Do protestants believe Catholics can't go to heaven?

[Valley_Lily]

Something I always wondered. I know the catechism teaches that even those who wholeheartedly follow Christ in a non-Catholic church can be saved, but I was wondering what sort of opinion protestants held in the other direction.

 

[tsering]

I have heard the general statement that there are some in the Catholic Church who are saved…which means heaven. In order for this to happen they must only trust in Christ and not their works for salvation. If they are part of the system of works, instead of faith, they are not really saved…only deceived, because some believe that many of “works” of the Catholic Church are sinful and idolatrous (i.e. praying to Mary, venerating Saints and their images, etc). Or they think that believing works can get you to heaven is a sin whether the works are good or not because works are ineffective to save us and trusting in them somehow slaps Christ in the face, because only His work is perfect for our salvation. Some go to the extreme to believe that the Catholic Church is a huge system in sin and idolatry, much like Israel before their captivity and that it is very possible the Pope will be the anti-Christ and will exalt himself as God. The present situation of the Church can be compared to the division of the 12 tribes. The RCC like Israel became Samaria and set up a false (but similar looking) place of worship, where as the Protestants like Judah maintained the true temple. Basically, many say you can’t serve Christ and idols. There are also theories that because the Church is universally invisible (as opposed to universally visible) God always preserves a remnant…who believe in Sola Fide for salvation. So if you’re a Catholic and you believe what the Catholic Church teaches and follow it (works + faith = salvation), then you can’t be saved.

This is maybe an extreme perspective, but its there for sure. Some other denominations (especially) liturgical may have a different perspective. I’m talking conservative Baptist, non-denominational, fundamental, etc. The guys who come to your door and assume that because your Catholic, you need to get saved and accept Jesus into your heart.

This is not my perspective however.

Peace

 

[nhylan]

I would say that the position of most liturgial churches and certainly the Anglican/TEC sort that Catholics can go to heaven like any other believer. Its pretty hard to say your a member of one holy catholic and apostolic church and say that some members of said church can’t go to heaven.

 

[Publisher]

No…I’m sure there are some out there…but then there are some Catholics out there who feel the same about Protestants…but generally…No.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

…but then there are some Catholics out there who feel the same about Protestants…

True. I used to feel that way. (Of course it was before I was any bit informed about my Faith.)

Many, if not all protestant denominations believe in the same Merciful and Loving God Catholics do. We don’t sit around saying, “Oh, they’re definitely going to hell,” and neither do non-Catholic Christians (I hope.)

 

[shondrea]

Ive only ever had fundamental baptists and Born Again’s tell me I’m not going to heaven. From my experience, most Protestants do believe a Catholic can and will go to heaven, though it’s in spite of our religion and not because of.

 

[rainalaska]

I was raised fundamentalist Baptist. We were “taught” that Catholics were idolatrous sinners who had no chance of reaching heaven. Because they simply were not “saved.” I must say that my parents who are still Baptist now say that some Catholics are saved.

 

[tsering]

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) is a biggy out there in conservative evangelical and fundamental circles. Check out this section of their website to get a dose of what many in those circles are being taught about the Catholic Church.

carm.org/roman-catholicism

Or to answer your question from CARM’s perspective watch this video:

youtube.com/watch?v=f8abGONvwv4

Before you watch, pray. I’m not trying to stir up trouble…but your question is a hard one and I’m trying to answer it truthfully from my own knowledge. I went to a theology school that was in this line of thought.

I’m now on my way to becoming a Catholic and know many who truly believe that many Catholics are saved and going to heaven beyond what their Church leaders want them to believe.

Peace…and I mean it.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

I was raised fundamentalist Baptist. We were “taught” that Catholics were idolatrous sinners who had no chance of reaching heaven.

That’s so hard to believe… I know many of them “don’t like us” but I have never heard of such hateful and anti-gospel rhetoric. I am a cradle Catholic and not once has any fellow Catholic bashed protestants. No wonder so many are away from the Church…

Well,
"Christ said, ‘I am the Truth’; he did not say ‘I am the custom.’" – St. Toribio

 

[tsering]

That’s so hard to believe… I know many of them “don’t like us” but I have never heard of such hateful and anti-gospel rhetoric. I am a cradle Catholic and not once has any fellow Catholic bashed protestants. No wonder so many are away from the Church…

Well,
"Christ said, ‘I am the Truth’; he did not say ‘I am the custom.’" – St. Toribio

It’s not that hard to believe if you look at some of rhetoric of the reformers. There is a division for a reason and I don’t think it was just because of small differences like…I just don’t like the way they worship, etc. The division of the reformers away from the Church was definitely a soteriological issue. Whether Protestants will openly talk like this or not, they are afraid of the Catholic Church and what it teaches. I know this from personal experience with the opposition I’m getting from some I would never have thought would be concerned when I talk of converting to Catholicism. I’ve had to overcome a lot of prejudices that I didn’t even know where they came from to come to where I am now.

 

[Lizziebel]

I grew up in a small Protestant denomination, and never heard any talk of Catholics not being able to go to Heaven.

Hmm…since I found this site, I’ve been seeing here and there threads that talk about the whole faith and/or works thing and their role in salvation.

I think the whole issue of works may tend to get misunderstood. I agree that faith and trust in Jesus is needed for our salvation. But if we truly have faith in Jesus and have trust in Him, will we not also live out our faith and show it in various ways? If we have faith and are followers of Jesus, that is a living, active faith. Loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves is more than a mindset. It’s something we also do (or not) through our everyday actions.

Here are just a few of those actions, and I’m sure people can think of many others:

following the commandments

being baptised

prayer

love our God with all our hearts and minds and strength (e.g., the work of seeking and developing a relationship with God by prayer and reading the Bible and seeking his kingdom and righteousness first, etc.)

making amendments for wrongs we’ve done

witnessing the Good News to others

loving our neighbor as ourselves (e.g., helping out someone in need in tangible ways to provide food, clothing, shelter, or whatever other assistance is needed)

participating in worship

actively opposing an injustice

We’re not “earning our way” into Heaven by doing these things. But I can’t imagine that doing these things wouldn’t help prepare our souls for Heaven by helping us grow in love and charity for God and for each other.

Just a few thoughts on the issue

God bless!

 

[lil_flower_luv]

It’s not that hard to believe if you look at some of rhetoric of the reformers. There is a division for a reason and I don’t think it was just because of small differences like…I just don’t like the way they worship, etc. The division of the reformers away from the Church was definitely a soteriological issue. Whether Protestants will openly talk like this or not, they are afraid of the Catholic Church and what it teaches. I know this from personal experience with the opposition I’m getting from some I would never have thought would be concerned when I talk of converting to Catholicism. I’ve had to overcome a lot of prejudices that I didn’t even know where they came from to come to where I am now.

I’m so sorry you’re having such trouble. And yes, there were a lot of reasons that many split away from the Church (many, grave matters)…I just can’t see how they would let their “fears” of the Church cause them to say such hateful things. It’s one thing to disagree with someone’s religion–a completely different thing to tell others lies about them…aren’t we led by the Way, the Truth, and the Light? I can see how a racist would say hurtful and deceitful things about a different race…but we’re Christians here. We’re better than that!

 

[dnu]

Most Protestant groups (i.e. the majority) elevate the bible up to the status of demi-god and, even though they are committing biblical idolatry, tend to think Catholics are the ones in trouble. The joke is on them

 

[Publisher]

Ive only ever had fundamental baptists and Born Again’s tell me I’m not going to heaven. From my experience, most Protestants do believe a Catholic can and will go to heaven, though it’s in spite of our religion and not because of.

LOL…I think most of us fit the “in spite of…not because of…”…

 

[Loboto-Me]

LOL…I think most of us fit the “in spite of…not because of…”…

I absolutely agree with your statement. I’m hopeful to go to heaven in spite of myself!

 

[AmateurPianist]

Most Protestant groups (i.e. the majority) elevate the bible up to the status of demi-god and, even though they are committing biblical idolatry, tend to think Catholics are the ones in trouble. The joke is on them

Oh really!

Please substantiate this.

You can do this by providing links to major Protestant groups and their statements of faith that prove they elevate the Bible to the status of a demi-god and this are commitikng Biblical idolatry.

Of course you can not do this. You are just blowing hot air.

So this is just one more in a line of really stupid and bigoted statements about Protestants that I have read during my time here. Makes me really want to join the “one true church” considering how well you present your faith here doesn’t it.

 

[ZDHayden]

That’s so hard to believe… I know many of them “don’t like us” but I have never heard of such hateful and anti-gospel rhetoric. I am a cradle Catholic and not once has any fellow Catholic bashed protestants. No wonder so many are away from the Church…

Well,
"Christ said, ‘I am the Truth’; he did not say ‘I am the custom.’" – St. Toribio

It is not so hard to believe, unfortunately. I recently tried to have a discussion, trying to find the source of some Protestant dislike of Catholicism on an Evangelical forum, and of all the participants in the discussion, only two (excluding myself) stated that Catholics are not idolatrous and preach a false Christ and a false Gospel. One was even verbally assaulted for their support of the Church. Unfortunately, reason could not touch the rest, and I felt that it be best to step out of the discussion, else damage any chance of their hearts opening.
I have to agree with you though, I have not met a single Catholic who has expressed hatred towards the non-Catholic sects. I have been impatient sometimes, yes, when I fail to express the Faith in such a way as so they can understand. And I become frustrated when some refuse to listen, but hate? No. They spark concern in me.

 

[dnu]

Oh really!

Please substantiate this.

You can do this by providing links to major Protestant groups and their statements of faith that prove they elevate the Bible to the status of a demi-god and this are commitikng Biblical idolatry.

Of course you can not do this. You are just blowing hot air.

So this is just one more in a line of really stupid and bigoted statements about Protestants that I have read during my time here. Makes me really want to join the “one true church” considering how well you present your faith here doesn’t it.

Just attend your local Protestant service this coming Sunday and listen to how they personify an inanimate object (the Christian library) and elevate it to status of infallible authority. I don’t have to substantiate it for you, your pastors sermon can do it for me

 

[eureka525]

Just attend your local Protestant service this coming Sunday and listen to how they personify an inanimate object (the Christian library) and elevate it to status of infallible authority. I don’t have to substantiate it for you, your pastors sermon can do it for me

That’s a rather broad generalization, don’t you think…?

 

[AmateurPianist]

Just attend your local Protestant service this coming Sunday and listen to how they personify an inanimate object (the Christian library) and elevate it to status of infallible authority. I don’t have to substantiate it for you, your pastors sermon can do it for me

In other words you made a silly and baseless charge that you can not substantiate. Got it.