do you have to be Catholic to get into Heaven??

[distracted]

I heard something on Catholic Answers Radio years ago concerning this…

I can’t remember who said it but he was a guest on the show and he said that all Christians will be Catholic before they get into Heaven. If the person is a protestant and dies in a state of grace, he will go to Purgatory and then will learn that the Roman Catholic Church was the One Church… founded by Christ and will then have to, in Purgatory… well, to paraphrase his words… he will have to become Catholic…

i totally belive this.

so why are we not working harder to make everyone Catholic??

true, we can’t make anyone Catholic any more than we can make everyone Republican (Too bad, huh??)

but there are many things we can do…

and it seems we aren’t doing them… seems we Catholics don’t want to make too many more Catholics… (genearlly speakign)

 

[nlm]

The answer to your question is no.Catholics will not be the only ones in heaven.Christians of many denominations who have confessed their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will be together in heaven one day.Why? Because Jesus promised and that is good enough for me.We don’t need big words or complicated explanations.It all boils down to this promise.You can find this promise in the Bible. God Bless NLM

 

[cheese_sdc]

Not only will you find Protestants in heaven, you’ll also find atheists, pagans, buddhists, Taoists, Animists, Wiccans, Pantheists, Muslims, Druids, etc.

 

[Guyonthestreet]

Not only will you find Protestants in heaven, you’ll also find atheists, pagans, buddhists, Taoists, Animists, Wiccans, Pantheists, Muslims, Druids, etc.

According to the catechism of the catholic church - that is the correct answer.

 

[Religio71]

if any non-Christian is saved, it is through Jesus Christ only and not the power of any other [non-existent] deities.

 

[TheQuestioner]

Unless you are part of the body of Christ you cannot get into heaven. As the Church IS the body of Christ one must become part of the Church in order to go into heaven. If this is not done in this life it can be done in the next. Also lets not forget baptism by desire. As such yes, if one is not Catholic in this life they will be in the next if they are to be in heaven. One cannot be in heaven and still be a protestant, jew, muslim, hindu, taoist, buddhist or other. They will become Catholic beforehand. They MUST.

 

[Lancer]

The answer to your question is no.Catholics will not be the only ones in heaven.Christians of many denominations who have confessed their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be together in heaven one day.Why? Because Jesus promised and that is good enough for me.We don’t need big words or complicated explanations.It all boils down to this promise.You can find this promise in the Bible. God Bless NLM

If you believe that** NLM is an infallible Christian** in all matters of faith and morals…then you might want to consider his “version” of how to attain salvation.

If however you believe that NLM is a fallible Christian like the rest of us…you might want to rely on an infallible source in all matters of faith and morals…on how to attain salvation.

The only one guaranteed that infallibility is…the Catholic Church…with the Pope as the successor to Peter…the visible head/Vicar of Christ on Earth…and all its bishops in communion with him as the successors to The Twelve…it’s your call.

But…if you were in Las Vegas making a bet on the house odds…for guaranteed salvation…whose version of salvation do you think Vegas would give the best odds on as far as being correct about how to attain salvation? NLM’s or the Catholic Church’s?

Pax Christi
Catholic for 66 years; Protestant for 0 years!

 

[Timbothefiveth]

Because Jesus promised and that is good enough for me.

Where did he promise that all christians will get to Heaven? He actually said some wouldn’t.

Not only will you find Protestants in heaven, you’ll also find atheists, pagans, buddhists, Taoists, Animists, Wiccans, Pantheists, Muslims, Druids, etc.

According to the catechism of the catholic church - that is the correct answer.

Well technically I think it is. If they never had a chance to even hear about Christ they couldn’t convert.

 

[MelanieAnne]

As long as we’re talking about “old radio shows” ~ something no one can prove or link to ~ I’ll offer my experience.

Years ago, when I was a Protestant (Episcopalian) I heard a Catholic Priest on the radio discussing this subject and he said that if someone had never heard the Gospel, or if they had heard it, but it was explained to them imperfectly, they would have another chance “on the other side” to hear it and either accept or reject. I’m paraphrasing, because after all these years I do not remember the exact words, much less the name of the Priest, but that was the concept he presented.

Now, years later, I am a Catholic myself. I have never examined this question deeply since that change, but I can say that this sort of scenario comports quite well with the sort of things we were taught during our time before confirmation. And it makes sense to me, much more so than the Calvinist sort of thinking where “if you don’t believe the same as they do you’re going to hell”. That sort of exclusionary thinking does not make sense to me in terms of the God I have come to know, whereas allowing for ignorance, or imperfection, makes complete sense in consideration of a gracious and loving God.

 

[curtisbratcher]

While it is true that non-christians on your list can obtain heaven, the preferable way to go is via the Catholic Church. If you read the catechism, to paraphrase, if you are true to your belief system, then God will take you to heaven. When Jesus died on the cross, He redeemed all of mankind for all time. I believe that the “catch” is that you must be true to what you believe.
If you want to be “true” to your belief system, then you should be apart of a religion that has a standard that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. Other religions and christian denominations are based on personal interpretation of scripture. How do you know if your interpretation is God’s will?
I am so thankful that the “standard” of the Catholic Church is a rule of life that I can base my eternal life on.
The other problem with trying to depend or trust in other belief systems is that God’s has provided us with the Catholic church. When you put your trust in what “you” prefer, you are saying that your belief is more important. Didn’t Jesus say that you must deny yourself?
The christian faith as revealed in the Catholic church, provides mankind with a belief system that enables you to become completely absorbed in Jesus Christ. In order for you to become completely absorbed in Jesus Christ, you must give yourself completely to Him. Being part of a belief system that is estranged from God’s Church means that you are holding on to what you want to believe in. Worshiping God requires one to surrender all of your heart and soul to God. Trying to worship your concept of what you think is deity, when God has revealed Himself in the man Jesus Christ and the Church that He gave us, is defying God. How can you completely surrender to God when you define the terms of that relationship?

 

[nlm]

Unless you are part of the body of Christ you cannot get into heaven. As the Church IS the body of Christ one must become part of the Church in order to go into heaven. If this is not done in this life it can be done in the next. Also lets not forget baptism by desire. As such yes, if one is not Catholic in this life they will be in the next if they are to be in heaven. One cannot be in heaven and still be a protestant, jew, muslim, hindu, taoist, buddhist or other. They will become Catholic beforehand. They MUST.

How sad that you would choose to group christians who ARE Christ followers and non christians together in your statement.Jesus said," I am THE way,THE truth and THE life. NO ONE can come to the Father EXCEPT TROUGH ME." John 14:6-7 He did not go on to say and must be a member of the Roman Catholic Church. NLM

 

[nlm]

If you believe that** NLM is an infallible Christian** in all matters of faith and morals…then you might want to consider his “version” of how to attain salvation.

If however you believe that NLM is a fallible Christian like the rest of us…you might want to rely on an infallible source in all matters of faith and morals…on how to attain salvation.

The only one guaranteed that infallibility is…the Catholic Church…with the Pope as the successor to Peter…the visible head/Vicar of Christ on Earth…and all its bishops in communion with him as the successors to The Twelve…it’s your call.

But…if you were in Las Vegas making a bet on the house odds…for guaranteed salvation…whose version of salvation do you think Vegas would give the best odds on as far as being correct about how to attain salvation? NLM’s or the Catholic Church’s?

Pax Christi
Catholic for 66 years; Protestant for 0 years!

I am FAR from being infalliable my friend but what I DO know is what Jesus says in the Bible in John 14:6-7 " I am THE way, THE truth and THE life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through me". This seems VERY clear to me. I do not need anyone to interpret what Jesus is saying here.If you are going to bring Vegas into this I will place my bet on this word of God.NLM

 

[Departed_Light]

Lancer said in part:

The only one guaranteed that infallibility is…the Catholic Church

Where is the guarantee that the Catholic Church would be or is infallible?

Thank you,
d.l.

 

[distracted]

The answer to your question is no.Catholics will not be the only ones in heaven.Christians of many denominations who have confessed their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will be together in heaven one day.Why? Because Jesus promised and that is good enough for me.We don’t need big words or complicated explanations.It all boils down to this promise.You can find this promise in the Bible. God Bless NLM

i never said they wouldnt make it…

just that they have to become Catholic (in Purgatory if not here on EArth) in order to get There…

 

[distracted]

Not only will you find Protestants in heaven, you’ll also find atheists, pagans, buddhists, Taoists, Animists, Wiccans, Pantheists, Muslims, Druids, etc.

i don’t know where you heard this, but its a lie from the devil…

the only way they will make it is if they give up all those false systems and accept Jesus Christ… and do what he says to do…

 

[distracted]

According to the catechism of the catholic church - that is the correct answer.

I’m a catechized, dyed-in-the-wool Catholic who has studied history of the Church and the teachings of the Church…

and this is NOT true…

the catechism does not say that just anyone can get into Heaven…

you have to accept Christ (with all your heart and soul) and do what he says to get into Heaven…

Jesus is God…

Buddha was not… Luther was not…

Mohommad was not…

Jesus is the Word Incarnate… and His Sacrifice is the only thing that can save us (applying it to our lives, that is)

 

[distracted]

Unless you are part of the body of Christ you cannot get into heaven. As the Church IS the body of Christ one must become part of the Church in order to go into heaven. If this is not done in this life it can be done in the next. Also lets not forget baptism by desire. As such yes, if one is not Catholic in this life they will be in the next if they are to be in heaven. One cannot be in heaven and still be a protestant, jew, muslim, hindu, taoist, buddhist or other. They will become Catholic beforehand. They MUST.

thank you…

 

[distracted]

If you believe that** NLM is an infallible Christian** in all matters of faith and morals…then you might want to consider his “version” of how to attain salvation.

If however you believe that NLM is a fallible Christian like the rest of us…you might want to rely on an infallible source in all matters of faith and morals…on how to attain salvation.

The only one guaranteed that infallibility is…the Catholic Church…with the Pope as the successor to Peter…the visible head/Vicar of Christ on Earth…and all its bishops in communion with him as the successors to The Twelve…it’s your call.

But…if you were in Las Vegas making a bet on the house odds…for guaranteed salvation…whose version of salvation do you think Vegas would give the best odds on as far as being correct about how to attain salvation? NLM’s or the Catholic Church’s?

Pax Christi
Catholic for 66 years; Protestant for 0 years!

yes but how do you convince people that the Church is infallible…? esp anti-Cathlics who have their mind kinda closed… or somethings very closed… like a steel trap??

 

[distracted]

Where did he promise that all christians will get to Heaven? He actually said some wouldn’t.

.

today’s readings address this (posted in Non-C reliigons & Sacred Scripture) …

5 wise virgins and 5 foolish ones…

the word Virgin would seem to indicate that all 10 were in some way Christians (?) and yet they all didn’t make it… (this is my interpretation, not necessarily the Church’s?)

anyway, why else would he use the word Virgin?

but anyway, the foolish ones didn’t have oil, which seems to represent the Holy Spirit… and i believe the RCC would agree since She uses oil in rituals to bless things & people… .

anyway, the oil (my interpretation) is complete holiness… not just the holiness of those who, like the virgins, think holiness is “good”, & once in awhile may even try to attain it… but never really do what is necessary to attain it… It is not easy for human beings to do absolutely everything Jesus wants… If you read the Scriptures every day (or have them read to you at Mass, which is WAY better)… you begin to see this…

Please everyone, go to Mass as often as possible. The Word of God is very powerful and will help you get to God (Heaven).

**It is NOT easy to get There… Jesus told us this… **

 

[Becks]

Because I can’t answer this question as it pertains to anyone but me (not being able to judge their hearts and all that), I’ll answer as it pertains to me: Yes, I have to be Catholic to get myself into heaven.

I know what the Catholic Church teaches. I know that She is the Church of Christ. If I were to reject her or believe anything else I can state for a fact that I would not make it into heaven.