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

[buffalo]

lol. I hope I’m not coming off too strong, but it’s kind of a good thing that you’re not working on getting everyone to convert to Catholicism. No offense, but I’m a Christian, I know I’m going to Heaven, I will never be Catholic. I don’t have to be Catholic in order to go to Heaven.

From my point of view, Catholics are confused with several things. But that’s just my opinion as a Christian, just as you probably dont agree with the fact that I dont, and never ever will pray to Mary or confess my sins to a priest, it’s totally not necessary.

ANYWAYS, you don’t have to be Catholic to get into Heaven, not once did God mention praying to Mary or confessing sin to a priest in the Bible, so why people do astonishes me. Once again, not trying to be rude, just my opinion.

God Bless.

We ask Mary to intercede on our behalf with her Son. This is a long standing tradition going way back before Christ where queen mother’s interceded.

 

[2nd_Adam]

I always go by Christ’s own description of the Last Judgment:

Notice God does not give people a pop quiz on theology: He pretty much asks them if they helped their fellow man…

Are you saying that we will be in Heaven based on our good works within the context of helping our fellow man?

Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, - Romans 4

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ - Jesus the Christ

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Apostle Paul

 

[buffalo]

Do you believe you can be a staunch Roman Catholic Christian and get to Heaven. A staunch Roman Catholic is one who adhere’s to official Roman Catholic dogmas. If you answer yes, was the Protestant Reformation and error and a waste of time?

The long standing fruits of the Protestant Reformation are ripe with error.

 

[2nd_Adam]

The long standing fruits of the Protestant Reformation are ripe with error.

Please explain your view on Triune Christians who are not members of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to their relatonship with God?

 

[buffalo]

Please explain your view on Triune Christians who are not members of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to their relatonship with God?

They exist in ecclesiastical communities.

They are either invincibly or vincibly ignorant.

All humans are loved by God.

 

[TristanCross]

By the way: The goal isn’t to “get” to heaven. I don’t care about that right now. I just want to glorify God. Don’t try to “get” to heaven…you will fail. He who seeks life finds death.

 

[2nd_Adam]

They exist in ecclesiastical communities.

They are either invincibly or vincibly ignorant.

All humans are loved by God.

If all humans are loved by God, what good is Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him? Do you believe the wrath of God for sin is upon those who do not know God through the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you believe you were a child of the darkness before you knew God through Jesus Christ? Do you believe people from non-Christian religions know God apart from Jesus Christ as their Heavenly Father? Here is a tough Bible passage for those who do not know God through Christ:

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Thes 1

 

[buffalo]

If all humans are loved by God, what good is Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him? Do you believe the wrath of God for sin is upon those who do not know God through the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you believe you were a child of the darkness before you knew God through Jesus Christ? Do you believe people from non-Christian religions know God apart from Jesus Christ as their Heavenly Father? Here is a tough Bible passage for those who do not know God through Christ:

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Thes 1

Are you vincibly ignorant or invincibly? That is the question.

God is all merciful. He is also just. The justice side is key. God gives everyone opportunity to hear Him. He is written into every humans heart. God alone will judge the heart. However, all Christians are called to carry the truth to all corners of the world. It is a testament to our failure that there would be obstinate unbelievers.

 

[distracted]

By the way: The goal isn’t to “get” to heaven. I don’t care about that right now. I just want to glorify God. Don’t try to “get” to heaven…you will fail. He who seeks life finds death.

I’m not sure this is good advice… If you don’t try to get into Heaven, you will probably end up trying to do something that will land you in Hell…

Jesus said that it is difficult to get into Heaven.

it’s also difficult being a devout, practicing Catholic…

hmmmm… coincidence??? :coffeeread:

 

[distracted]

This is very interesting. I thought all true Christians are catholic (universal church) and are united to Christ which is really only known by God. The universal church consists of sinners who have been saved, or are being saved by the person and work of Jesus Christ, in-spite of their particular institutional or denomination affiliation here on earth. I believe the Catechism states that there are true believers from the Orthodox and Protestant branches of Christendom, correct? Heck, Protestants are called your separated brethren.

hurch?

i don’t know why this is so hard to understand…

i never said that non- Catholic couldn’t get to Heaven. I said that they will become Catholic (should have added: OR become MORE Catholic) in purgatory…

In other words there is ONE HOly Church that Christ instituted on Earth… and everyone must pass through… such holiness in order to enter Heaven…

to the extent that others beleive as the Catholic Church teaches, they are “catholic” and therefore eligible for Heaven… though they may have to spend yrs in Purgatory (I’ve heard the avg length of time There is 40 yrs)… to address all in their lives that was “NOT Cathlic”…

If a person believes most of what the Chruch teaches and yet is not offically Catholic… & let’s say he dies believing that he doesn’t, say, have to be kind to his neighbor because he doesn’t happen to like him… In Purgatory, he will be shown the truth about th matter… such as the truth that he is no better than his neighbor (sin-wise) and that, as per St Mt 18:23 just as God forgave him, so should he have (whole-heartedly) forgiven his neighbor…

… of course, Jesus also said that those who do not forgive will not get to Heaven… so maybe this is not the best example…

but say the person was TrYING to forgive…

then he would be accepted into Purgatory… and have to deal with his lack of charity toward his neighbor and whatever other bad effects of sin are still “there”…

i heard (i think it was a saint) say that when a person is in Purgatory, he feels everything his victims felt…

i feel sorry for MY enemies…

 

[distracted]

Do you believe the wrath of God for sin is upon those who do not know God through the Lord Jesus Christ? 1

the wrath of God is on all humans who have sinned… whether they know Jesus or not. The person who knows Jesus is more convicted of his sin (at least i would tend to think so… sometimes i seriously wonder… but that’s another issue)…

in any case, sin is what drags people to Hell… it is not God… You cna’t say a person goes to Hell because God won’t let him into Heaven, that God doesn’t have enough mercy to let him into Heaven or whatever (not saying you said this but some people imply that’s waht we as Catholics believe)… The Catholic Church teaches that God is all-merciful yet He is also all just… There is no conflict there (to God)… A person goes to Hell or Purgatory because of sin…the power of it to destroy. Hell is eternal destruction (death)…

all men are given a conscience so even if a person didn’t know Jesus Christ (hard to find these days…) he is accountable according to what he knows about righ and wrong.

“To whom more is given more is required” and there is another psg about how someone who sins greatly but out of ignorance will receive less “stripes” (Purgatory) than those who KNOW better… (catechized Catholics)

 

[Shredderbeam]

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

Where does it say that?

 

[2nd_Adam]

Are you vincibly ignorant or invincibly? That is the question.

God is all merciful. He is also just. The justice side is key. God gives everyone opportunity to hear Him. He is written into every humans heart. God alone will judge the heart. However, all Christians are called to carry the truth to all corners of the world. It is a testament to our failure that there would be obstinate unbelievers.

I’m just enjoying discussing Christianity with other Christians. I agree God is just and merciful which both attributes are demonstrated at the cross. Through our God given conscience, we know that there is a God and know what He requires of us. So, what will he find in our hearts and fallen humanity? I think the answer is universal for all men for those who do not know God through Jesus Christ. Why does God have to give mankind a new heart?

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. - Rom 3

 

[2nd_Adam]

i don’t know why this is so hard to understand…

i never said that non- Catholic couldn’t get to Heaven. I said that they will become Catholic (should have added: OR become MORE Catholic) in purgatory…

In other words there is ONE HOly Church that Christ instituted on Earth… and everyone must pass through… such holiness in order to enter Heaven…

to the extent that others beleive as the Catholic Church teaches, they are “catholic” and therefore eligible for Heaven… though they may have to spend yrs in Purgatory (I’ve heard the avg length of time There is 40 yrs)… to address all in their lives that was “NOT Cathlic”…

If a person believes most of what the Chruch teaches and yet is not offically Catholic… & let’s say he dies believing that he doesn’t, say, have to be kind to his neighbor because he doesn’t happen to like him… In Purgatory, he will be shown the truth about th matter… such as the truth that he is no better than his neighbor (sin-wise) and that, as per St Mt 18:23 just as God forgave him, so should he have (whole-heartedly) forgiven his neighbor…

… of course, Jesus also said that those who do not forgive will not get to Heaven… so maybe this is not the best example…

but say the person was TrYING to forgive…

then he would be accepted into Purgatory… and have to deal with his lack of charity toward his neighbor and whatever other bad effects of sin are still “there”…

i heard (i think it was a saint) say that when a person is in Purgatory, he feels everything his victims felt…

i feel sorry for MY enemies…

I’m not sure what you believe in what was accomplished at the cross. Do you believe that Jesus actual bore the wrath of God for your sins? Do you believe God is your judge or your Heavenly Father?

 

[Marlowann]

i don’t know why this is so hard to understand…

i never said that non- Catholic couldn’t get to Heaven. I said that they will become Catholic (should have added: OR become MORE Catholic) in purgatory…

If everyone who goes to heaven must first become Catholic, non-Catholics therefore are necessarily unable to go to heaven.

Otherwise, some of those already in heaven could be non-Catholics.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

If everyone who goes to heaven must first become Catholic, non-Catholics therefore are necessarily unable to go to heaven.

Otherwise, some of those already in heaven could be non-Catholics.

I think the issue is more a matter of semantics than anything else. All will be part of the one Body of Christ in heaven. There are no separate ecclesial communities. There is one universal Church. Catholics believe that here on earth, the fullnes of what has been revealed of that universal Church of Jesus Christ is present in the Catholic Church in communion with the successor of Peter. Catholics believe that to lesser degrees other christian church communities share in that. Is it any surprise to find that Catholics believe the Catholic Church as we know her will most closely resemble the One Church of Jesus Christ in heaven? I’m sure that protestants will see the Church in Heaven as being more like the “invisible” protestant church and Orthodox will see it the same way as their respective orthodox churches. However, you slice the question, I think it’s fair to say that there will be no exclusive communions, no separate worship services, no competition for church members. We will all be one as Christ wished it to be in the beginning.

Peace,
Robert

 

[distracted]

I’m not sure what you believe in what was accomplished at the cross. Do you believe that Jesus actual bore the wrath of God for your sins? Do you believe God is your judge or your Heavenly Father?

yes i believe that. What did i say that might indicate o/wise??

i believe God is BOTH judge & Heavenly Father

actually i know that JESUS is judge…

all things have been given to Him…

every knee shall bow to HIM

 

[distracted]

If everyone who goes to heaven must first become Catholic, non-Catholics therefore are necessarily unable to go to heaven.

.

nonCathlics who believe Catholic things (like that Jesus is God, that He died for our sins, that only He can purify us, etc, etc) go to Heaven if they do everything Jesus said… (not as easy as it sounds, by the wya)…

but when they have gotten through what probably will be a long, excrutiating stay in Purgatory they will no longer be “non-Catholic”

It is a lot easier to become Catholic now…

that’s not to say it is easy being a devout, true Catholic. It is very difficult in a world that is so ANTI- Catholic & un-Catholic and pagan … :banghead:uch::hypno:

but it is … from everything i have read (& from experienced) much easier than waiting until you die and must go through all that in Purgatory…

some saint said tht if you wait till you die to do your Purgatory it will be like paying
1 millioin $$$ for something you could have gotten for a few pennies…

and i belive that… mostly because of the weird things i have EXPERIENCED rather than read about… (i have suffered terribly from my the consequences of my sins but the longer i stay faithful to Christ through pryaing rosaries, Masses, etc… the better things get… although, of course, again, it is very difficult to be a practicing Catholic…that is always the case, no matter how much purgation you go through…)

 

[distracted]

I think the issue is more a matter of semantics than anything else. All will be part of the one Body of Christ in heaven. There are no separate ecclesial communities. There is one universal Church. Catholics believe that here on earth, the fullnes of what has been revealed of that universal Church of Jesus Christ is present in the Catholic Church in communion with the successor of Peter. Catholics believe that to lesser degrees other christian church communities share in that. Is it any surprise to find that Catholics believe the Catholic Church as we know her will most closely resemble the One Church of Jesus Christ in heaven? I’m sure that protestants will see the Church in Heaven as being more like the “invisible” protestant church and Orthodox will see it the same way as their respective orthodox churches. However, you slice the question, I think it’s fair to say that there will be no exclusive communions, no separate worship services, no competition for church members. We will all be one as Christ wished it to be in the beginning.

Peace,
Robert

Protestants will not, in Heaven, see the Church as anything but what Christ made (makes?) it to be (The Church on Earth is an on-going “project” as it were. Obviously, in Heavne it will be perfect… meaning fully and wholly Catholic)…

Protestants who make it There will see things through their newly-acquired (through Purgatory) Catholic eyes…

by** Catholic** i mean… don’t know how exactly to say it but… but there is a Spirit of Catholicism as one writer said… It is the Spirit of Christ (the Real Presence)…

One will know Christ (and himself & other things…) better after having spent much time with Him in that Real (tangible) Presence (which is in the Catholic Churches 24/7)… In my opinion, what one goes through @ the RP is what he will go through in Purgatory after death… I would say i KNOW this but i have yet to hear the official Chruch teaching about it. However, I don’t see how this could not agree w/ the RCC teachings… since it stands to reason we would have to be in Christ’s very own powerful Presence for a long time in order to be purified sufficiently as to be able to enter Heaven, where no impure thing will be allowed (Rev 21:27)

i’ve heard that the souls in Purgatory gather around the Tabernacle where Jesus abides… (don’t recall if it was a saint who said this but some reliable devout Catholic person… )

I totally believe this and will not stop beliving it until and unless the pope or some other trustworthy orthodox Catholic person tells me otherwise…

If that is true, then we ourselves are in Purgatory when There. I totally belive this… been There many many times…

 

[distracted]

If you find yourself in heaven it will have been through the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church Jesus Christ founded for that very reason. Everyone in heaven is Catholic.

thank you…

why do you call yourself Buffalo?

just curious…