Should I leave Catholicism?

Question: I am very concerned, as I am a catholic and was wondering if our Lord meant that my church is Babylon and to leave the church, because of all the scandal that it has been going through lately. do you think I have reason to be concerned?

Answer: There have been Protestant interpreters who have identified Babylon with the Catholic Church in the past and probably some who still do, but I find this interpretation very questionable. It is designated as a city, and though it is said to sit on seven hills in some translations (as Rome does), if the word here means mountains instead, and it seems it does, that would not apply to Rome. If mountains is intended, it would be symbolic rather than strictly geographical, mountains representing places of power and authority. Babylon would be in control of seven kingdoms in this interpretation.

I think the best reason to leave the Catholic Church would not be for the scandals of late. Every human organization will have fallen human beings doing bad things that need to be dealt with. That is why Jesus taught a way of dealing with sin in the church in Matthew 18:15-20. The reason you should leave it is if it is in disagreement with the clear teaching of Scripture. Protestants have had problems in this arena with the fact that the Catholic Church, in our opinion, has obscured the gospel and the way of salvation, making it seem too much like it depends on our works to get us to heaven rather than the finished sacrifice of Christ. Martin Luther’s concern was that the Bible teaches justification (being declared righteous before God) by faith alone.

Protestants have also disagreed with vesting authority in one man in the church, and even with the councils of the church, as they can be fallible, and it would seem to have indeed failed to preserve the teaching of Scripture. We see Scripture as our final authority, though we value the tradition of the church as a help to correct interpretation of Scripture.

Do you know that you have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Are you being taught in your faith to grow in grace and becoming more Christlike in your life? Is the church helping or hindering this process? Can you learn from both sides of the aisle? Do you really give allegiance to the Pope? These are the kinds of questions I believe are most important to answer in this consideration.

 

One reader’s response: The only thing, (and I’m not a pastor) is if you have evidence that you have trouble finding good biblical leadership; if most of the members are knowingly following a lie; or that the Catholic church had moved away from biblical doctrine. Catholics seem to believe in using Mary in their prayers either as they would holy water or they actually pray to her, which does not appear in the bible. Also, I believe they make saints of men and how do you know unless God reveals it, as with saints of the bible? Also, pay attention to the symbols that a religious denomination uses and read up on what they actually mean. Illuminati (devil organization) and other evil symbols run rampant. I’d also read what defectors that had also chosen another Christian denomination had to say. I’d have problems with that being Christian–esp. knowing that “Catholicism didn’t break the mold”. Still, if Catholicism did break the mold, I might just go independent.

Another reader’s response: There are so many ways the modern church especially in America has deviated from peaceful and loving transforming of the world. This has gone on since the usurpation of the teachings of Jesus by Paul. Paul transformed the teachings of Jesus into a religion that is known today as discriminate and intolerant and is full of hateful rhetoric for others who do not conform to our very narrow views.
One thing for sure after talking to several self proclaimed religious experts, Pastors and the like, they don’t like reading their bibles at face value and feel the need to interpret what it is saying to fit a modern world and its varied problematic situations. This has caused consternation amongst loyal immovable fundamentalists. Most conservatives in America feel the bible is too liberal and seek to taint it with a dollop of conservatism at their great folly. Jesus words and teachings with the exception of a few scriptures (whose authorship is questionable) are very left of center, just like our very hearts in our chests. This is just not acceptable to most conservatives.
As long as folks try to defend god and the bible from a far right conservative approach they will continue to fail and do harm to our younger generations who may have otherwise joined the church as giving and meaningful members. As of now, church members look a lot like hypocrites.
They always play the victim and never look inward toward their own acts and attitudes as to being the very cause that so many young people do not want anything to do with Christianity.
Just seek love and peace and do the best you can on a daily basis to make the word a better place to live.

My reply: This response of yours makes me think you have read neither Jesus or Paul. Paul’s teachings are in perfect harmony with those of Jesus, and Jesus himself gave Paul his commission to teach in His name. Paul does not teach that we should discriminate against people or be intolerant and hateful. He broke out of the bounds of his own Judaistic perspective of Gentiles to do just the opposite and championed Gentile outreach. Yes, there are pastors who seek to conform the meaning of the Bible to modern situations, but again, there is a right and a wrong way to interpret any communication and one must have a way to defend his or her interpretation of Scripture. There are plenty of us who stand in a long line of interpretation that sees the meaning of Scripture judging our lives and showing us the correct way to live.

Yes, Jesus was challenging the traditions and views of the day, but he wasn’t always left of center, sometimes he was right of center (on divorce, for example). We have to be faithful to the teaching of Jesus, whether it is left or right of our current center, and of course, the center is always changing. We can’t yield to the current center for the sake of a younger generation or any generation without endangering the true message. Jesus didn’t. But he did love people and so even though he challenged the sinfulness of the tax collectors and the prostitutes, they did not feel condemned but loved. To the woman caught in adultery he did say, “Go and sin no more,” but he did so out of love and she knew it. We must do the same.

Another reader’s response: IF Jesus, St Paul, Martin Luther, did not stand up to churches, where would we be. Where are the churh leaders to speak up and rally or do anything to stop the leaders, bishops, so on to stop the damage they are STILL causing by their inaction. It wont be long before protestants are seen just as guilty for doing nothing. GOD DOES NOT ONLY JUDGE WHAT YOU DO you guys are so right what you teach. DO NOT FORGET HE JUDGES WHAT ONE DOES NOT DO
IT will always be your choice, you see, that’s free will, that is also truth–TRUTH =CHOICE
God already knows the truth of you—It appears with all going on in this world, He wants you to know the truth about you. Stand and be heard for our kids and families that don’t have a voice.
Victims of child abuse. Check out bishop Malone on cnn and watch the videos and have a bucket with you.

Another reader’s response: Please do not leave Catholicism. Catholics emphasize, as instructed by St. Paul in Romans 4, that faith is a gift from God and it is through faith that God declares us righteous. We also do good works, but it takes faith in God to enter heaven. This is correct Catholic theology. Protestants I hope will understand their interpretation is not quite correct. We both agree it takes faith in God to be righteous.
In the Catholic Church you can receive the real body and blood of Jesus and offer God this perfect sacrifice in atonement for our sins. Christ intended to feed everyone at the table of the Lord. God wants all people to be saved.
Also, God has given us scripture that tells us his creation of a man and a woman means he intends marriage to be between a man and a woman. God also told us in scripture that when we turn away from God one result is unnatural relations (homosexuality). God also gave us the Ten Commandments and the 5th Commandment says that we are not to kill; therefore, abortion is wrong in the eyes of God. God’s second commandment is that we love one another and forgive one another. We are not the judge. I wish people understood that love of God’s laws is not discrimination.

My reply: I am encouraged by what you are saying you believe as a Catholic. I hope it is true that the Catholic Church is teaching that faith alone is essential to salvation. I know you say that Christ intended everyone to feed at his table, but I am guessing that if I don’t accept that his actual body and blood is present in the elements of the Eucharist I won’t be allowed at the table. Is that correct?

I agree with you that God’s law is an expression of His love for us and is not discriminatory or encouraging us in any way not to love each other, even those who disobey His commands.

Another reader’s response: when christ was crucified it became known as goodfriday, mary would not go to the grave the next day to anoint his body because it was the sabbath but when mary went to the grave he had risin what became easter sunday the 3rd day so between friday and sunday only leaves saturday the true sabbath day some say it dont matter what day you observe as long as you observe a day. god thought it pretty importent its the 4th comandment break one law your guilty of all. some say christ coming changed that comandment. christ said he came not to change the law but to fufil the law. i dont believe the pope or any man can forgive sin or 10,000 hailmarys can not assure your salvation only through the lord jesus christ will you find salvation. the way i took what i read was we are saved through grace

Another reader’s response: Remember on his death bed Martin Luther said ” It is easy to live as a protestant, but it is better to die a Catholic,” his words not mine. I am Catholic and have studied church history, new and old testament, all I can say is that I cannot find in any scripture where you are saved by grace alone, other than in protestant bibles, James: 14 should be read for it says , What good is it my brothers and sisters if you say you have faith but do not have works, can faith save you? if a brother or a sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one says to them , go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what good is that? so faith by itself if it has no works it is dead:: read on yourself and don’t forget to take in the whole paragraph. I would much rather follow Jesus Christ and his teachings than invest time in Martin Luther. Remember those who come in Sheep’s clothing, Just saying, Stay with the Catholic Church it is scripture based

My reply: Ephesians 2:8–10, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)

Another reader’s response:  You teach false catholic beliefs…..We believe that the Word turned to flesh and dwelt amoung us, therefore if worthy you must take part in the Eucharist as instructed to attain the grace of a Heavenly Eternal Life. Please do not be a Pharisee.

My reply: can you show me where we are commanded to take part in the eucharist in order to attain life?

Another reader’s response: Hi always good to have a healthy debate, thankyou for your reply.
Ephesians 2: 1-10 deals with the question of faith versus good works (good works are moral living and Gospel motivated works of service, justice, courage and so on) this issue has divided Christians since the early church and was a major issue at the same time of the protestant reformation. Some say we are saved by our good works. Others say that good works are irrelevant and that we are saved only through our faith in Christ. The writer of Ephesians makes it clear that both these statements are incomplete. The core Christian belief is this: We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We were saved not by doing good works but in order to good works. Our Salvation is God’s gift to us: how we live is our gift to God.
This is my understanding my study and all quotes I use are from the NRSV Catholic Edition.