Souljunkie has given us an excellent witness of what Catholicism has done to its adherents. Because it encourages one to place their faith in a man-made religious system of works instead of in the Person of Jesus Christ; it elevates faith to be an entity unto itself without a sure foundation. When the system fails them, as men will do, such ungrounded faith suffers a serious blow from dissolutionment. When one's faith is placed firmly upon the One Who has secured our salvation, even though perhaps weak, it will abide so that we will persevere in Christ. Many Catholics who leave Catholicism often abandon their faith as well. This is the tragedy of all those caught up in cultic/ idolatrous systems. Catholicism with its false gospel of sacramental works has put itself and its papal leader in the place of our true Mediator, Jesus Christ; which is why its followers can never be certain of their salvation. Protestants hold to the authority of scripture because this is how they were able to escape the errors of Catholicism. We see the scripture as a precious gift because it is through God's revealed word that we come to know and love our Savior who is the Living Word of God. I have met practicing Catholics who did not even know that Jesus is alive! Rom 10:17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. If you build up your faith upon the foundation laid for us in scripture you will know the One in Whom you believe is faithful, and you will have boldness to approach the throne of God in your time of need with confidence that you will receive His help. When you do that, calling upon the name of the Lord in true faith, you will find the assurance you need to sustain that faith that comes only by the grace of God and not by works.