should i convert from being catholic to luthern.....?

Question

i am starting to question some of the teaching of the catholic church.. i want to hear some arguments and good points on why i should or shouldnt convert, i would like to hear from catholics and non catholics.. i am just very confused right now and need some guidence.

Answer 1

I'm Catholic.

I think it's great that you are questioning Catholic teaching...as long as you are learning the facts. Unfortunately, a lot of people question the teachings and then never bother trying to find out what the answers are. There is a reason -- and Biblical support -- for every Catholic teaching.

There are many books that can help you discover the answers. "What Catholics Really Believe" and "Catholicism for Dummies" are two popular books. I would also add "The Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church," which takes the Catechism and boils it down to a question-and-answer format. It was written by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (before he was elected Pope) and the U.S. version was translated by a Midwestern bishop. You can find that on-line at the following URL:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Profession%20of%20Faith

If you are interested in Lutheranism, then you should look into that with the same diligence. Read up on the history of Martin Luther and why he chose to start the Lutheran church instead of reforming the Catholic Church as he originally intended. (You should also know that after the Protestants left, the Catholic Church did get reformed, thanks to St. Charles Borromeo and others). Study a Lutheran catechism as well.

The more truth you know, the less confused you will be.

Answer 2

The Lutheran Church is the largest Protestant faith group in the world.

In organization, the Romans and Lutherans are just the opposite. In Rome, authority comes down from the Christ's vicar on earth. For Lutherans, authority is derived from votes by the people.

In worship, Lutherans appear very much alike. Both churches are "high church" (a large amount of liturgy). When M. Luther called for a reformation, he also said, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater."

As to the sacraments, Lutherans have two - Communion and Baptism. The rule is that 1) The sacrament be commanded by Christ and 2) that the means of grace is conveyed by an earthly element and 3) available to all people. (ex. Since ordination is not available to women, this is not considered a sacrament)

In Lutheran theology, there is no purgatory. What caused Luther to protest Roman practices to begin with was the sale of indulgences which released souls from purgatory.

Lutherans have a high degree of involvement in social ministry. The largest percentage of nursing homes in America are sponsored by Lutherans. Lutheran World Relief ranks among the top organizations in the world. LWR is still working with Katrina and as far as I know, 911 victims.

On the point of hot button issues. Because Lutherans believe that God speaks to each of us directly, and there is no need to go through an intermediary, you will find a great deal of diversity among us. That applies to capital punishment, abortion, homosexuality and creationism.

The three largest segments of the Lutheran church in the United States from the largest and most liberal to the most conservative are the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, LC-MS (Missouri Synod) and WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod).
Their web sites are:
http://elca.org
http://www.lcms.org
http://www.wels.net

Oh yes, and to be a Lutheran you should like coffee,covered dish dinners, and The Prarie Home Companion with Garrison Kellor on PBS...or so the legend goes.

Answer 3

Sure if you do not want to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and also it may do no good because even now the Lutheran Church is in the process of putting together a petition for the Vatican---like the Traditional Anglican Church it wants to come back to the Catholic Church. The Lutheran Church that does not want woman priests or bishops or gay marriage is starting to see that the Catholic Church that sticks to its guns on matters of Theology is the True Church and it is NOT swayed by the politically correct left who has more concern over human wants then for God's wants..

Answer 4

You must follow your heart. If you feel as if you are being controlled, then by all means, find a path which makes you feel that your worship of God is of your own free will.

I went from involuntary Catholic to agnostic to pantheist, and now I am Catholic again. It is a path I understand after studying the history of not only Christianity, but also Hinduism, Islam, Toaism, Buddhism, and some other contemporary religions as well.

As Mother Theresa once said "It doesn't matter what your faith is. What matters is that you devote yourself to God and remain true to the beliefs in your heart."

The choice is yours. You are free to leave the Church and follow the way which makes you feel most comfortable.

Good luck and God bless

Answer 5

Explain to your family that you would like to try the Catholic faith out. What would be Wrong is for your family to deny you the right to chose where you want to be! EXAMPLE: Some of my Ma's family is Lutheran, but they have no problem with someone like me who converted. The Protestant denominations are beautiful too like the Lutherans, but in my case the Catholic denomination felt more closer to Christ than the Lutherans did. Follow your heart, that is follow what you think God has planned for you! You'll do just fine. And if you chose Catholic, the church would more than welcome you! But if you chose Lutheran, then you did just as Well too! Best wishes to you.

Answer 6

Former Catholic here. I don't know your situation, but may I suggest looking at assemblies beyond the liturgical ones? I know it is kinda scary, but check out Bible believing assemblies in your area. You won't have to commit to anything. Ask yourself when visiting, are they teaching the Bible? Do they teach the Bible as truth and the sole authority on spiritual matters? Do they emphasize works for salvation or do they believe in salvation by grace? Do they emphasize entertainment over solid teaching? I sense you want to leave catholicism, and I applaud that. Don't be afraid to walk, God is probably leading you out of there. Go where He leads you. Check out several assemblies, you will know when you have found the right one, a place where you can call "home".

Answer 7

STICK WITH YOUR OWN RELIGION. LUTHERANS ARE STILL VERY MUCH ANTI-SEMITIC AS WAS MARTIN LUTHER.

Catholic Charities USAThe largest private network of social service organizations in the United States works to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities.

http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?srcid=-2

Catholic Relief Services http://crs.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Relief_Services

DOES THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE SOCIAL COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE JUST AS DIVERSE AS LUTHERANS BUT NOT AS FULL OF B.S

AS FAR AS LUTHERANS BEING INVOLVED IN NURSING HOMES, IS THAT WHY ABUSE IN NURSING HOMES IS RAMPANT?
And with Lutherans you have to decide which branch cause they don't agree with each other and have different beliefs. The more conservative branches don't consider the liberal one (ELCA) even Lutheran.


*Remember, Lutherans who try to sway you will lie.*

Answer 8

Don't stop there, but go all the way to a more Biblical evangelical church. The Lutherans held on to many of Rome's unBiblical practices, http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/papalpresumption.html., including her ultimate error, that of fostering dependence upon one's own merits, for salvation, rather than bringing souls to come before God as sinners, destitute of any merit whereby they may escape Hell and gain Heaven, and thus cast all their faith upon Christ and His blood for justification and regeneration (Rm. 3:9 - 5:8; Eph. 1:13; Titus 3:5). And having turned from sin to Him, be baptized under water (Acts 8:37) and walk in newness of life (Rm. 6). And so glorify God alone!!*

i would recommend you find a Bible preaching Baptist/Calvary Chapel type church, or solid Pentecostal . See here for a revealing comparison as regards Roman type churches versus evangelical. http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html

Answer 9

I invite you to visit my website... I am not a fan of the Lutheans... but from what I have read I believe you will find The Truth of The Salvation Message in their teaching...I know that as a catholic you have never heard it... they have some other stuff I do not agree with... much to close to the catholic for my taste... but my simple site may give you some information and bring a question to mind concerning the God stuff... you may contact me from the site if you have any questions concerning the basics of The True Christian Faith.

YA is NOT the place to seek to know The Truth of The True Christian Faith... but you will find True Christians within the Lutheran group... and in many other "denominations"... Welcome seeker... any congregation which can agree with the statements you will find on the Statements page of my site will welcome you and assist you in your seeking to come to God as He prescribes.
http://www.mikesfaith.com

Answer 10

Do you believe that you are saved by faith alone? Or, do you believe that you must outwardly manifest your faith to atone for your original sin? In other words, must you perform works or sacraments and have faith in Christ to be saved? Answer these questions before considering conversion.