Do Non-Christians go to hell?

[yuzurusan]

So I still dont understand. Please know I just finished middle school a month ago. The posts with stuff from the Catechism are somewhat difficult to understand. But to me it seems like the things you are saying are contradicting each other, but I may be comprehending them incorrectly. By the way, Im agnostic right now, in case I didnt mention it in my last post. I was trying to strengthen my faith in God, but this problem started worrying me, and I became agnostic again. So do only Catholics go to Heaven? Or is it any Christian is able to, but other religions arent? Or is it other religions can, but only under certain circumstances? If so, then what are these circumstances? Also, how can someone really know that the Catholic Church is true? How can someone know any religion is true? Some religions say other religions go to hell, or that only their religion could go to Heaven. I still dont know exactlyt what the Catholic Church teaches, im getting confused. But is that fair? There are tons of religions in the world. Is there really any proof for any of them? Like really real proof? So does someone just have to hope they choose the right religion so they dont go to hell? Is that fair? I dont believe thats fair at all. Its not justice. I’ve heard that God is just, which means he knows justice. I would hope that means he judges people on their actions and not their beliefs, but i dont know. Im so upset about all this. I like what Trishie said though, thanks for sharing that link.

Remember that God sees the mind and the heart.
Remember Matthew 25 verses 31-46,
and note what the Pope said recently
catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=51077

I hope I did that quote right, Im kinda new to posting here. Some of the other replies seem to say other things though. Im so confused and upset. I want to figure this out. Because it already really bothers me that anyone would have to go to hell and be tortured forever. Doesn’t that sound terrible? It bothers me that a place like that even exists. But then if they go there for choosing the wrong religion, which they really have no way of knowing for sure, then that would be unfair, wouldnt it? I have friends and know people of other religions, and I know there are countries with few Christians. Its upsetting to think they could go to hell for not believing in the right thing. But i still dont know what the Church teaches about this, your replies are confusing me, im sorry. Im so depressed right now. Please help me.

I’ve gone to a Catholic school all my life. My teacher this past year, who was a Dominican Sister, taught about this some. I think she said that Catholics have the surest way of getting to Heaven or something like that. But other religions are also able to go to Heaven. She said something like that God judges us based on our actions. If a person isnt Catholic, they may still know the commandments. People who arent even religious still know morals. I think she said that there are Commandments written in our heart, and that God will judge people based on how they follow the morals they know or something like that. She said that God expects Catholics to do closer to what He wants and he will be a harder judge on us or something, since we should know what He wants by studying our religion I guess. Anyways, is that true? Is what she taught true? I really hope it is. I really hope others can go to Heaven. I dont want people to go to Hell. I really dont like it. Its upsetting me. Thank you again for reading all this.

 

[thistle]

So I still dont understand. Please know I just finished middle school a month ago. The posts with stuff from the Catechism are somewhat difficult to understand. But to me it seems like the things you are saying are contradicting each other, but I may be comprehending them incorrectly. By the way, Im agnostic right now, in case I didnt mention it in my last post. I was trying to strengthen my faith in God, but this problem started worrying me, and I became agnostic again.** So do only Catholics go to Heaven?** Or is it any Christian is able to, but other religions arent? Or is it other religions can, but only under certain circumstances? If so, then what are these circumstances? Also, how can someone really know that the Catholic Church is true? How can someone know any religion is true? Some religions say other religions go to hell, or that only their religion could go to Heaven. I still dont know exactlyt what the Catholic Church teaches, im getting confused. But is that fair? There are tons of religions in the world. Is there really any proof for any of them? Like really real proof? So does someone just have to hope they choose the right religion so they dont go to hell? Is that fair? I dont believe thats fair at all. Its not justice. I’ve heard that God is just, which means he knows justice. I would hope that means he judges people on their actions and not their beliefs, but i dont know. Im so upset about all this. I like what Trishie said though, thanks for sharing that link.

I hope I did that quote right, Im kinda new to posting here. Some of the other replies seem to say other things though. Im so confused and upset. I want to figure this out. Because it already really bothers me that anyone would have to go to hell and be tortured forever. Doesn’t that sound terrible? It bothers me that a place like that even exists. But then if they go there for choosing the wrong religion, which they really have no way of knowing for sure, then that would be unfair, wouldnt it? I have friends and know people of other religions, and I know there are countries with few Christians. Its upsetting to think they could go to hell for not believing in the right thing. But i still dont know what the Church teaches about this, your replies are confusing me, im sorry. Im so depressed right now. Please help me.

I’ve gone to a Catholic school all my life. My teacher this past year, who was a Dominican Sister, taught about this some. I think she said that Catholics have the surest way of getting to Heaven or something like that. But other religions are also able to go to Heaven. She said something like that God judges us based on our actions. If a person isnt Catholic, they may still know the commandments. People who arent even religious still know morals. I think she said that there are Commandments written in our heart, and that God will judge people based on how they follow the morals they know or something like that. She said that God expects Catholics to do closer to what He wants and he will be a harder judge on us or something, since we should know what He wants by studying our religion I guess. Anyways, is that true? Is what she taught true? I really hope it is. I really hope others can go to Heaven. I dont want people to go to Hell. I really dont like it. Its upsetting me. Thank you again for reading all this.

Read my posts #2 and #8.

There is no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

 

[yuzurusan]

Read my posts #2 and #8.

There is no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

Okay I dont understand what you said in post #8. But okay. it seems that non-Catholics are going to hell then? Well thats depressing

Thats unfair. I dont believe thats justice. This is just terrible. they dont all deserve eternal punishment.

I dont know if I’m able to love God if He would let good people go to hell because of their beliefs

 

[Meemai]

On the contrary! We can absolutely guarantee it because God himself has revealed this Truth to us! It is heresy to say that our faith is somehow doubtful or unsure when Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

Salvation is secured through the Church and a sacramental life beginning with Baptism is the only true way to Heaven. This has been assured to us, and proven by the scores of saints who intercede for us in the Church Triumphant, throughout all of salvation history.

Jesus said that indeed. But I might be wrong, but Jesus send his apostles trough the world. But I don’t know if Jesus really wanted a church that would become a world might like it has been in medieval times etc.

I think Jesus wanted pelgrims that would spread the world all trough the world. But this is my own believe. Is that heresey? I just think a world might like the church is right now. And a pope having a golden ring or silver and big palaces etc.

I just cannot link this to the humble Jesus. Jesus would have refused a golden ring. Thus in the catholic religion I do apreciate the monks like the camillians that help others or the carmalites. If I spelled that correctly.

But the church I don’t know I think it lost it’s being humble. But this is my own opinion and
I have been thinking about this for a looooooooooooong time and will make a topic about it soon. I have to do some more research.

I know Jesus said Peter would be the rock on which he would build his church or something like that. But Peter did not recognize Jesus on the shore when Jesus was there. He also was the second to arive at his tomb and stuff like that. To be honest I sometiems think Peter might have gotten Jesus his words wrong. But then again I can be wrong.

I am just venting my opinions sadly that makes me acused of heresy and trolling. I believe I’m not well liked here, or my opinions are not welcome. So I guess love thy neighbour only counts for people that think the same as every normal catholic. God has cursed me with a personality disorder which puts me apart from the normies. I see things… Things that I would not like to see. But I can see them and do things with them.

 

[PRmerger]

So you are saying the Pope Paul V1 declared we are united linked with other Christians
but many christian churches do have communion, Because I have been coming to the Catholic Church to consider joining but not to make others I know are Christians and bare the evidence of it to think they are out cast to God would be just embarible.

No one is an outcast to God. God wills the salvation of all.

However, salvation is achieved ONLY through Christ, and HIs Body, the Catholic Church.

 

[PRmerger]

I am just venting my opinions sadly that makes me acused of heresy and trolling. I believe I’m not well liked here, or my opinions are not welcome. So I guess love thy neighbour only counts for people that think the same as every normal catholic.

You are quite welcome to be here on the CAFs, Meemai. Your opinions, as long as they are posted in charity and are coherent, are always welcome.

Now, the fact that others may not agree with what you have said, or may refute your statements, or tell you that you are wrong, ought not be mistaken as someone saying they don’t like you, or that you are not welcome here.

 

[PRmerger]

Jesus said that indeed. But I might be wrong, but Jesus send his apostles trough the world. But I don’t know if Jesus really wanted a church that would become a world might like it has been in medieval times etc.

If the Church did not have power as it did in the midieval times, we might all be worshipping Allah right now. Or pagan gods.

So we Christians ought to be mighty thankful indeed that the Church lived the way she did in the midieval times.

I just cannot link this to the humble Jesus. Jesus would have refused a golden ring.

I don’t know about that. He accepted and praised the woman who poured expensive nard on his feet and washed them clean with her hair.

I know Jesus said Peter would be the rock on which he would build his church or something like that. But Peter did not recognize Jesus on the shore when Jesus was there. He also was the second to arive at his tomb and stuff like that. To be honest I sometiems think Peter might have gotten Jesus his words wrong. But then again I can be wrong.

Not sure what being second at the tomb has to do with anything. Eve was created second, but surely you don’t mean that this means she is inferior to Adam, right?

 

[PRmerger]

I dont know if I’m able to love God if He would let good people go to hell because of their beliefs

This response prompts 2 comments:

-make sure that you are conforming your beliefs to Christ’s, not creating a god in your own image. That is, make sure you’re not deciding upon a god that happens to agree with everything you happen to believe.

-surely you don’t believe that all beliefs are equal, right? That is, a man who believes that it’s ok to enslave another man based on his race does not have a good belief, right? Even if he is good in every other way,…

 

[PRmerger]

But okay. it seems that non-Catholics are going to hell then? Well thats depressing

No one has said that here.

We don’t know who’s in hell, yuzurusan. That’s above our pay grade.

Strive to enter.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

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

 

[yuzurusan]

This response prompts 2 comments:

-make sure that you are conforming your beliefs to Christ’s, not creating a god in your own image. That is, make sure you’re not deciding upon a god that happens to agree with everything you happen to believe.

-surely you don’t believe that all beliefs are equal, right? That is, a man who believes that it’s ok to enslave another man based on his race does not have a good belief, right? Even if he is good in every other way,…

I didn’t mean to say that all beliefs are equal. What I’m saying is that someone shouldn’t get eternal punishment for believing in the wrong religion. because how are we supposed to know which of the tons of religions are true? Doesn’t pretty much every religion claim to be the true one? Is there any real proof for any of them? Religion seems to be faith-based, which would mean that we believe with faith, not proof. But what if someone puts their faith into a different religion? How were they supposed to know that they were supposed to be Catholic? So then they get eternal punishment? Is that fair? I remember reading an article, and I think the author was a Muslim, and he was talking about these things. He said how Christianity would say that he is going to hell because he didn’t believe Jesus was God. But also, his religion would have said that Christians go to hell because they do believe Jesus was God. But how can a person really know for sure? Do they just have to study and hope they picked the right one? What if they dont pick the right one? That isn’t fair.
Okay I found the article again: comereason.org/cmp_rlgn/cmp062.asp

 

[PRmerger]

I didn’t mean to say that all beliefs are equal. What I’m saying is that someone shouldn’t get eternal punishment for believing in the wrong religion.

Even if he believes that Jesus is Satan. for example?

Now, of course I am using an extreme example, but it serves to make a point: there are indeed some religions that are false, and if someone chooses to believe something that is false, then he is setting himself up for failure.

because how are we supposed to know which of the tons of religions are true?

By using our reason and intellect.

 

[fred_conty]

Jesus said that indeed. But I might be wrong, but Jesus send his apostles trough the world. But I don’t know if Jesus really wanted a church that would become a world might like it has been in medieval times etc.

I think Jesus wanted pelgrims that would spread the world all trough the world. But this is my own believe. Is that heresey? I just think a world might like the church is right now. And a pope having a golden ring or silver and big palaces etc.

I just cannot link this to the humble Jesus. Jesus would have refused a golden ring. Thus in the catholic religion I do apreciate the monks like the camillians that help others or the carmalites. If I spelled that correctly.

But the church I don’t know I think it lost it’s being humble. But this is my own opinion and
I have been thinking about this for a looooooooooooong time and will make a topic about it soon. I have to do some more research.

I know Jesus said Peter would be the rock on which he would build his church or something like that. But Peter did not recognize Jesus on the shore when Jesus was there. He also was the second to arive at his tomb and stuff like that. To be honest I sometiems think Peter might have gotten Jesus his words wrong. But then again I can be wrong.

I am just venting my opinions sadly that makes me acused of heresy and trolling. I believe I’m not well liked here, or my opinions are not welcome. So I guess love thy neighbour only counts for people that think the same as every normal catholic. God has cursed me with a personality disorder which puts me apart from the normies. I see things… Things that I would not like to see. But I can see them and do things with them.

I think the approach to the question should be different.

One time Jesus told one of his apostles to do something. One of the other apostles sort of demanded of Jesus to know why he wasn’t coming with them and sort of what is he up to? It was then that Jesus said in so many words that “its none of your buisness”. If I want him to do that and you to do something else, then it isn’t your affair to decide if this is ok. Just do what you are told to do and don’t worry about what others are doing.

I think it is much of the same situation in this matter. Its none of our buisness how God handles other people or what he does. What he tells us to do is important and we should follow that and leave the other matters in Jesus’ hands. Others can always use our help with our prayers, but knowing what is going on is not helping anyone and may go contrary to our trust in Jesus handling the affair quite nicely without our nosey questions about his ability.

I think we have a lot to take care of what God’s will is in our own life without trying to direct traffic in other’s.

Just pray for them, this is what Jesus wants of us, and then we too must do what he wants.

Just a thought.​

“Heaven and earth shall rejoice in his might. Every heart, every nation call him Lord.” (hymn)

 

[yuzurusan]

I think the approach to the question should be different.

One time Jesus told one of his apostles to do something. One of the other apostles sort of demanded of Jesus to know why he wasn’t coming with them and sort of what is he up to? It was then that Jesus said in so many words that “its none of your buisness”. If I want him to do that and you to do something else, then it isn’t your affair to decide if this is ok. Just do what you are told to do and don’t worry about what others are doing.

I think it is much of the same situation in this matter. Its none of our buisness how God handles other people or what he does. What he tells us to do is important and we should follow that and leave the other matters in Jesus’ hands. Others can always use our help with our prayers, but knowing what is going on is not helping anyone and may go contrary to our trust in Jesus handling the affair quite nicely without our nosey questions about his ability.

I think we have a lot to take care of what God’s will is in our own life without trying to direct traffic in other’s.

Just pray for them, this is what Jesus wants of us, and then we too must do what he wants.

Just a thought.​

“Heaven and earth shall rejoice in his might. Every heart, every nation call him Lord.” (hymn)

Thank you. That reminds me of something I saw in my house yesterday that had a quote from Padre Pio on it. “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry” is what it said. Thank you. Really, Thank you.

 

[fred_conty]

I agree, what Padre Pio said makes good sense and worth holding onto.​

“Clear the shadows from our sight, set our troubled world a right. Fill our eyes with radiant light. Lord Jesus come.” (hymn)

 

[autumnmoon]

Read my posts #2 and #8.

There is no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

That’s your opinion but as I have had to take the time to check this out. you are either not up with the times or you are just stuck in an untruth.
Second Edition
Catechism Catholic Church
Promulgated by Pope Paul II
page 235
#818
Wounds to unity
However one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities { that resulted from such separation} and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ , and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect ans affection as brothers. All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated onto Christ they therefore have the right to be called Christians and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by THE CHILDREN OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

#819
Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found out side the visible confines of the Catholic Church the written Word of God the life of grace, faith, hope and charity with other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as visible elements. Christ Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as a means of salvation whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to Him and are in themselves calls to Catholic unity.
…
Heaven is not sectioned off. And no where in the Bible does it say that. God wants unity and peace. And all the bickering and fighting to end and take the love of God to a sick and dieing world and be a light to the world through us instead of what I have seen in all churches their clicks, gossip, shunning, not speaking. making it harder for those that do embrace God’s work of salvation trying to over come all mean spiritness and hold on to these souls when they come to the church before they are driven away by people that have taken their eyes off Jesus Christ and replaced it with seeds of discontent and that is not of God but the devils work. I have seen this happen so much and done to me. And People that do this will answer to God for these acts. The Pope embraces and loves people. When We stand before God what will hold in our hands{our lives} hold out to Him ? Did we bring people to Him or drive them away. The word Christianity the very word has been divided,torn to pieces, and it is even harder for to minister the word because how people was treated when they came trusting the first time. The Church needs to wake up before its too late and reach out in healing love. Are we being Christ are just lulled into going through the motion? Peace be with you.::
.

 

[autumnmoon]

Thank you. That reminds me of something I saw in my house yesterday that had a quote from Padre Pio on it. “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry” is what it said. Thank you. Really, Thank you.

Thanks Fred!

 

[TRH1292]

“No Salvation outside the Catholic Church” is a dogma that has been infallibly pronounced more than one time.

However, this teaching does not mean what most people think it means. All the questions in this thread can be summed up in a few points.

1. God strongly desires every Human being to be saved.
2. God sent Jesus to die for every human being.
3. Christ established the Catholic Church and the Sacrifice of Mass and the other sacraments especially Baptism for the salvation of the world.
4. God’s perfect will for every human being is that they may enter in the Church through Baptism and be saved.
5. The Catholic Church is the only ark of Salvation God established and joining it is the only sure path of salvation.
6. Not all have access to the Church, and not all have a proper understanding due to outstanding circumstances , such as how they were raised, to the truth of the Catholic Church. It’s a confusing world.
7. But because of #1 and #2, God gives every person a chance to be saved. God gives every single person sufficient grace to be saved, regardless of if they know about the Church.
8. People who respond to his Grace may be joined to the Church mystically by a Baptism of Desire if they truly seek the will of God, because God is merciful, even if this desire is only implicit.
9. Those who are saved with this Baptism of Desire, or saved by being a non-catholic Christian who was ignorant of these truths, are still saved through the Catholic Church. They are saved from Grace that comes from the catholic sacraments and the sacrifice of Mass and prayers of the Church. They are united to the Church fully in heaven.
10. Outside of the visible structures and sacraments of the Church, there can be no definite assurance of salvation.
11. The Church hopes that in God’s mercy all may respond to his graces that he gives to all and be saved, even if perhaps at death. Even if this is unlikely, the church hopes and prays for the salvation of all people.
12. For those who knowingly reject the Catholic Church with enough evidence to reasonably know it is true have absolutely no hope for salvation unless they repent, but we do not know who has reached such a point.
13. The Church does not know if any person or what persons have entered hell, or how many. This is simply not known.

 

[PRmerger]

That’s your opinion but as I have had to take the time to check this out. you are either not up with the times or you are just stuck in an untruth.

No, this is absolutely correct: there is no salvation outside of Christ, and there is no salvation outside His Body, the Catholic Church.

That has been the constant teaching of the Church.

If you are saved, it is ONLY through Christ and His Body.

 

[yuzurusan]

Thank you everyone for your answers! Really, Thank you all so much! The Bible verses that Trishie shared seem to be helpful on this topic.

Remember that God sees the mind and the heart.
Remember Matthew 25 verses 31-46,
and note what the Pope said recently
catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=51077

and also Thank you a lot Fred, for sharing this information.

I think the approach to the question should be different.

One time Jesus told one of his apostles to do something. One of the other apostles sort of demanded of Jesus to know why he wasn’t coming with them and sort of what is he up to? It was then that Jesus said in so many words that “its none of your buisness”. If I want him to do that and you to do something else, then it isn’t your affair to decide if this is ok. Just do what you are told to do and don’t worry about what others are doing.

I think it is much of the same situation in this matter. Its none of our buisness how God handles other people or what he does. What he tells us to do is important and we should follow that and leave the other matters in Jesus’ hands. Others can always use our help with our prayers, but knowing what is going on is not helping anyone and may go contrary to our trust in Jesus handling the affair quite nicely without our nosey questions about his ability.

I think we have a lot to take care of what God’s will is in our own life without trying to direct traffic in other’s.

Just pray for them, this is what Jesus wants of us, and then we too must do what he wants.

Just a thought.

and also thank you autumnmoon. but I don’t exactly understand all of what you said, but I think I get the basic idea.

That’s your opinion but as I have had to take the time to check this out. you are either not up with the times or you are just stuck in an untruth.
Second Edition
Catechism Catholic Church
Promulgated by Pope Paul II
page 235
#818
Wounds to unity
However one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities { that resulted from such separation} and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ , and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect ans affection as brothers. All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated onto Christ they therefore have the right to be called Christians and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by THE CHILDREN OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

#819
Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found out side the visible confines of the Catholic Church the written Word of God the life of grace, faith, hope and charity with other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as visible elements. Christ Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as a means of salvation whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to Him and are in themselves calls to Catholic unity.
… … … …
Heaven is not sectioned off. And no where in the Bible does it say that. God wants unity and peace. And all the bickering and fighting to end and take the love of God to a sick and dieing world and be a light to the world through us instead of what I have seen in all churches their clicks, gossip, shunning, not speaking. making it harder for those that do embrace God’s work of salvation trying to over come all mean spiritness and hold on to these souls when they come to the church before they are driven away by people that have taken their eyes off Jesus Christ and replaced it with seeds of discontent and that is not of God but the devils work. I have seen this happen so much and done to me. And People that do this will answer to God for these acts. The Pope embraces and loves people. When We stand before God what will hold in our hands{our lives} hold out to Him ? Did we bring people to Him or drive them away. The word Christianity the very word has been divided,torn to pieces, and it is even harder for to minister the word because how people was treated when they came trusting the first time. The Church needs to wake up before its too late and reach out in healing love. Are we being Christ are just lulled into going through the motion? Peace be with you.::
.

And I think that when I saw that quote from Padre Pio written on something in my house yesterday, maybe God had wanted me to see it. Thank you all so much for your answers. I’m sorry if I’ve said anything rude in any of my posts, as I was getting really upset. But I feel better now. I think I am going to try to strengthen my relationship with God. Thank you all so much!