use a Bible as part of class. He said learning from the traditions and early church fathers was more
important. Told him I wanted to get a Bible, and asked what version he would suggest. His answer
surprised me, as he said "Anything but the King James Version".

The service (aka: Mass) is repetitive...aside from the pastors homily, it's a "cookie cutter" kind
of service, with plenty of repetitious prayers. Seen one, you've pretty much seen 'em all. Haven't
been to a Catholic mass since 1977, but my older brother recently attended one and he said it
hasn't changed a bit...same old re-run.

 

[Deacon]

My SIL came from a Catholic background; I attended his old church twice, many, many years ago with his father.
Unexciting, uninspiring, typical to western PA poverty.
Filled with old women and grey retirees.

Rob

 

[Van]

As a Baptist, have you ever attended a Catholic church service? If so, what was your take on it?
Joe

Yes, my wife's mother was a practicing Catholic, and so I recall attending more than one service. I was not a fan of all the ritual, but was impressed with the level of commitment exhibited by many of those attending. I believe the Catholic church is riddled with false doctrine, but also believe God has accepted the faith, commitment and love of many a Catholic and saved them. We all probably hold errant views, hopefully not as many as the Catholics, but we were equally dependent on God's grace, rather than on the accuracy of our faith for His salvation.

 

[Walter]

Yes, my wife's mother was a practicing Catholic, and so I recall attending more than one service. I was not a fan of all the ritual, but was impressed with the level of commitment exhibited by many of those attending. I believe the Catholic church is riddled with false doctrine, but also believe God has accepted the faith, commitment and love of many a Catholic and saved them. We all probably hold errant views, hopefully not as many as the Catholics, but we were equally dependent on God's grace, rather than on the accuracy of our faith for His salvation.

Thank you for your kind words. I converted from being Baptist to the Catholic Faith. I attend mass daily. I also pray the Daily Office which is contemplative prayer and reading of scripture that we are encouraged to read, mark and inwardly digest in order to better follow and serve Jesus.

I understand that there are many cultural Catholics that are biblically illiterate. Some is lack of desire on their part and some are due to failure on the part of those teaching the faith as a previous poster pointed out.

The first half of any mass is The Liturgy of the word of God. Much of the readings of scripture uses ancient chant. Chants slow the readings down and provides me a better opportunity to inwardly digest the portions of Holy Scriptures appointed.

As far as the 'same old, same old' their are many congregational responses that remain the same but the Liturgy of the word changes every day. Our wonderful priest has a short homily (sermon) providing his take one day's appointed Scriptures.

I am sorry to hear that Catholic Church one poster mentions seems to be aging out. Most parishes here in the West are full with standing room only at each of four masses on Sunday. However, most of the Baptist churches in my area are just barely hanging on. Some have several services but that is to accommodate a handful of traditionalist at an early service followed by contemporary service with a small 'praise band' which is also leaving mostly empty pews. The music tends to be Very repetitive, but it it is from the heart I will never judge it as 'vain (useless) repetitive attempts to provide praise to our Lord.

 

[Walter]

I also want to say is what matters is whether a person has the right relationship with Jesus. I grew up ina 'Hyles like' Baotist church that the pastor used a few verses of scripture in his sermon each Sunday followed by an Altar Call where you prayed 'this little prayer' and bingo. You were saved. No talk of repenting. Just 'Easy Believism'. I know not all Baptist churches are the same, just as not all Catholic Churches are providing the best liturgy and they are capable of much better.

The Catholic Church here has grown very fast since we arrived here. The Catholic Church in the city I just moved from (Visalia ca) just finished building the largest Catholic Church in the USA, because the other two Catholic Churches in town had overflow crowds at each mass. The new church fills the pew each Sunday and has many bible study opportunities each week.

All I can say is that I believe I believe
I am much closer to Jesus since my journey brought me to the Catholic Church.

As I have stated, there's many cultural Catholics that couldn't tell you who wrote the four gospels. Hopefully, they will find encounter with the risen Christ at some point and realize how much they need to follow in His footstep and carry the message to others.

 

[Novelist]

I have gone with a friend to several Catholic church services. For me, they were brutal to sit through. I was the only one in the whole church who brought a Bible. I found that very strange. I would read along with the scripture that was being read. All the bowing toward the altar and flexing (or whatever they call it) and the priest kissing the table was a little hard for this old Baptist boy to take. A lot of what they were doing looked like idolatry to me. I just sit there and be quiet. I don't take part in any of the proceedings, except to stand occasionally when everyone else stands. If you don't take the Bible as the sole word of God, I guess you can do anything you want. No plan of salvation. No altar call. No call to repent. Claiming tradition is just as important or more important than the Bible to me is ridiculous. One may have a tradition of robbing a bank on the last day of every month, but that doesn't mean it is right. I don't understand calling the priest Father when Jesus to call no man father in Matthew 23:9. I don't get confession either. Why confess to a man when you can confess directly to God? And saying Hail Mary and reciting the Lord's Prayer over and over is works and not faith and it is also vain repetitions. I could go on and on but I will stop there. I don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just telling my take on it.
Joe