Do Non-Christians go to hell?

[ready]

I know this isn’t really what you’re asking, but in general atheists have great faith. Most seem to have great faith in the principle that Science is the answer to all of our questions, even though, paradoxically, Science cannot prove that it is the answer to all of our questions.

In addition, they have great faith in believing things that they’ve been told, even if they never investigate the facts on their own. They believe something because they have faith in the one who told them this particular fact.

Unfortunately they lack faith in the one thing that can save their souls. A pity.

 

[PRmerger]

Unfortunately they lack faith in the one thing that can save their souls. A pity.

Indeed. :sad_yes:

Do you not find it ironic that they (in general) are quite scornful of faith while also demonstrating great faith (in non-religious things)?

 

[Trishie]

Regarding unbelievers

Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have this to say in the encyclical that the former pope drafted and was completed by Pope Francis:

vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

Because faith is a way, it also has to do with the lives of those men and women who, though not believers, nonetheless desire to believe and continue to seek. To the extent that they are sincerely open to love and set out with whatever light they can find, they are already, even without knowing it, on the path leading to faith. They strive to act as if God existed, at times because they realize how important he is for finding a sure compass for our life in common or because they experience a desire for light amid darkness, but also because in perceiving life’s grandeur and beauty they intuit that the presence of God would make it all the more beautiful. Saint Irenaeus of Lyons tells how Abraham, before hearing God’s voice, had already sought him “in the ardent desire of his heart” and “went throughout the whole world, asking himself where God was to be found”, until “God had pity on him who, all alone, had sought him in silence”.[32] Any-one who sets off on the path of doing good to others is already drawing near to God, is already sustained by his help, for it is characteristic of the divine light to brighten our eyes whenever we walk towards the fullness of love."

 

[ready]

Indeed. :sad_yes:

Do you not find it ironic that they (in general) are quite scornful of faith while also demonstrating great faith (in non-religious things)?

Yes, it is very ironic. Let us pray for their conversion. God bless you.

 

[Sirach2]

Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have this to say in the encyclical that the former pope drafted and was completed by Pope Francis:

vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

Because faith is a way, it also has to do with the lives of those men and women who, though not believers, nonetheless desire to believe and continue to seek. To the extent that they are sincerely open to love and set out with whatever light they can find,** they are already, even without knowing it, on the path leading to faith**. They strive to act as if God existed, at times because they realize how important he is for finding a sure compass for our life in common or because they experience a desire for light amid darkness, but also because in perceiving life’s grandeur and beauty they intuit that the presence of God would make it all the more beautiful.
…
Any-one who sets off on the path of doing good to others is already drawing near to God,** is already sustained by his help**, for it is characteristic of the divine light to brighten our eyes whenever we walk towards the fullness of love."

A wise and beautiful reflection from our popes, Trishie. Thanks for bringing this to light. It is so very discouraging to see the same cut-and-paste arguments from posters who obstinately persist in distorting the Church’s teachings in their own personal and false light. The souls of innocents who read these comments are jeopardized, and it seems nothing whatsoever has been able to influence a change of heart, despite the many authentic quotes that showed these persons their errors.

Here’s an example of solid teaching, but sadly, it fell on deaf ears, as will the new encyclical of Pope Francis.
1. 2. 3.

 

[Sirach2]

My point is that atheists can not be saved because they have not faith, hope, and charity in their souls along with perfect contrition. – All of these are required for their salvation.

False. I have asked you in another sub-forum to present a papal or conciliar document that PROVES the Church teaches what you claim as truth. The moderator wisely removed the thread. You never provided this, most likely because it is NOT Church teaching and cannot be found, whether in divine revelation, tradition, or doctrinal statements.

 

[sunnygt]

Of course the lack of logic here is, Hitler who was a Baptized Catholic, if he repented before taking his last breath, went to heaven, where the un-Baptized Jews he slaughtered went to hell.

The Church doesn’t know who goes to heave or hell, but trust in the mercy of God, for all.

Jim

THANK YOU. This is perfect. So true.

I love God and follow the path of Catholicism with a faithful heart, but I refuse to believe that a God who loves His people as much as boundlessly as he does would condemn them to an eternity in Hell for not being a part of one specific religion.

I also firmly believe that of many of the people on here, probably most of us really, had been born into devout Jewish or Hindu or Muslim families/cultures, we would not have accepted the Church as the one true path to Heaven… and would be just as convinced that path was the one and only way to attain salvation. Apparently some pretty important people in the history of our Church understand this concept as well.

"“Do NOT think that you are going among Infidels. Muslims attain salvation, too. The ways of Providence are infinite.” - Pope Pius XI, 1954

I’ll probably get flamed and “you’re going to HELL”’-ed for this, but that’s fine. The bottom line is we really don’t know.

 

[Pathmaker]

THANK YOU. This is perfect. So true.

I love God and follow the path of Catholicism with a faithful heart, but I refuse to believe that a God who loves His people as much as boundlessly as he does would condemn them to an eternity in Hell for not being a part of one specific religion.

I also firmly believe that of many of the people on here, probably most of us really, had been born into devout Jewish or Hindu or Muslim families/cultures, we would not have accepted the Church as the one true path to Heaven… and would be just as convinced that path was the one and only way to attain salvation. Apparently some pretty important people in the history of our Church understand this concept as well.

"“Do NOT think that you are going among Infidels. Muslims attain salvation, too. The ways of Providence are infinite.” - Pope Pius XI, 1954

I’ll probably get flamed and “you’re going to HELL”’-ed for this, but that’s fine. The bottom line is we really don’t know.

I agree with you on this. I’m not saying I encourage everyone to go out and convert to a different religion, I love the faith of the Church and am proud to be Catholic, but I heard someone say something the other day that I thought was pretty interesting. It went something like this:

“I don’t think an all-merciful, all-loving God would tell a person when they die, who spent their entire life in loving care and service to others, and sacrificed of themselves for the sake of humanity every day of their life, ‘I’m sorry, you’re a Hindu, you’re going to burn in a lake of fire for all enternity’ regardless of their desires to actually formally enter the Catholic Church.”