Can others find GOD in different religons?

[Mike]

SPH1:

I sometimes think that all “saved” non-Catholics will remain in Purgatory until the second coming, since the Church doesn’t canonize non-Catholic Saints.

I don’t think that if the Church canonize a Catholic Saint will mean go to Heaven automatically afterwards. I believe that Catholics will go through purgatory instanteously and go into heaven.

I think canonization is good for Catholics to be able to recognize this person as a Saint. There is many Catholics who is not famous or go unregcognized will be recognized by God himself and give them sainthood eventhough Catholic Church does not see it.

 

[JVPhil413]

Mike:

There is difference… People can find God in other religions, but they accept God from which religion is a big factor.

If Catholic… then some of them will go to God.
If Christian… then some of them will go to God.
If any other religion who does not believe that Jesus is the son of God and they will not go to God.

I pray that people who earnestly search for something in their life, hope they will find God.

Actually Mike the CCC, citing Vatican II says:

“all men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation.” (836)

The Catechism, drawing generously from Vatican II, then goes into more detail to describe the nature of the relationship of the Church with Christians, Jews, Muslims and non-Christians (836-884).

Even of non-Christian faiths the Catechism states that “the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as ‘a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may have life.’” (844)

But now, regarding those who definitely will not be saved, Jesus himself asserted the need for baptism to attain heaven (cf. Jn 3:5) which implies a need for a church (cf. Mt 28:19) so we conclude that, “they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or remain in it” (CCC, 846).

Warmest regards,

John

 

[Malachi4U]

God picks who to give His grace to. There are very good Christains outside the Catholic Church.

I found Christ while in a Baptist church and He led me home! He opened my eyes while I was reading Scripture and discovered it was 100% Catholic and not Baptist.

God loves all His children

 

[MattG]

darcee:

You never find God… God finds you.

Heaven is described as the Beatific Vision, seeing God as He is.

So, on Earth God finds us; in Heaven we find God or are allowed to see God as He is.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

I think that people can find a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ outside of the Catholic Church, even though their religion (or lack of religion) limits their full understanding of that relationship. Just my two cents.

Tempus Fugit Memento Mori

 

[CARose]

Can others find GOD in different religions? This is how the survey was worded. And in answer to this question, I had to answer an honest and unequivicable YES.

But, once I know the Fullness of God’s Truth as given to the world through the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, should I leave home in search of God? No.

Is it possible to have been raised within the Church and still not “get it”? YES

Faith is a Grace, given by God, in His time. We are all provided with this Grace at Baptism and again at our Confirmation, but if we oppose this Grace, through sin, it can be lost, without our even realizing our role in this loss. When we cleanse ourselves from sin through initial Baptism and the sacrament of Reconciliation we open ourselves back up to the fullness of this Grace and allow it to function in our lives.

We can pray for Faith, Mary is an exceptionally good intercessor for this pray, as she loves those who desire to love her Son.

Try it, you’ll like it!

Go with God,

CARose

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

rmikulas:

Do you believe that going though other religons or a few religons, a person can still find their way towards GOD even if it is not the Catholic Religon?

It is always God, never man, who takes the initiative - so if He is sought, it is because He puts the desire for God into the hearts of those who seek Him.​

Being Catholic is no guarantee of even thinking about God, let alone seeking Him - religion is all but irrelevant. The action of God is what is essential, our searching is secondary to it - so if He wants a satanist to find him, a satanist will be able to do so. A Catholic who is just not interested in God, won’t find Him.

St. Augustine was not even a Christian, let alone a Catholic, never mind a Catholic Saint; he was a Manichee for nine years. He was a Catholic of some kind before being a Manichee, true - but St. Paul was not. He, is the living proof that one does not have to begin as a Catholic, or even as a Christian, in order to find God.

To deny that God can be found in other religions, is to deny that God can give grace to those in them - it is to deny that God can give the grace of conversion to non-Catholics, and so it makes God Almighty weaker than the institutions we create. It implies that God is very small and feeble, and no match for the ability of man to hide from him. This is hardly better - if it is better - than believing in no God at all. ##

 

[Exporter]

Find God? Go some where and FIND God? Find God in a Religion?

I don’t accept the question. We don’t have to go “somewhere” to find God. When I read that some person “found God” in a certain church, I have to doubt that. I see God in clouds, birds, children and in all his creations. We Catholics have the Eucharist which is the closest thing to God in earth that we have. In fact the Eucharist is God in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

[reen12]

Dear rmikalaus,

I haven’t read your posts on other threads, but when I read
you saying:

I would gladly give up my ticket to heaven in order for an inocent child to go if they weren’t catholic.

I thought to myself: a generous impulse does not
go unrewarded.

One other thought: There’s an old saying that
“grace builds on nature.” The natural curiosity
that you are bringing to a study of religions may
end up leading you to take very seriously the
beliefs held by Judaeo-Christians.

God cannot be studied as an “object”, among
other “objects”, OK?
A creature is in no position to take an “idle”
interest in his Creator. Do you understand what
I am saying, here?
I mean, a person can take an “idle” interest in
God; can treat the study of God as an “object”
among other “objects”, but what such an
inquirer will end up with, I believe, is an intellectual
version of cotton candy.
I wish you godspeed in your inquiries.
Kindest regards,
reen12

 

[rayne100]

bonica:

Rmikulas seems to be trying to find someone to tell him it is ok to be involved with Wicca. (NO it is not) Please see the other threads he has posted on/started. Just thought you all should be aware.

He does not state this in his post. It was an honest question and one that should be discussed, whether or not it was motivated by another reason.
And I don not believe it is anyone’s job to tell him what he can and cannot be involved with. He knows what should and should not be done. I don’t believe that the majority of people really know all that much about Wicca (objectively) to make any comments on his question. But I also have no desire to start a fight, If I have made any inflamatory remarks, I appologize.

 

[carol_marie]

The way to God is only through Jesus Christ. Many people love and serve Jesus outside of the Catholic Church even though they aren’t receiving all the graces through the sacrements found in His Church. That is my opinion.

And to the original poster, I think it’s wonderful that you are taking an interest in religion. Keep learning, keep reading, keep your heart and mind open to where God might be leading you. I pray that you’ll find your way to His Son who loved YOU so much he died for you so that you may find forgivnes. His mercy and love for you is unsurpassed.
God Bless, CM

 

[puzzleannie]

it’s all in Aquinas, it’s all in Aquinas, what are they teaching them in schools these days? (the Professor muttered)

 

[FCEGM]

I do have a “Fullness In Faith” when it comes to the Catholic Religon but I would feel cheated if I didn’t have the information I needed to justify that “Fullness In Faith”. I would feel cheated if I didn’t question my faith from time to time. It’s that questioning that always brings me back to believing.

As Catholics we believe there is objective Truth to be known and embraced re Faith and Morals because Christ has come from the Father to reveal Himself and how we should live in Him in this life and the next, and that Christ has given the authority to His Church to preserve and teach these truths for our salvation. So those who do embrace Christ in and through His Church do have a deeper spiritual insight and anointing than those who prefer the *a la carte * approach to religious belief and practice.

Keep in mind that we don’t “get” ourselves to believe. We prepare ourselves to believe through simply saying, “I believe, Lord, help Thou my unbelief.” One, however, who wants to believe through his own sorting through all the arguments one can array pro and con will not come to the fullness of the faith; rather, wanting to believe as the Lord would have one with and through His Church is what is efficacious to belief. The Lord did not create us to live in unsurety, but to be assured of the truth of His teaching through His Church to which He has entrusted all that He would have us believe and how He would have us live in concert with what we believe.

One with Catholic and Divine Faith sustained by prayer and moral living will have questions (for which theology gives fitting arguments which will make sense) - or which even if not grasped as fitting will not essentially destroy Catholic and Divine Faith; one can afford to wait for a theological explanation. Faith of this Divine and Catholic sort is experienced as a Gift or Grace from God personally. The teachings will not be experienced, then, as being merely mental assertions about reality (as you seem to be approaching them), or proposed doctrines, because now the soul is experiencing them as lived and living truths.

A suggestion: Immerse yourself in the writings of the Saints (e.g., Story of a Soul - the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux; The Way of Perfection, by St. Teresa of Avila; Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales); seek the wisdom of such as these and seek their aid in prayer.

 

[Kevin_Walker]

I have never found God in my study of other religions. I have found a different philosophy, a way of meditation, a collection of different expressions, but not God.

The more I study other religions, the more of a Roman Catholic I become.

 

[therealgoodnews]

Gottle of Geer,
Well said and very true. As a former Catholic, I feel closer to God now than ever. John 3:3 states that unless a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Nowhere does it say you must be catholic or protestant or muslim or any religion. That’s the key. It’s not about religion it’s about being reborn in water and spirit. Religion is a clever way that Satan uses to divide christians. People have fought and killed defending their religion, while in turn shaming Jesus. Think about it, the people who Jesus called vipers, hypocrites, and sons of Satan were the religious Pharisees and Saducees.

 

[BlessedBe13]

bonica:

Rmikulas seems to be trying to find someone to tell him it is ok to be involved with Wicca. (NO it is not)

And just why not? As I’ve said before, there are many paths and they all reach the same destination. I don’t know Rmikulas, but if he does not hold Catholic or Christian beliefs, he should not pretend to follow the religion. If someday he does hold the beliefs, good for him.

If he is getting involved in Wicca for spells and magic, etc., or to be all “cool and rebelious” no he shouldn’t get involved, because that is not what Wicca is about. Wicca is a religion. Maybe he should look into Witchcraft. However, if he is involved in Wicca for religious purposes, that is fine. That may be his path to deity.

I suppose I should note, for those who don’t know, that I am Wiccan and studying Witchcraft, although I do not currently practice it. I am not trying to advertise my religion, or tell him what religion he should belong to. I am simply stating that if he holds beliefs that are similar with a particular faith, there is no problem in finding his way to deity through that faith - be it Christianity, Wicca, Judaism, Hinduism, etc.

 

[BlessedBe13]

rmikulas:

I do not need anyone’s OK. Religion I make my own choices based on my knowledge.

Very true. Religion is a very personal thing and the decision of what to follow is yours alone.

Knowledge can’t harm someone in my opinion, only make them stronger.

Once again, very true. Having knowledge opens you up to a world of possibilities. Especially if you are in the process of discovering a path for yourself, knowledge is very important before you jump into everything.

I am on a journey to find my faith as well as myself, but more so, to find out as much as I can about ALL religons.

That is good. Aside from the fact that learning about various faiths is very interesting, knowledge can help you make decisions in faith as well as knowledge of other faiths can help you to understand and even reinforce your own spiritual beliefs (or at least it has for me).

 

[BlessedBe13]

rayne100:

He does not state this in his post. It was an honest question and one that should be discussed, whether or not it was motivated by another reason.

I agree.

I don’t believe that the majority of people really know all that much about Wicca (objectively) to make any comments on his question.

I agree again. I am not here to “advertise” my beliefs, but am perfectly happy to answer questions, and try to correct misunderstandings when I see them.

 

[Exporter]

I do not need anyone’s OK. I make my own choices based on my knowledge. I LOVE to hear peoples opinions about things. Religon is so exciting and facinating to me and happens to be a very controversial topic. Knowledge can’t harm someone in my opinion, only make them stronger. I am having a HUGE facination with religon at the moment. I am on a journey to find my faith as well as myself, but more so, to find out as much as I can about ALL religons. Is there any harm in that? I am a writer, and until a few months ago, I never really had a true PASSION to found out so much on just 1 topic. I’m not writing or doinga story about religon but want to further educate myself as much as possible and argue my opinions. If your opinion doesn’t agree with mine, please argue away. Any information I get only helps, not hurts.

So please don’t assume that I am looking for an OK. Everyone can say OK to whatever they want, but I make up my own mind.

---

One characteristic of good Catholics is the trait of humbleness. It seems you are not humble. May I say you fit into the group called skeptics? A hard heat cannot understand spiritual things.

 

[jimmy]

rmikulas:

Do you believe that going though other religons or a few religons, a person can still find their way towards GOD even if it is not the Catholic Religon?

I thought the choices were incomplete. There is one Church of God, and that is the Catholic Church. But I wouldn’t say that all non-Catholics are damned to hell.