That is what we entrust to God. The key phrase is “through no fault of their own” and the other key phrase " would have chosen Christ had they known of Him".
Yes we can. Only Catholics will be in heaven. If you weren’t when you died you sure will be after you see the beatific vision. Would you be suggesting that Protestants would be in a lesser type of heaven?we cannot say with absolute certainty that ONLY Catholics will be in heaven…no, we really can’t. I think it’s rather dangerous to start looking at our Christian brothers and sisters who may be living Christ filled lives, and telling them they will not see heaven, unless they convert to Catholicism. There are many levels of heaven…maybe Catholics will have the penthouse, but…
Kidding aside, Jesus was specific that no one goes to the Father except through Him. I think that for those who do not understand our faith, or have refused to accept it…I’m not sure what might happen…we can speculate. But, again–God’s mercy is more than we can give, or fathom. It has no limits.
why bother practicing christianity at all then, if all one must do is be kind and nice to others? if works are all that matter?
Bingo. Actually, if we are practicing Christians…we will be doing the above freely and joyfully.
OK, say for whatever reason, you died and were not Catholic. God judges your heart and you are cleansed (prepared) through purgation. Now you are ready to see God in the beatific vision. At this point you will be part of His church and one body.
The immediate [knowledge](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm) of [God](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm) which the [angelic spirits](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm) and the [souls](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm) of the just enjoy in [Heaven](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm). It is called "vision" to distinguish it from the mediate [knowledge](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm) of [God](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm) which the [human mind](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10321a.htm) may attain in the present life. And since in beholding [God](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm) face to face the created [intelligence](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08066a.htm) finds perfect [happiness](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07131b.htm), the vision is termed "beatific". For further explanation of the subject, see [HEAVEN](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm).You better believe He does! He left us one CHURCH, not a bunch of CHURCHES. Of course He wants us all to know and follow the Truth He left with His only True Church - why in the world would anyone ever think He would want anything else?
Who is condemning others?
so, you believe all non believers will be sent to Purgatory?
I don’t believe that is the true definition of Purgatory.God put us in charge of the world, and lets us run it how we want to. Because He has given us this authority over the world, He doesn’t step in to change our decisions, even at times when He thinks we aren’t making the best possible choices.
No - That is not what I meant. We know that if you make it to purgatory you will attain heaven. So for most of us imperfect sinners will either be in hell, or purgatory then heaven.so, you believe all non believers will be sent to Purgatory?
Yes, Jesus said I will build My Church, not my churches, so it would be better to belong to the Divine one, instead of the man made one’s.
the fact that evil exists in the world is normally ascribed to the absence of god in the affairs of men (and women). it is the result of humans not doing god’s will.
If a person dies in a state of grace, albeit an imperfect sinner as you are saying, that person’s soul could experience purgatory. But, not all souls will experience it…some souls will go immediately to heaven, upon receiving judgement. Some will not.
I never claimed that. But it is true outside the Church their is no salvation. The Church is necessary even if we are unsure how it happens.
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘how it happens.’ Through God’s grace, we have the ability to embrace the salvation that comes from a relationship with Christ. If we had no relationship with Christ (let’s say, we purposely choose this, I’m not speaking of people who have never been shown the teachings of Christ), then we are exercising our free will, to not choose Him. God doesn’t force us against our wills to accept Him…to have a relationship with His Son. I am confused by what you mean by ‘unsure of how it happens.’ It implies that even if we discarded a relationship with Christ in this lifetime, that God will repair that in the afterlife. God’s mercy will prevail – we know this – no matter what. But, it is up to us, through our free will, to embrace God’s graces in this lifetime, and to embrace salvation, through Jesus’ death on the cross.
yes,the church with the fullness of the truth,i believe (notice,I believe, not a catholic teaching) that he tolerates the rest of them for a few reasons, were born into this mess,and the word…repentance…