If someone claims a heavenly figure can speak to them, what does it take for you to believe it?

[confused_one]

My question is: If someone claims God or any other heavenly figure can speak to them, what does it take before we can believe it is true?

When I say “speaks to them” I mean directly communicates, and not speaking through events that one later interprets to be a message.

Does the Church try to validate such claims? Do they use psychological tests?

On a personal level, what would it take for you to believe your neighbour or any other person if they came up to you and told you God spoke to them.

What if they told you an angel gave them a message, the same way Gabriel gave Mary a message?

What if that message was to kill their children, the same way God commanded Abraham to kill Isaac?

What if they tried to warn you of a mass extinction, like God warned Noah of the flood?

What is the best way to respect God’s wishes, keeping in mind that (based on the bible) these things CAN happen?

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

My question is: If someone claims God or any other heavenly figure can speak to them, what does it take before we can believe it is true?

When I say “speaks to them” I mean directly communicates, and not speaking through events that one later interprets to be a message.

Does the Church try to validate such claims? Do they use psychological tests?

On a personal level, what would it take for you to believe your neighbour or any other person if they came up to you and told you God spoke to them.

What if they told you an angel gave them a message, the same way Gabriel gave Mary a message?

What if that message was to kill their children, the same way God commanded Abraham to kill Isaac?

What if they tried to warn you of a mass extinction, like God warned Noah of the flood?

What is the best way to respect God’s wishes, keeping in mind that (based on the bible) these things CAN happen?

I would believe when the Bishop says it’s true. Refer this person to his priest. If the neighbor isn’t Catholic he’s probably talking to the devil. Juan Diego had a hard time convincing Bishop Zumaraga.

 

[DexUK]

Revelations such as this are mostly considered ‘private’ by the Church to the extent that they would even be considered at all.

It is rare that revelations will be accepted by the church unless they are to several individuals at once (i.e. Fatima) and only then if they are in concert with the doctrines of the Church.

As far as I know, we are all free to accept or not any revelation of this type, approved or unapproved, provided we act in accordance with what we’re normally taught by Holy Mother Church .

As for an individual such as you suggest, if their ‘revelation’ was that they should kill their children, then I would be involving the local social and protective services IMMEDIATELY as, far from being any sign of divine revelation, this is much MUCH more likely to be the sign of a desperately sick mind, since God no longer requires sacrifices to him, be they children or adults. All that was ended with the New Covenant, which was signed in Christ’s blood as a once and for all thing.

 

[odile53]

Working in a hospital, that has a psychiatric emergency room, I have heard of many people who did something tragic on the basis of this is what God told them to do. If a neighbor told me that God, or another heavenly figure, told them to do something (especially if it sounded like an odd thing to do,) I would encourage them to seek the advice of their priest. If it sounded like God was telling them to do something dangerous or tragic, I’d call crisis services.

Probably not the most theologically correct response, but we had a woman who killed her three children in the misguided belief that she was saving their souls. She was clearly psychotic and is now in an institution for the criminally insane.

Some mentally ill people experience auditory hallucinations which can, to them, seem as real as someone actually talking to them. Religious overtones, especially of a denigrating character, are frequent subjects of these hallucinations. They have nothing to do with true religious devotion, and are a manifestation of a mental illness. The people who experience them deserve our prayers, and the best psychologic care that can be provided.

Yes, the Catholic Church, when it becomes aware of claims of divine communication, investigates these claims, and nowadays they do use psychologic testing. That is why private revelations are clearly identified as such, and no one is required to believe them. The Biblical events to which you refer occurred in the Old Testament. Even animal sacrifice among the Jews ended with the destruction of the temple. The mission of Christ signified an end to general revelation on this earth. There is no more revelation that is necessary for salvation, and none will be forthcoming. You can check this out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church for verification.

If you note the approved apparitions of Mary (i.e., Fatima and Lourdes,) they in no wise encourage believers to do something bizarre, dangerous, or in conflict with the laws of God. Those apparitions seem to be a plain example of “by their fruits you will know them.” Our Lord Himself warned us of false prophets, and following the suggestions of “a voice” led some great saints to seek direction in discerning whether the voice was really of God or from something else.

 

[confused_one]

Thanks for your responses. No need to worry guys, I don’t know anyone who makes these claims. They were purely theoretical. If there’s anyone else who would like to answer my original question, please go ahead. I would like to hear your personal opinions on this!

 

[odile53]

Phew! I’m relieved! I thought that maybe you did know someone who was hearing the voice of God telling them to do something scary!

 

[anodos]

It seems to me that miracles must be involved to have the apparition approved as well, and even then, its considered a private revelation that is worthy of belief but is not required to be believed. Divine visions are binding only on the person who receives them. (Even then, there may be psychological tests involved to see if the vision is really divine or if it has a medical explanation…) Sorry, maybe that just added to the muddle.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

My question is: If someone claims God or any other heavenly figure can speak to them, what does it take before we can believe it is true?

When I say “speaks to them” I mean directly communicates, and not speaking through events that one later interprets to be a message.

Does the Church try to validate such claims? Do they use psychological tests?

On a personal level, what would it take for you to believe your neighbour or any other person if they came up to you and told you God spoke to them.

What if they told you an angel gave them a message, the same way Gabriel gave Mary a message?

What if that message was to kill their children, the same way God commanded Abraham to kill Isaac?

What if they tried to warn you of a mass extinction, like God warned Noah of the flood?

What is the best way to respect God’s wishes, keeping in mind that (based on the bible) these things CAN happen?

Is according to the Gospel, is it approved by the Pope, does it lead to sanctity, does that give a message according to the Gospel, attracts the FAtithful for very long periods of time, the seer leads a saintly life?