Is almost everyone in Hell?

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Adamski

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After reading the bible multiple times and the cathechism it really seems almost everyone goes to hell does that seem right?
 
We do not know who is in hell or who is not; it’s not any of our business. Our main goal in life is to get ourselves to heaven and hopefully, take as many of our fellow human beings with us.
 
adamski asks : "After reading the Bible multiple times and the Cathechism
it really seems almost everyone goes to Hell
does that seem right?"

I am not sure what your question is:
  1. Does it seem right that almost everyone goes to Hell? or
  2. You think that the Bible and Catechism suggest that everyone goes to Hell?
My answer is the same either way, but they are very different issues.
I believe that most people do NOT go to Hell.
And, I believe that the Bible and Catechism do NOT suggest the everyone-goes-to-Hell theory either.

I believe that many of us sinners are sent to a period of time in Purgatory, then, eventually, progress to a Life in Heaven.

I guess I think that about two-thirds of the Dead have the option to purge their Sins in Purgatory.
But, I don’t care what the percentage is.
That’s a Holy Mystery.
I mostly care about myself (and the people I know), and if WE will make it to Heaven one day.
That stuff is up to Jesus Christ to decide … He is the Judge of Mankind.

I really like what Catholic1954 said, and I read it after I was done : "We do not know who is in hell or who is not;
it’s not any of our business.
Our main goal in life is to get ourselves to Heaven
and hopefully, take as many of our fellow human beings with us."
Amen.
 
Adamski said:
After reading the bible multiple times and the cathechism it really seems almost everyone goes to hell does that seem right?
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Not exactly… We can’t judge people properly, so we haven’t the faintest idea of what happens to any of the dead souls. All we know is that we can pray for them, and hope they made it for Purgatory or Heaven.

It’s basically what George Cardinal Pell said in his debate with Dawkins - “We Catholics generally believe there is a Hell; I hope nobody’s there.” 👍
 
Adamski said:
After reading the bible multiple times and the cathechism it really seems almost everyone goes to hell does that seem right?
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Not sure about “almost everyone”.

Hell exists, and is a place of spiritual and physical torment.

Hell is not “empty”.

Scripture and Tradition both state that “many” will be in Hell. However, “many” does not equate to “almost everyone”, though there are some Saints who have expressed this viewpoint. It is a tradition, but it is not a Church dogma.

If we consider that God wills that “all” be saved (1 Tim 2: 4), then “many” may be a relative concept.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume that God creates only 100 people.

If 30 of them are lost and end up in Hell, would that still not be “many” to a God who loves us and wishes us all to be saved?

It’s worth noting that when Jesus was asked this question (“shall only a few be saved?”) He didn’t answer with a number. Instead, He pointed out that it’s easy to get to Hell, and that therefore, we should make every effort to steer clear (“strive to enter through the narrow door.”)
 
If most people go to hell, then Jesus failed in his great sacrifice. I don’t see Him as a failure. He will give us every chance and more to be with Him. I believe that the way is indeed narrow, but I have faith in a loving God that knows His created through and through and will use every iota of His mercy to excuse our stupid culpability.
All through the Gospels we are taught of His mercy; forgiving seven times seventy; forgiving the good thief (talk about being at the right place at the right time!) the lost lamb; the prodigal son; the woman caught in adultery. And yet we are taught most of us won’t get to heaven? There is a discordance to the message somewhere.
That is why I don’t believe Jesus is failing. For we know the Church will prevail and He will return in glory. Bit of an underplay if on His triumphant return he only has a couple of dozen on the right and the rest of the billions of souls throughout history among the goats. Can’t see it as much of a triumph! Don’t even believe it.
So I cry out every day ceaselessly for His forgiveness and His Mercy and cunningly rely on the intercession of His Holy Mother Mary for my soul. And do you know? I am no longer afraid.
 
Petaro said:
If most people go to hell, then Jesus failed in his great sacrifice. I don’t see Him as a failure. He will give us every chance and more to be with Him. I believe that the way is indeed narrow, but I have faith in a loving God that knows His created through and through and will use every iota of His mercy to excuse our stupid culpability.
All through the Gospels we are taught of His mercy; forgiving seven times seventy; forgiving the good thief (talk about being at the right place at the right time!) the lost lamb; the prodigal son; the woman caught in adultery. And yet we are taught most of us won’t get to heaven? There is a discordance to the message somewhere.
That is why I don’t believe Jesus is failing. For we know the Church will prevail and He will return in glory. Bit of an underplay if on His triumphant return he only has a couple of dozen on the right and the rest of the billions of souls throughout history among the goats. Can’t see it as much of a triumph! Don’t even believe it.
So I cry out every day ceaselessly for His forgiveness and His Mercy and cunningly rely on the intercession of His Holy Mother Mary for my soul. And do you know? I am no longer afraid.
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👍

Great post. I’d also add an observation from von Balthasar: those who casually affirm that most of us go to Hell (I’m not talking about Saints whose mission was to warn and admonish us; I’m talking about ordinary people like us) often fail to consider the possibility of their being in it. 😛
 
Theologian Peter Kreeft once remarked that the statements of Jesus that seem to indicate that many or most people are not saved could be understood this way: no matter how many children a parent has, he cannot bear to lose any of them. The loss of even one child is too many. God is the ultimate parent–even the loss of one soul is too many.
 
My answer is “No,” but as a new Catholic, I have a question:

Do people believe that hell is really a “place,” a physical location in the universe, or rather (as I tend to think) a state of existence of a soul that is in the absence of God, rather than in the presence of God (Heaven)? :confused:
 
Dear OP,
I agree with one of the posters, God does not WILL that
any should perish, but it is up to US where we will
spend eternity!
Scott Hahns once remarked that it is BECAUSE of
the greatness and intensity of God’s LOVE that
hell is reasonable!(See Song of Solomon 8:6)
However, I would warn everyone to keep from
sexual immorality, that is the sure way to hell!
(Prov 5:5)
 
Most of the Church Fathers have taught that most souls go to hell, so have many saints; so I believe that few souls are saved. Reflect on Jesus’ words when asked the question about the saved. He said that FEW find and enter the narrow way that leads to eternal life – He did not say that many do. I’m afraid that most people enter the broad way that leads to destruction – people are falling into hell like snowflakes, says certain Saints. Still there will be MANY souls in heaven at the end of the word – *Jesus’ Passion and death was not in vain, at all; so don’t believe anybody who says that His Passion and death could ever be in vain, even if most souls end up in hell. * God bless you.
 
The Franciscans (Duns Scotus, IIRC) believed that no one is in Hell. It’s why the deceiver keeps changing tactics.

Live as if this is not true; hope as if it is.
 
captainrick said:
My answer is “No,” but as a new Catholic, I have a question:

Do people believe that hell is really a “place,” a physical location in the universe, or rather (as I tend to think) a state of existence of a soul that is in the absence of God, rather than in the presence of God (Heaven)? :confused:
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We are bound to believe in Hell. It doesn’t matter if its a place, a state, or both because its still eternal separation from God.
 
captainrick said:
My answer is “No,” but as a new Catholic, I have a question:

Do people believe that hell is really a “place,” a physical location in the universe, or rather (as I tend to think) a state of existence of a soul that is in the absence of God, rather than in the presence of God (Heaven)? :confused:
Click to expand...
I believe that it was St. Thomas Aquinas who taught that hell is both a place and state of being. Hell is a place very reasonably thought to be located in the earth’s fiery center/core and the state of one’s soul in hell is utter abandonment, hopelessness, misery and pain. Please do not be deceived into thinking that hell is not a place but only a state of being because they Church has traditionally taught that it is a place we go to in punishment for un-repented mortal sins. God bless you.
 
Your concept of “hell” is not in conforming with the Catholic Church.

God has given us the 10 Commandments and if as Catholics we follow these, we will not go to hell.

If you are at the age of reason, you know what is right and what is wrong.

If you follow God’s rules you can be assured of getting to heaven, maybe, Purgatory first, for the cleansing of our sins.

Do you know even if you go to Confession, your sins are forgiven, but the punishment due to them are not forgiven and this is why we have Purgatory.

Remember, God gives a free will and intellect, and it is you who choses to go to heaven or hell–God does not, it is up to you where you will be.

May God bless you
 
Luigi_Daniele said:
The Franciscans (Duns Scotus, IIRC) believed that no one is in Hell. It’s why the deceiver keeps changing tactics.

Live as if this is not true; hope as if it is.
Click to expand...
If the Franciscans (Duns Scotus, IIRC) are correct (which they aren’t) then that means that all rapists, mass murderers, pedophiles, calumniators, persecutors of Holy Mother Church, etc. go to heaven and that not one of them who dies in mortal sin loses their immortal soul. God bless you.
 
ready said:
If the Franciscans (Duns Scotus, IIRC) are correct (which they aren’t) then that means that all rapists, mass murderers, pedophiles, calumniators, persecutors of Holy Mother Church, etc. go to heaven and that not one of them who dies in mortal sin loses their immortal soul. God bless you.
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And?

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Again, I tend to believe Scotus, but I live as if I do not. 😉
 
Luigi_Daniele said:
And?

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Again, I tend to believe Scotus, but I live as if I do not. 😉
Click to expand...
If you don’t live it then you really don’t believe it. Something about actions speak …

Your still our teammate though. We won’t throw you off the team…yet. 😛

May God’s face shine on you.
 
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