Apathetic Catholic Or Faithful Protestant?

[MissyP89]

My apologies if this has been beaten to death; I haven't seen it since I've joined, and that was a year and a half ago.

I've often wanted to gauge the pham's opinion on this issue, which is probably a pretty hairy one.

Would it be more beneficial for a person to be Catholic and apathetic, or anti-Catholic/Protestant? I think of many of my Catholic friends when I say this, who resent the Church for various reasons, yet desire to follow Christ.

Would it be better for them to leave the Church, or still call themselves a Catholic but disregard all the Church teaches? Should a faithful Catholic be permissive to someone leaving the Church if it means that person will develop a stronger bond with the Lord, or should we try to convince them otherwise?

Discuss. My opinions will follow after things get going.

Edited September 19, 2008 by MissyP89

[Guest]

edited
i erased what i wrote after reading the post below and realising how dumb i sounded
thanks post below

Edited September 19, 2008 by Guest

[philothea]

Er, I meant to vote, "A faithful Protestant Christian against Catholic views" but I apparently clicked null vote.

Anyway, I think it's always better for someone to be trying their hardest to find the truth. "Lukewarm" gets some pretty serious condemnation in scripture.

I've known people raised apathetically Catholic, who as young adults found some passionate protestants, joined them, and for the first time discovered actual Christianity.

And then realized that their Protestant church wasn't quite right, and came back to Catholicism, at last appreciating it.

[Guest]

[quote name='philothea' post='1659305' date='Sep 19 2008, 03:08 PM']Er, I meant to vote, "A faithful Protestant Christian against Catholic views" but I apparently clicked null vote.

Anyway, I think it's always better for someone to be trying their hardest to find the truth. "Lukewarm" gets some pretty serious condemnation in scripture.

I've known people raised apathetically Catholic, who as young adults found some passionate protestants, joined them, and for the first time discovered actual Christianity.

And then realized that their Protestant church wasn't quite right, and came back to Catholicism, at last appreciating it.[/quote]

good point, this is pretty much what i went through, and now im back to the church and do appreciate it more....

[CatherineM]

To those given greater gifts, also comes greater responsibility. Once you know the truth, and turn your back to it, you choose to walk in the dark.

[mortify]

Is it better for a rad-trad to accept Vatican II out of obedience to Rome, or should she be true to her feelings and reject it? Which is the lesser evil?

Edited September 19, 2008 by mortify

[Resurrexi]

I don't think it would be evil at all for her to accept Vatican II out of obedience to Rome, rather, it would be a good thing.

[mortify]

Right, better to be obedient against your disordered feelings than be "true" to them.

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='StThomasMore' post='1659397' date='Sep 19 2008, 04:23 PM']I don't think it would be evil at all for her to accept Vatican II out of obedience to Rome, rather, it would be a good thing.[/quote]

[MissyP89]

For the curious, I voted for the Protestant. I think there is a greater chance for salvation for those outside the Truth than for those within it who, like CatherineM said, are held to a higher standard. To know the Truth as a Catholic does and reject it is grave indeed.

[Resurrexi]

However, if the Catholic was dying it's likely he would call a priest and receive the Sacraments, in which case (if he received them worthily and then died before committing any other mortal sin) he would be saved.

Edited September 19, 2008 by StThomasMore

[philothea]

I did think to put a disclaimer that for someone dying, being an apathetic Catholic might be better, but I'm pretty sure that's not the spirit of the question.

[Nihil Obstat]

I refuse to speculate. I don't feel that we're at all qualified to even begin to understand how God sees the situation.

[goldenchild17]

We don't need to have qualifications if the Church has spoken on the matter. Not saying anything either way to answer the question, but I don't know why people here are so caught up on relying on ourselves when there is no need to do so.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='goldenchild17' post='1659520' date='Sep 19 2008, 06:44 PM']We don't need to have qualifications if the Church has spoken on the matter. Not saying anything either way to answer the question, but I don't know why people here are so caught up on relying on ourselves when there is no need to do so.[/quote]
Oh please. I'm not talking university credentials or something. Qualified by God.

[CatherineM]

Are you sure this isn't above your pay grade?

[eagle_eye222001]

I don't know. I would think maybe that.....uhhh....never mind. I am not going to speculate on this until I get God's grading formula. I wonder what it looks like?


Where hell < purgatory < heaven

h < p < H

Yourlife = [((W)(F)-(SK)) + ((G^2)*R)] / sec(2*((8*17*PI)/136))


where

W = good works
F = faith
S = sins unforgiven
R = Roman Catholic
K = constant = 2.99 x 10^8 m/s
G = God's grace
pi = about 3.1415926535

Edited September 20, 2008 by eagle_eye222001

[Tinkerlina]

I'd have to say faithful Protestant, as long as one is truly acting on his/her conscience. Although I of course believe the Catholic Church is Christ's true Church, I don't think God cares about your nominal religion if you're not practicing it. -Katie

[princessgianna]

[quote name='eagle_eye222001' post='1660233' date='Sep 20 2008, 07:14 PM']I don't know. I would think maybe that.....uhhh....never mind. I am not going to speculate on this until I get God's grading formula. I wonder what it looks like?


Where hell < purgatory < heaven

h < p < H

Yourlife = [((W)(F)-(SK)) + ((G^2)*R)] / sec(2*((8*17*PI)/136))


where

W = good works
F = faith
S = sins unforgiven
R = Roman Catholic
K = constant = 2.99 x 10^8 m/s
G = God's grace
pi = about 3.1415926535[/quote]

[rizz_loves_jesus]

[quote name='StThomasMore' post='1659417' date='Sep 19 2008, 05:54 PM']However, if the Catholic was dying it's likely he would call a priest and receive the Sacraments, in which case (if he received them worthily and then died before committing any other mortal sin) he would be saved.[/quote]

If they're truly apathetic, though, chances are they're going to call their family and friends rather than a priest.