Spiderman
Veteran Member
So, a very nice person from a Christ-centered recovery group invited me to his service. I can't say I got nothing out of it, but I saw a lot of hands raised in the air, people rocking back and forth, people constantly shouting Amen! Hallelujah, Glory, Amen! Halleluiah, Glory! And making other noises. They also prayed in tongues.
Having suffered mental illness and seen it in institutions, I couldn't help but see signs of neurosis.
It just seemed also like people were in a highly emotional state of spiritual infancy. What I mean is, I've met lots of monks and nuns who were very disciplined and there was a strength, a maturity, a willingness to suffer, that I'm just not seeing in some of these other groups.
I'm not saying most Catholics are impressive spiritually mature people, but some of the monks, nuns, and people that have devoted themselves to prayer, fasting, asceticism, charity for the poorest of the poor, and carrying the cross, just have a maturity about them and deeper relationship with God that doesn't require a bunch of loud music, hands in the air, dancing, and talking in tongues.
No one at this Pentecostal service really seemed like they had much depth to their spirituality. They really love God, love the Bible, trust in God , and most are probably better people than myself, but they seem to avoid the issue of suffering. They seem to think suffering is from the "enemy".
Catholic Churches have a structured liturgy, an alter, a sacrament, and traditions that go way back. Some of the traditions are seen in the writings of Christians almost 2,000 years ago. I didn't see any tradition or structure to the Protestant service I just went to. It was all over the place!
Catholics seem to be a bit more gloomy, but they seem to be more in touch with the obvious fact that God wants us to suffer, and our suffering and sacrifices are meritorious offerings to God. Catholics typically have designated times to sit, stand, kneel, speak, sing, or remain silent, or go receive communion. For whatever reason, when I attend a Protestant service, it just seems like something is really missing and it's too emotional.
I guess it seems like something is missing from a Catholic service too, but I get more out of holy communion at a Catholic mass than what I get from a Protestant service thus far.
For those who wish to be Protestant, I respect your decision. Follow your heart, conscience, and what you feel the Holy Spirit is telling you.
The people and pastor at this service were full of kind smiles and very nice; But when you start talking to them, you find out they believe that those who die Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, agnostic, or atheist, all go to a place of eternal torment.
That is what drives me nuts about so many "Bible Christians". I have never met a Catholic Priest who said they have no chance of salvation. I'm always quick to ask people where they stand on that issue. I met one group of Catholics that teach that (who follow the Scriptures and the writings of Saint Louis DeMontfort). And even the superior of that community says, "Let God do the judging".
Other than that, I have known many priests, nuns, monks, and other devout Catholics, and never heard them jump to the conclusion that everyone is damned who die without accepting Jesus as Lord. The Catholic Church on average leaves a big gray area for what takes place after death and how a person is judged (especially when they didn't know they were wrong, therefore, not so much at fault or guilty anyway.)
I'm well aware that the Catholic Church teaches some rather stupid stuff as well imo. I just prefer it over Protestantism for many reasons that I can explain, and some other reasons that I can't quite put my finger on.
What are your thoughts? I find God more in nature and silence than loud emotional services like the one today.
Having suffered mental illness and seen it in institutions, I couldn't help but see signs of neurosis.
It just seemed also like people were in a highly emotional state of spiritual infancy. What I mean is, I've met lots of monks and nuns who were very disciplined and there was a strength, a maturity, a willingness to suffer, that I'm just not seeing in some of these other groups.
I'm not saying most Catholics are impressive spiritually mature people, but some of the monks, nuns, and people that have devoted themselves to prayer, fasting, asceticism, charity for the poorest of the poor, and carrying the cross, just have a maturity about them and deeper relationship with God that doesn't require a bunch of loud music, hands in the air, dancing, and talking in tongues.
No one at this Pentecostal service really seemed like they had much depth to their spirituality. They really love God, love the Bible, trust in God , and most are probably better people than myself, but they seem to avoid the issue of suffering. They seem to think suffering is from the "enemy".
Catholic Churches have a structured liturgy, an alter, a sacrament, and traditions that go way back. Some of the traditions are seen in the writings of Christians almost 2,000 years ago. I didn't see any tradition or structure to the Protestant service I just went to. It was all over the place!
Catholics seem to be a bit more gloomy, but they seem to be more in touch with the obvious fact that God wants us to suffer, and our suffering and sacrifices are meritorious offerings to God. Catholics typically have designated times to sit, stand, kneel, speak, sing, or remain silent, or go receive communion. For whatever reason, when I attend a Protestant service, it just seems like something is really missing and it's too emotional.
I guess it seems like something is missing from a Catholic service too, but I get more out of holy communion at a Catholic mass than what I get from a Protestant service thus far.
For those who wish to be Protestant, I respect your decision. Follow your heart, conscience, and what you feel the Holy Spirit is telling you.
The people and pastor at this service were full of kind smiles and very nice; But when you start talking to them, you find out they believe that those who die Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, agnostic, or atheist, all go to a place of eternal torment.
That is what drives me nuts about so many "Bible Christians". I have never met a Catholic Priest who said they have no chance of salvation. I'm always quick to ask people where they stand on that issue. I met one group of Catholics that teach that (who follow the Scriptures and the writings of Saint Louis DeMontfort). And even the superior of that community says, "Let God do the judging".
Other than that, I have known many priests, nuns, monks, and other devout Catholics, and never heard them jump to the conclusion that everyone is damned who die without accepting Jesus as Lord. The Catholic Church on average leaves a big gray area for what takes place after death and how a person is judged (especially when they didn't know they were wrong, therefore, not so much at fault or guilty anyway.)
I'm well aware that the Catholic Church teaches some rather stupid stuff as well imo. I just prefer it over Protestantism for many reasons that I can explain, and some other reasons that I can't quite put my finger on.
What are your thoughts? I find God more in nature and silence than loud emotional services like the one today.
