What is the difference between being a Methodist instead of a Catholic? I am interested in changing religions and would like to the belief and rituals of Methodism.
2006-06-22 16:53:19 · 16 answers · asked by NMSherwin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Metodist church is just more open, anyone is welcome. Anyone of any faith can particapate in all aspects of the worship service. The minister, is a man who had a calling to share God with others & attended the seminary. There is very little ritual, since the church was created for poor & underpriveledged, so it's easier to join in. We've always been referred to as the singing Methodists, because, there is usally alot of hymns in the service. Our church is a rural church & potlucks are big part of fellowship. We are also big in peace with justice & social concerns, as well as missions. I hope this gives you alittle insight into my faith! God be with you . Change as important as this can be difficult.
2006-06-22 18:20:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Methodist don't believe you have to have an intermediary in order to talk to God like Catholics do (i.e. priests). Methodists have sacraments like communion, marriage, baptism - but not so many as Catholics. Methodists believe that women can be ministers just as well as men. So many other religions do not.
Biggest thing - Methodists believe in reaching out and helping others. They have a world wide mission. They work with the United Nations to help improve conditions in many 3rd world countries. They also have a program called the Shalom Zone that reaches out to neighborhoods to improve peaceful relations, food pantries, childcare, school supplies, building improvements, etc.
Methodists also believe in Christian education. They want you to be informed of what is going on in the world, in your community and also in your own spiritual life. They want to meet you where you are at. So many religions say come to us, but you have to meet these certain requirements first (i.e. have a certain type of baptism, not be divorced, not be gay, not be a drug addict or an alcoholic). Methodism is all about accepting you the way you are.
The founder of Methodism - John Wesley - saw poor children that could'nt come to Sunday School and church because they didn't have shoes - he welcomed them into the Methodist church and worked hard to help get them what they needed. Many of the Methodist hymns are based on tunes that were popular tunes heard in bars (in England) which were given new words. This made them accessible to the common folks.
2006-06-23 00:15:09 · answer #2 · answered by Karla R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are presently Catholic then the question I would have to ask is why does Methodist seem interesting to you? Go to a Methodist church, find out what they're about. If there's one thing about religion in America, we can change religions as swiftly as we can an outfit like it's gone out of fashion.
2006-06-22 23:58:47 · answer #3 · answered by kikabeanpie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I am an ex-Catholic and I would not join one of the mainstream protestant denominations like the Methodist. If you are seeking Christ than try a nondenominational Bible Church. If you are seeking a Church that is similar to a Catholic church but is pretty much Bible based then go to the Lutheran, Missouri Synod. You may be comfortable there. I was a Missouri Synod Lutheran for eight years but now I go to a nondenominational Bible Church. No church is perfect and finding a church that is right for you may be difficult. Be patient, read the Scripture and pray about where God can use you.
2006-06-23 00:49:41 · answer #4 · answered by J-Artist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Methodists are protestants. Basically you'd be involved with one of many denominations which followed Martin Luther's teachings in some form or another. Methodists are the lighter side of the liturgy. Usually Anglicans have more liturgy associated with their services. Lutherans also practice the liturgy. Methodists also practice the sacraments, although less in number than the Catholics.
2006-06-23 00:02:51 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the catholic part but the Methodist and Christian are a lot alike, they just don't baptize the same way.
Catholic and Methodist, sprinkle water on there head, where Christians go full down in the water.
Note that Jesus Christ went all the way down into the water *Full Body* baptized
2006-06-23 00:00:24 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am a Methodist.
John Wesley and his brother Charles broke away from the Church of England when they had the idea that the Christian faith should be taught to everyone, rich and poor alike. They started house meetings.
Methodism is a protestant faith, which is of course different from Catholicism in many ways.
I guess that one thing that seems to set us apart from other protestant faiths is that we believe man is born with what we call "prevenient grace".....kind of a God shaped hole in everyone's soul that causes people to yearn to be with him.
You should attend some Methodist Churches in your area to see what you think.
Good Luck. God is good, all the time.
2006-06-23 00:14:13 · answer #7 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I also left catholicism years ago. It is the"great whore" mentioned in Revelations 17 verse 1 and 19 verse 2. But it is also the"mother of harlots" mentioned in Revelations 17 verse 5. So why are you thinking of attending one of the daughter churches?
2006-06-23 00:02:16 · answer #8 · answered by euhmerist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best place to pursue spiritual inquiries might be elsewhere. I would suggest a practicing Methodist or minister.
2006-06-22 23:58:31 · answer #9 · answered by drewK 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics have more rules, saints, and a neat place to visit in Italy.
2006-06-22 23:56:02 · answer #10 · answered by yikes_its_a_humdinger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋