Why I Became Catholic

My Testimony

For many years, I was deeply rooted in Protestantism and openly held strong, often anti-Catholic views. Now that I’ve converted to Catholicism, I feel responsible for sharing my testimony. This decision was slow and deeply considered, though, as you can imagine, controversial. To some, it may seem rebellious; to others, troubling or confusing.

Ultimately, my life’s goal is to defend my God, my faith, and my Church. As a philosophy and pre-law student, my education has brought me closer to God but also further away from certain modern church practices—practices I now view don't align with Christ's intentions for The Church.

I hope this letter to my Protestant brothers and sisters clarifies my decision-making process. More importantly, I hope it challenges you to examine your faith with curiosity and openness, understanding that other Christian traditions may differ but are often rooted in deeper history, logic, and truths than they are given credit for.

American Christianity

Over the last year, as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes, I came to see how deeply “Americanized” Christianity has become. I’m not just talking about flashy megachurches that blur the line between worship and entertainment—though those deserve critique as well. I mean the ingrained spirit of American independence, rooted in the belief that no king or authority can dictate our lives. This mindset, ingrained in our nation’s founding, has shaped both our politics and faith.

Americans have long resisted authority when it becomes inconvenient, and this attitude is deeply embedded in Protestantism. This is why the U.S. has more denominations and independent churches than any other country. The American Protestant mindset often follows this principle: If I disagree with my church, I can simply find another—or start my own. Just as the American States once fostered deep tribalism (leading to the Civil War), Protestantism has done the same in religion. Ironically, within these independent groups, conformity is expected. In the churches where I grew up, strict expectations governed both belief and behavior. Questioning them wasn’t seen as thoughtful inquiry—but as rebelliousness.

This culture of rigid expectations often disguises itself as a commitment to biblical morality. As a devout Christian, I shouldn’t have to clarify that I believe in following Christ’s teachings—but there’s a difference between true discipleship and reinforcing cultural traditions. Because of Protestant tribalism, many American churches conflate “biblical values” with social and political norms. As a result, congregations often consist of like-minded individuals of similar wealth, race, and status—whether in Southern Baptist, Evangelical Free, or Non-Denominational circles (to name a few).

On the other hand, Protestants often criticize Catholicism for its structured doctrine and moral teachings, but this is a misunderstanding. While Catholicism remains steadfast in its theological convictions, it is far more universal and open to those who seek Christ. I challenge my Protestant brothers and sisters to attend a Catholic Mass and witness the diversity in the pews—diversity in race, wealth, and social standing. THAT is the difference. Catholicism, rather than being tribalistic, spans the globe. It is not confined to a single cultural identity or political ideology. More importantly, it does not fragment whenever disagreements arise.

Analyzing Sola Scriptura

This tendency toward fragmentation is especially evident in how Protestant churches interpret Scripture. If all these churches claim to follow Sola Scriptura, why do they hold such vastly different views on Christian living? The reality is that each Protestant tradition shapes its own biblical interpretation, whether consciously or not. Despite claiming to uphold Scripture as the ultimate authority, these differing traditions lead to significant doctrinal divides.

Growing up in various Protestant churches, these contradictions became painfully clear. Baptists reject infant baptism, while Presbyterians view Baptist free-will theology as borderline heretical. Non-denominational churches claim flexibility, yet they often disregard church history entirely. Meanwhile, outside of American Evangelicalism, some churches embrace transgenderism and same-sex marriage—further illustrating the wide spectrum of interpretations.

The diversity of doctrine within Protestantism raises an unavoidable question: If Sola Scriptura truly functioned as its proponents claim, why is there such stark disagreement on fundamental issues? Every church upholds its own doctrinal positions—its own truth claims. To belong to a church is to accept certain claims as true while rejecting others.

And yet, despite each church adhering to its own set of beliefs, Protestants often criticize Catholicism for doing the same. They point to doctrines on the papacy, Mary, or purgatory and dismiss them as unbiblical or even idolatrous—while overlooking how their own traditions shape their interpretations of Scripture.

This is precisely why questioning one’s church isn’t an act of rebellion—it’s an act of honesty. Catholics and Protestants alike should critically examine their theological foundations. The sheer number of denominations, each claiming to uphold biblical truth, forces a difficult conclusion: Either one is right, or none are. There is no escaping the choice between relativism and absolutism.

You may agree or disagree with the truth claims I’ve come to hold. But that disagreement doesn’t make me less Christian—it simply means I’ve sought the truth beyond the limits of one church’s tradition.

The Role of Church History

This is why, after immense study, I’ve come to disagree with Sola Scriptura. The idea that the Bible alone is the sole rule of faith has a certain appeal—on the surface, it promises clarity and independence. But when you examine it closely, it falls apart. If Sola Scriptura was sufficient, why do so many denominations, all claiming to rely solely on Scripture, reach drastically different conclusions?

Many Protestants claim that these differences among their denominations are minor. But a doctrine like Baptism has eternal consequences. Some believe it is a symbolic act, while others hold that it is how God first washes away sin. This isn’t a small disagreement—it determines whether or not parents baptizing their children secures salvation. If Sola Scriptura were truly sufficient, these life-altering questions would have clear answers. But they don’t—because different traditions interpret the same verses in conflicting ways.

This is what led me to dive into early church history. The obvious answer to these questions lies in what the earliest Christians believed. After all, they were taught directly by the Apostles. What I found obliterated many of the truth claims I held as an Evangelical.

For the first 350 years after Christ’s resurrection, Christians didn’t have a compiled New Testament. While the various books of the New Testament existed, they weren’t universally recognized as a single collection. As a result, the early Church couldn’t rely on Sola Scriptura. Instead, they relied on the teachings of the Apostles, preserved through both oral tradition and written letters. Paul emphasizes this dual approach in 2 Thessalonians 2:15: “Hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.” These early Christians valued the Scriptures but also upheld other apostolic teachings that didn’t make it into today’s Bible. While not equal to the Bible, these teachings demonstrate that the Apostles transmitted the faith as a whole—through Scripture, tradition, and the Church’s authority.

Continually, history shows us that the church structure described in the New Testament books looked like a hierarchical pyramid. Each church had a bishop, and to disagree with the Bishop on church teaching, was to disagree with true Christianity. To my surprise, this structure, described by early Christians like Ignatius of Antioch, is still reflected in the Catholic Church today.

It was this church, a physical organization—that gave us the Nicene Creed, The Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity, and much more—that I believe is reflected in the Catholic church today. A church that defends the truth claims of the Bible, because it has the authority to do so. This authority is described in John 20:22, “And when he had said this, he breathed on the disciples and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.'"

Misconceptions About Catholicism

As I’ve shared my journey into the Catholic Church, I’ve realized that many Protestants, including my former self, misunderstand Catholic teachings. These misconceptions often stem from a surface-level understanding or misrepresentation of what Catholics actually believe.

A major misconception is the idea that Catholics don’t see Protestants as 'saved'—that Catholicism, with its ornate traditions, views non-Catholics as less than. In reality, the Church recognizes that God is at work in Protestant communities and that faithful Protestants have received the Holy Spirit. While Catholicism teaches that the fullness of Christian truth subsists in the Catholic Church, it does not deny the sincerity of Protestant faith. My experience with Catholic priests, theologians, and peers has shown that they often view Protestants far more favorably than Protestants view Catholics—not as outsiders to be condemned, but as fellow Christians whom they hope to see united in truth.

Continually, I frequently hear the claim that Catholics “worship” Mary and the saints. In reality, Catholics honor Mary and the saints as members of the “great cloud of witnesses” Hebrews 12:1, who help raise our prayers to God. Asking a saint to pray for you is not so different than asking a close friend to pray on your behalf. The saints have been perfected from their sin, and are literally before God in Heaven. (Revelation 5:8). Catholics do not believe that death separates us spiritually from our Heavenly family. Therefore, just because they have died, does not mean they cannot hear us.

Another common critique is the Catholic emphasis on works in salvation, which is often misunderstood as “earning” salvation. However, the Catholic Church teaches that salvation is a gift of grace through faith—a faith that is alive and active, as James 2:17 reminds us: “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” Good works are not about earning salvation but living out God’s grace through love and service.

One of the most challenging doctrines for Protestants to understand is the Eucharist. Catholics take Christ’s words at the Last Supper literally: “This is my body… This is my blood” Matthew 26:26–28. This belief, known as the Real Presence, is rooted in Scripture and affirmed by the earliest Christians. In John 6, Jesus says, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink,” and when many disciples found this teaching too difficult and abandoned Christ, He didn’t call them back to explain it was symbolic.

These examples highlight how much of what is misunderstood about Catholicism comes down to differing definitions, traditions, and interpretations. By studying the Church’s teachings in their proper context, I’ve come to see how deeply rooted they are in both Scripture and the practices of the early Church.

An Invitation to Seek Truth

Despite being the largest unified Christian denomination in the world, the Catholic Church is often misunderstood and met with skepticism by many Evangelical Protestants. I’ve seen former Catholics elevated as spokespeople to critique the Church or online pastors create videos attacking “teachings” that the Church doesn’t even hold. This cycle of misinformation has caused so much unnecessary division. If you want to know what Catholics believe, ask an educated and faithful Catholic. The same applies to Protestantism—everyone should go to someone who truly understands their denomination’s teachings. Honest conversations can bridge these gaps.

What drew me to Catholicism was its unity, even amid differences. For centuries, Catholics have submitted to leaders while remaining united in foundational truths. We don’t blindly follow the Pope, as many assume; rather, the Pope and bishops shepherd the Church. As fellow sinners, they can and will make mistakes—but it's not the end of the Church. The church is not a body for Staunch Republicans or Radical Liberals, it is a body of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles across the world. That unity, rooted in shared belief, contrasts sharply with the division I witnessed in Protestantism, where disagreements often lead to splintering.

My journey wasn’t about rejecting the faith I grew up with, but seeking the fullness of Christianity’s history and teachings. It meant asking difficult questions, reevaluating assumptions, and embracing the richness of what I discovered.

To my Protestant brothers and sisters: I encourage you to do the same. Don’t be afraid to step outside your denominational bubble. True faith isn’t threatened by scrutiny—it’s strengthened by it. Study history, approach Scripture with fresh eyes, and ask the hard “Why?” questions. You may find, as I did, that the answers challenge you in ways you never expected but also deepen your understanding of Christ and His Church.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has brought me closer to God and given me a renewed sense of purpose in my faith. I hope that my testimony inspires you to seek truth with humility and courage.