Are most people going to Hell?

[Hermione]

As I understand it, most people are going to Hell. Jesus Himself says so in the Bible when he says that the road to hell is wide, and the gate to Heaven is narrow and few enter it or something like that.

Furthermore, the Catechism says that no one is deemed ignorant of the moral law written in our conscience (or something similar), so people who deliberately and with full knowledge commit adultery, murder, theft etc. are in mortal sin even if they never heard of Catholicism. Right?

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml is a sermon by a saint, and here are some quotes:

Add the authority of the Greek and Latin Fathers to that of the theologians, and you will find that almost all of them say the same thing. This is the sentiment of Saint Theodore, Saint Basil, Saint Ephrem, Saint John Chrysostom. What is more, according to Baronius it was a common opinion among the Greek Fathers that this truth was expressly revealed to Saint Simeon Stylites and that after this revelation, it was to secure his salvation that he decided to live standing on top of a pillar for forty years, exposed to the weather, a model of penance and holiness for everyone. Now let us consult the Latin Fathers. You will hear Saint Gregory saying clearly, “Many attain to faith, but few to the heavenly kingdom.” Saint Anselm declares, “There are few who are saved.” Saint Augustine states even more clearly, “Therefore, few are saved in comparison to those who are damned.” The most terrifying, however, is Saint Jerome. At the end of his life, in the presence of his disciples, he spoke these dreadful words: “Out of one hundred thousand people whose lives have always been bad, you will find barely one who is worthy of indulgence.”

So is it true that most people are going to Hell?

Thanks!

 

[petra]

Hermione:

So is it true that most people are going to Hell?

When I read the title of your thread, the quote from Jesus that you cited is exactly what came to my mind. Apparently, yes, those that will actually be saved are in the minority.

 

[SWTHRT]

Even when I try to be a good person, I am always afraid of going to hell because of the Bible mentioning how few actually go to heaven. It is scary to me!

Karen

 

[demolitionman65]

Might try reading Lewis’ The Great Divorce. He paints a picture of hell that is essentially populated by people who wish to be there. (In keeping with the cliche of wanting to rule in hell rather than serve in heaven).

That may be a comforting thought.

MY fear is that I’ll be so overwhelmed by the purgatory bill I’ll have to pay that I’ll “wimp out”, so to speak.

 

[Hermione]

demolitionman65:

Might try reading Lewis’ The Great Divorce. He paints a picture of hell that is essentially populated by people who wish to be there. (In keeping with the cliche of wanting to rule in hell rather than serve in heaven).

That may be a comforting thought.

MY fear is that I’ll be so overwhelmed by the purgatory bill I’ll have to pay that I’ll “wimp out”, so to speak.

I read The Great Divorce and liked the picture of Hell painted by Lewis. (Mostly because it made me feel that since I don’t want to be there, I won’t go. And I could always take the bus to heaven! )

At the same time, Lewis’ picture of Hell is not the Catholic picture. Once you’re in Hell, there’s no way out. And you don’t go to Hell because you want to go to Hell, you go to Hell because you want to use birth control (95% or so of American Catholics do this, hard to believe that they don’t know the Church teaches against it), or you want to masturbate, or have premarital sex, or some other thing like that.

Doesn’t the Church teach that not wanting to go to Mass on Sunday and wilfully staying home will send you to Hell if you die right that instant?

This is really troubling and it’s making me have a lot of doubts because I can’t believe that a loving Father would let most of His children burn for eternity for trivial things like missing Mass without good reason.

 

[GoodMother]

I don’t think that’s for us to make a judgement on.

 

[Joan_M]

Hermione:

Doesn’t the Church teach that not wanting to go to Mass on Sunday and wilfully staying home will send you to Hell if you die right that instant?

This is really troubling and it’s making me have a lot of doubts because I can’t believe that a loving Father would let most of His children burn for eternity for trivial things like missing Mass without good reason.

Deliberately not going to Mass is not trivial. The Mass is the liturgy of the Church - the fullest worship of God that we can achieve here on earth. It is how we fulfill “Keep holy the Lord’s Day.” When we think that we have better things to do (like sleeping in, or playing sports, or whatever else we do when we don’t go to Mass) than worship God in the manner that He laid down, we insult Him. Since God is infinite, our insult to Him is also infinite. Definitely not trivial!!

When we really look at what the Mass is, and how we insult God by blowing it off, we will realize that missing Mass is never trivial.

 

[Pious_Redeemer]

You’re right about your last paragraph, IMHO. That is why we have confession and, most importantly, Jesus stands for forgiveness. He didn’t come here on Earth for the rightious, but for the marginalised: the poor, the sick, the prostitutes, the crippled, the criminals, the blind, the deaf, … . Only a so-called “modern” church which supports a good social security system to help these people puts Jesus’ words into action. In some countries around the world, this Catholic church exists. In others, I hope an alternative policy, other than a ‘welfare state’, can provide moral and physical support to these people - perhaps even better than in a ‘welfare state’, why not?

Just let us take care of the people Jesus took care of - perhaps some of us are in demand to be taken care of, like I am probably, because I’m a sinner - I just hope Jesus will forgive me, but if he doesn’t, I hope he will take my pious mother to his bosom when the time is there. I sincerely hope that her time has at least 10 more years of time to spare!

 

[Hermione]

Joan M:

Deliberately not going to Mass is not trivial. The Mass is the liturgy of the Church - the fullest worship of God that we can achieve here on earth. It is how we fulfill “Keep holy the Lord’s Day.” When we think that we have better things to do (like sleeping in, or playing sports, or whatever else we do when we don’t go to Mass) than worship God in the manner that He laid down, we insult Him. Since God is infinite, our insult to Him is also infinite. Definitely not trivial!!

When we really look at what the Mass is, and how we insult God by blowing it off, we will realize that missing Mass is never trivial.

I agree that it’s not necessarily trivial to deliberately miss Mass, but is it really bad enough to merit ETERNAL TORTURE IN HELL?

I don’t think so. It just doesn’t seem loving to let a human being (who otherwise could be a good human being who helps the poor, loves his family etc.) TO BURN FOREVER for having a day of selfishness and wanting to watch a movie instead of driving to Church and spending an hour there.

What if you were God, would you burn people for missing Mass?

 

[Pug]

Hermione:

Doesn’t the Church teach that not wanting to go to Mass on Sunday and wilfully staying home will send you to Hell if you die right that instant?

Well, you need a few more conditions on it, like you have to have some clue it would be seriously wrong.

This is really troubling and it’s making me have a lot of doubts because I can’t believe that a loving Father would let most of His children burn for eternity for trivial things like missing Mass without good reason.

God won’t send people to hell for trivial reasons. I think he will be fair. I don’t remember if you are Catholic, but can you list reasons to go to mass? If they are significant enough, then it would indeed be better to go than not, unless a good reason intervenes.

 

[Genesis315]

Hermione:

And you don’t go to Hell because you want to go to Hell, you go to Hell because you want to use birth control (95% or so of American Catholics do this, hard to believe that they don’t know the Church teaches against it), or you want to masturbate, or have premarital sex, or some other thing like that.

Doesn’t the Church teach that not wanting to go to Mass on Sunday and wilfully staying home will send you to Hell if you die right that instant?

To use contraception, etc. knowing it is against God’s law is to reject God. God loves everyone, but if someone rejects Him and doesn’t repent, that is their choice. Likewise, not going to Mass is rejecting God. Willfully disobeying God when you know His commands and what He requires is putting yourself above Him. Saying “God can’t tell me what to do” is in essence making yourself god and separating yourself from the true God.

 

[Hermione]

I agree that all those sins cause us to reject God. The main reason to go to Mass would be to be with Jesus who is present in the Eucharist. Watching a movie or something like that is not a good enough reason to miss this extremely important Sacrament.

BUT, what about Catholics who do miss Mass, Catholics who do use birth control? Sure, they are disobeying God, but can you really imagine these people (who are probably no worse than we are in other respects) being TORMENTED FOREVER WITH NO WAY OUT, NOT EVEN THE ABILITY TO CEASE TO EXIST?

It’s hard to believe that a loving God would create a Hell.

In addition it seems that most of us are going to Hell! This means that most people you know are probably going to burn forever. Maybe most of your family members will burn. Maybe you will burn alongside them!!!

 

[UKcatholicGuy]

Hermione,

Yes, it is a sobering fact that the majority (as I understand it, at least over 50% of people) will indeed end up in hell, but not because God sent them there, but because they rejected God and His grace. It’s a hard concept for us modern Americans: life is so easy for us! We’ve lost the sense of suffering for the Kingdom–Jesus said to take up our cross and follow Him if we want to be His disciples. But there seems to be this idea today–especially within Protestantism–that Jesus died to make us feel happy while on earth. Certainly, Jesus consoles us and CARRIES us through our problems on earth . . . but we owe Him our lives in return. It’s a beautiful thing to sacrifice one’s entire life to the Lord. It’s difficult, no doubt, but the reward is eternal life. Jesus said those who “persevere” to the end will be saved. Be careful not to buy into the once saved, always saved heresy–it’s very dangerous and lulls us into a false sense of security. Please don’t get me wrong-- every Christian should have HOPE of eternal salvation because God is a loving God–indeed, He is Love Himself. But to presume God’s mercy on us without repentence, etc is blasphemous. Think about what Jesus went through for us . . . we owe Him everything! I’m talking to myself here more than anyone, so please don’t think I’m Mr. self-righteous. But it would be wrong for me to reply to this post with a feel-good answer that isnt true. The truth is, once again, that salvation is harder than the modern American Catholic/Christian thinks; not because God is mean or unloving, but because we, as a people, have turned our backs on Him and have chosen wordly pleasure instead. Please don;t let this cause you dread-- if you follow the Lord Jesus with all your might and soul, and obey the commands of the Church, you should have every hope of seeing your Savior face-to-face when you leave this world. Remember that Jesus is MERCIFUL. He died for us while we were still sinners, HE LOVES US IMMENSELY! But remember how much we owe Him and be careful not to fall into the mentality of “a loving God wouldnt demand so much for salvation.” Truly, God desires for all men to be saved, but we who have heard the Good News have GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY to live our lives following all of Jesus’ commands. But again, trust in the Mercy of Jesus. Pray to Him and express your fears about this to Him–He will not leave you! Only you can leave Him. So if you don’t leave Him, you have nothing to worry about. Again, I’m speaking to myself here more than anyone. I hope this helps. God bless you, and may the PEACE of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you!

 

[UKcatholicGuy]

Hermione:

I agree that all those sins cause us to reject God. The main reason to go to Mass would be to be with Jesus who is present in the Eucharist. Watching a movie or something like that is not a good enough reason to miss this extremely important Sacrament.

BUT, what about Catholics who do miss Mass, Catholics who do use birth control? Sure, they are disobeying God, but can you really imagine these people (who are probably no worse than we are in other respects) being TORMENTED FOREVER WITH NO WAY OUT, NOT EVEN THE ABILITY TO CEASE TO EXIST?

It’s hard to believe that a loving God would create a Hell.

In addition it seems that most of us are going to Hell! This means that most people you know are probably going to burn forever. Maybe most of your family members will burn. Maybe you will burn alongside them!!!

you’re freaking out too much about this. many many people have had no problem keeping God’s commands about birth control, mass, etc in the past. the fact is, and you know this deep down, it’s very inconvenient to not be able to use birth control in these days. especially when everyone else around you–including maybe the “strongest” catholic you know–but it does not make it right. God’s law doesnt change. If we love God above all else, it is no big deal to forego using artificial birth control–He gives you strength to obey this command. We’re not on our own here. God gives us grace all the time to obey His commands! It’s all about where your prioroties are . . . you cannot serve two masters. It’s either God or the world. Please choose God, and above all, please PRAY to the Holy Spirit to enlighten you about the questions you have about hell, etc.

You’re in my prayers. God bless.

Please feel free to PM too if you need.

 

[Philthy]

Hermione:

Doesn’t the Church teach that not wanting to go to Mass on Sunday and wilfully staying home will send you to Hell if you die right that instant?

This is really troubling and it’s making me have a lot of doubts because I can’t believe that a loving Father would let most of His children burn for eternity for trivial things like missing Mass without good reason.

But don’t you see that’s precisely why our loving Father gave us a Church? As high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how high God’s ways are compared to ours. Our perspective is totally off. God gave us the Church to keep us on track. We always underestimate Gods holiness, and overestimate our worthiness.

Phil

 

[Genesis315]

Hermione:

BUT, what about Catholics who do miss Mass, Catholics who do use birth control? Sure, they are disobeying God, but can you really imagine these people (who are probably no worse than we are in other respects) being TORMENTED FOREVER WITH NO WAY OUT, NOT EVEN THE ABILITY TO CEASE TO EXIST?

I don’t want to sound judgmental, but people who knowingly reject God and choose not to repent are worse than those who don’t, to be blunt. We all screw up, but if you go to God with a contrite heart He will forgive you. Those who choose not to repent reject His forgiveness. That’s really bad.

 

[RSiscoe]

The following is a link to a great sermon on this topic.

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

It was given by Saint Leonard of Port Maurice…

Saint Leonard of Port Maurice was a most holy Franciscan friar who lived at the monastery of Saint Bonaventure in Rome. He was one of the greatest missioners in the history of the Church. He used to preach to thousands in the open square of every city and town where the churches could not hold his listeners. So brilliant and holy was his eloquence that once when he gave a two weeks’ mission in Rome, the Pope and College of Cardinals came to hear him. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the veneration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were his crusades. He was in no small way responsible for the definition of the Immaculate Conception made a little more than a hundred years after his death. He also gave us the Divine Praises, which are said at the end of Benediction. But Saint Leonard’s most famous work was his devotion to the Stations of the Cross. He died a most holy death in his seventy-fifth year, after twenty-four years of uninterrupted preaching.

One of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice’s most famous sermons was “The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved.” It was the one he relied on for the conversion of great sinners. This sermon, like his other writings, was submitted to canonical examination during the process of canonization. In it he reviews the various states of life of Christians and concludes with the little number of those who are saved, in relation to the totality of men. The reader who meditates on this remarkable text will grasp the soundness of its argumentation, which has earned it the approbation of the Church. Here is the great missionary’s vibrant and moving sermon.

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

 

[VociMike]

Hermione:

What if you were God, would you burn people for missing Mass?

Would you condemn every human being because two people ate the wrong fruit?

(I don’t accept this formulation, but I think it’s equivalent to yours)

 

[Hermione]

UKcatholicGuy:

you’re freaking out too much about this. many many people have had no problem keeping God’s commands about birth control, mass, etc in the past. the fact is, and you know this deep down, it’s very inconvenient to not be able to use birth control in these days. especially when everyone else around you–including maybe the “strongest” catholic you know–but it does not make it right. God’s law doesnt change. If we love God above all else, it is no big deal to forego using artificial birth control–He gives you strength to obey this command. We’re not on our own here. God gives us grace all the time to obey His commands! It’s all about where your prioroties are . . . you cannot serve two masters. It’s either God or the world. Please choose God, and above all, please PRAY to the Holy Spirit to enlighten you about the questions you have about hell, etc.

You’re in my prayers. God bless.

Please feel free to PM too if you need.

I agree that using birth control is a sin, it’s not right etc. etc. But is it really so bad that people who do it deserve eternal punishment?

I just can’t believe that a loving God would create a place of torment for users of birth control, miss-ers of Mass, and for that matter even adulterers and homosexuals. Why wouldn’t God put all those people into purgatory so that they’d have a chance of going to Heaven?

I don’t think homosexuality, or adultery, or for that matter even murder is bad enough to merit INFINITE TORTURE. Hell would be worse than being in a Nazi concentration camp, it would be worse than being raped by 100 guys who hate you, it would be worse than having your skin peeled off you, etc. etc.

I’m not trying to justify the use of birth control or something like that, but I just don’t think that the people who do it are evil enough to go to Hell. I dont think anyone is.

If you had created human beings, would you send them to Hell for not doing what you tell them to do? It’s hard to beleive that an all-loving, all-good God would.

 

[RSiscoe]

Hermione:

I agree that using birth control is a sin, it’s not right etc. etc. But is it really so bad that people who do it deserve eternal punishment?

I just can’t believe that a loving God would create a place of torment for users of birth control, miss-ers of Mass, and for that matter even adulterers and homosexuals. Why wouldn’t God put all those people into purgatory so that they’d have a chance of going to Heaven?

I don’t think homosexuality, or adultery, or for that matter even murder is bad enough to merit INFINITE TORTURE. Hell would be worse than being in a Nazi concentration camp, it would be worse than being raped by 100 guys who hate you, it would be worse than having your skin peeled off you, etc. etc.

I’m not trying to justify the use of birth control or something like that, but I just don’t think that the people who do it are evil enough to go to Hell. I dont think anyone is.

If you had created human beings, would you send them to Hell for not doing what you tell them to do? It’s hard to beleive that an all-loving, all-good God would.

The following verse come to mind: “Just father, the world does not know thee”.

How true that is: the world likes to focus on the mercy of God. God is indeed merciful, but only “to those who fear Him”. The world does not know the “just God”, and will find out too late that God demands that we obey Him - “only those who do the will of God will enter into the Kingdom of my Father” (Mt 7)

Let us learn to fear God now, so we can obtain His mercy. And let us not be as the world who does not know, nor fear, the “just God”.