Why do people really leave the catholic church?

Question

I have been thinking about this. I left the catholic church a long time ago, I thought that it was irrelevant and "dead" I thought that I had found "life: in Assemlies of God and later Baptist churches.

I always considered that Catholicism was about "religion" while the othere were more "personal relationship with Jesus"

The truth was that the MASS is not the alternative to a CHURCH SERVICE, I think they are very different in what they are about.

For someone who is spiritual but doesnt like (or mostly understand) ritual the protestant movement is very welcoming, because it is often made to be exactly like a social group. Meet friends, drink coffee, eat doughnuts, sing songs, listen to the funny preacher. So it is welcoming, sincere and often focused on God.

The question is, is that enough. Some Catholic churches have similar groups not all. But central is the Mass. Protestants dont have that and have for some reason decided to completly ignore writings of church leaders.

But were not these church leaders who wrote these historical documents the ones who interpreted the bible in the first place.

I am thinking that the reason people leave the catholic church is more social. I know people talk about "personal relationship with christ" but that is nowhere found in the bible.

I have heard that Luther wanted to reform the church. As in fix some of it, he only saw that some things needed to be altered and that at the core everything was solid.

Answer 1

I'm Catholic, and have been so all my life. But for my friends who left it, they have varying reasons, such as disagreeing on points like birth control, divorce, abortion, and other issues. Most of the people I personally know who left the Catholic Church went to the Episcopal Church, which observes a similar liturgy to Catholicism, but is more theologically liberal. Others became Unitarian, or joined other similarly liberal denominations. However, in a few cases I know of, they wanted something that was along Fundamentalist Protestant lines, and so they went with Pentecostal or Baptist churches. A few left Christianity altogether and became Wiccans, atheists, or other types of non-Christians. Mostly, though, the people I know who left the Church seemed to want something more flexible theologically.

Answer 2

You know your reason for leaving the Church - but don't assume that everyone else leaves for the same reason. Everyone is different so everyone has different reasons.

You said something interesting in your question, something that exposes an error on your part - an error that has caused you to make a huge mistake in leaving the Church.

You said, "For someone who is spiritual but doesnt like (or mostly understand) ritual the protestant movement is very welcoming, because it is often made to be exactly like a social group. Meet friends, drink coffee, eat doughnuts, sing songs, listen to the funny preacher. So it is welcoming, sincere and often focused on God."

You may have attended mass as a Catholic but what value is it when you do not understand it? There is TREMENDOUS spirituality in the mass, moreso than any other singleact, tradition, or ritual of the Church. You were blind to it because you did not understand the mass. If only you understood, you would have found the Catholic mass to be far more welcoming.

What's more, the mass requires the gathering of parishioners. Does this not constitute a social setting? Ask any regular Church-attending Catholic and they will tell you many of their closest friends are fellow parishioners.

Singing songs is part of the mass. Surely you know this.

Coffee and doughnuts are often served after masses to provide a setting for parishioners to, of all things, socialize. Not all Catholic parishes do this. in every case I have ever seen, coffee and doughnuts after mass was done by fellow parishioners. If you ever decide to come back to the Church, and you parish does not do coffee and doughnuts, perhaps you are the person to start it up at your parish.

When it comes to the preachers, some are more prolific than others - this goes for every denomination, not just Catholicism. The preacher may very well be giving his flock a dogmatically accurate lesson. But, if your heart isn't into Church Dogma, you're not going to get anything out of it. That's not the preacher's fault.

There is nothing wrong with a preacher cracking jokes; entertaining as well as educating. More important than the ability to humor is the preachers ability to convey Dogmatic belefe and practice.

The bottom line is that you must increase your understanding of the Catholic Mass. Like most things in life, you get out of the mass what you put into it. If you lack an understanding of the mass, you will unable to put anything into it. That is why you've gotten little from it.

Answer 3

I keep seeing people say the Pope knew what was going on, yet even in the news they show zero evidence. The same goes for the ACCUSED priests. All I see on the news and in papers are just accusations, and ZERO proof. Im not saying that molestation did not happen, but anyone can just accuse someone of wrongdoing. Why is it that almost 99% of these cases happened 30, 40, even 50+ years ago, and nothing was said all this time. Now, with the world economies in trouble, and people needing money, suddenly everyone is coming out of the woodworks. The priests that have been proven to have harmed children should be removed, no questions asked. But they need to do background checks in those claiming to have been abused, as I honestly believe most cases are people who are in need of money. There should be a statute of limitations on the centuries that go by before you can PROVE a case in this manner. That would be like someone trying to sue you over something that might or might not have happened 50+ years ago. Where were they all this time? And why do people automatically assume someone is guilty without evidence?

Answer 4

Good evening, morning or night. I read your question, it seems more like a post as in the News Paper. Any how, I am going to give it a shut for an answer. First all, I ask not to take my reply to think I am criticizing no one, and in this case the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church, as other Churches, including Islam, are no more but business this days, They has become a real big business. But let’s say that, because things have change dramatically. I use to go to a Catholic Church, but stop congregating in it, for the simple reason that I didn’t like to see people after confessing their sins, going out and drink beers, smokes, and even seeing the neighbor’s wife - husband. So I decide to go to a more Christian church like. And yes I find out I was comfortable and happy. Still, every church wherever they might be is just a big business. Now, I am not saying they all are lost (as in sin) because of it, to the contrary. If we read the Bible, and ask God for wisdom to understand it, you’ll for sure find out that on the second coming of Jesus, He’ll not come for a specific church, no.
Jesus the Lord, on His second coming will come for His church yes, but it will be a church from many different congregations. Some might thing; Jesus is coming for the Catholics only, some Christians, or some other churches. Yet there is one religion, who believes they are the true religion, which is the Islam. If you don believe them, they will murder you to prove it. So, let’s get not in to that religion which I call it without any doubt a satanic cult- satanic faction, satanic sect; any way you want to call it.

Ok having that in mind, if people are leaving there long time church, it’s because they just lose faith, perhaps they got disillusioned, or who knows maybe they just find another place to worship. Regardless o whatever there decision might be, it should not affect any one.

Answer 5

It's hard to try and walk in Christ's footsteps. In today's society people in this country are primarily interested in person comfort. Being in any kind of a church setting where you're being pressed to do an ongoing self-assessment pertaining to how you're living your life and your impact on others, is contrary to how most people are raised; let alone how they're negatively influenced by all manners of media. A central theme of Christianity lies in feeling a duty to God and to others on this earth who are less fortunate and these messages are often trumped by easier messages in the media. Buy something, have sex (with whom or what-ever), get it now and pay later......

The church in America is dying because of a left-wing campaign against religion, family and traditional values. The Catholic church has more to lose from their efforts than most other groups because of their size and of course; from their recent troubles with rogue clergy. It's a case of intellectually and morally bankrupt people using the media to kick well-meaning people when they're down to further an agenda of social welfare and central left-wing government control.

Answer 6

I think you’re right on the mark. People leave for “social reasons”. If they say they left because of disagreements on belief, did they take the time to thoroughly examine what the Church teaches and why?

The Mass IS central. It’s everything. You can take all the social get-togethers in the world and chunk them in the dumpster – I’ll take the Mass. Nothing can compare to the encounter of my precious Lord Jesus in the flesh before my very eyes. Why do people think we gather for Mass in the first place? Most of the time the priest is kinda boring, but we aren’t there for him. We are there for Him.

Answer 7

I left the Catholic Church because once I divorced they no longer felt I was worthy to receive their sacraments. What is the use of being a Catholic if I can't participate in the eucharist or receive last rites etc? I also left because I don't believe that a priest has the power to absolve me of my sins. Saying a few prayers assigned by a priest doesn't do it for me. Only God can forgive me.

Answer 8

Because it's a non-Christian cult.

And you don't have to become "protestant" when you leave the Catholic abomination. Just be a Christian.

You think protestants "completely ignore the writings of church leaders" What "church leaders"? The only council that was worth anything was the council in Jerusalem, the rest are all heretical.

Follow Jesus.

The Bible is God's word, just learn it, believe it and obey it.
.

Answer 9

I think they feel that the church is too strict, also its the whole personal relationship with God. As a catholic I've notice lots of Catholic churches are about going to church and that's it. Luckily my church is not like that, they teach you to have a personal relationship with God and that it takes more than going to church and begin good to get to heaven.

Answer 10

Because at least to me the story of Christ is just about as believable (sp) as a the whole scientology thing. I personally cannont put my faith in an institution that descriminates so much. Organized religion is a crock and anyone that says you will go to hell because you don't believe in their beliefs is wrong. I feel the reconciliation thing is completly unnecessary as well.