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This is perhaps one of the most interesting and perplexing phenomena in recent western culture. Many Christian observers and scholars have been acutely aware of the decay of Christendom over last century or so, particularly in retrospect.

The Roman Church, despite Vatican II, and resultant changes, is still very Medieval in its relgious ways. And since it did not respond to the biblical insights and justifiable critiques of the Reformation, it has remained little changed in its basic theological configuration since Council of Trent.

Since the RCC did not embrace the Gospel, as it was restored in both the Lutheran and Reformed churches, it remains today a bastion of religionism, superstition, corruption (predator priests - I know, Evangelicals are guilty here too) and error. It therefore lacks the regenerating power of the true Gospel (sola gratia, sola fide).

Many Catholics have therefore either fled the smoke-filled cloiters of Roman religionism or found a church that preaches the Gospel and teaches the life-giving truths of Scripture. In short there is just not much in terms of real spiritual lfie to hold folks in the RCC, Smells and bells notwithstanding.

On the other hand, it should be noted that many unchurched and mainline Protestants have gone to Rome, impressed with its antiquity, size, and captivating liturgical milieu. This reverse exodus is also due to the sad state of mainline Protestantism, which lost its evangelical power by embracing liberalism - leaving its hapless members with a preachy PC pulpit and a vacuous, inert worship.

Both of the above are lifeless "religious" systems that offer nothing of substance to seeking refugees from the modern secular-humanist wasteland. We must await the emergence of a renewed and restored Christendom (and the Charismatic movement is NOT it). But it's on the way!

i visited st. patricks catholic church in new york city several years ago and one cannot help but be impressed with its architectural design and grandieur
but what struck me most was that all their statues (idols) of their saints were represented as 'alive' but their depiction of Jesus Christ on the cross 'He was dead' and to me that represents the whole of the rcc - it's a religious system replete with all sorts of man made traditions and rituals but is devoid of the living Son of God. Jesus warned the pharisee's concerning their traditions superseding Gods law - i believe the rcc would do well to listen to that same admonition. the one that leaves may be searching for true spiritual food while the ones that stay do so because the rcc makes it easy to sin (guiltlessly) by offering parishioners the confessional and penance.
my wifes entire family is catholic and none of them have any type of relationship with God. her nephew, his wife and children were here several weeks ago on a visit, after i gave thanks for our meal, one of the children asked me why i prayed over our meal - so it is apparent that in their catholic household that their is no thanksgiving to God for all He does. my faith is relational not abstract and maybe some catholics are beginning to seek out a relationship with God instead of going pointlessly to mass.

How about the narrowness of some religious folks who think they alone possess the truth and who, in their smug, unexamined certainty, write such simplistic comments on the Internet that thoughtful individuals shake their heads in disgust?