Maybe it is my background in Protestantism, but most people I know who are against hell think that it is God punishing people for all eternity or that people are choosing to be tortured. The former comes more from resistance to Calvinist teachings on hell, not Catholic teachings on it, and the latter is a strawman.
Good question – trying to find this myself. I did find this statement from the Second Council of Constantinople:
To be honest, however, the meaning of this passage is not entirely clear to me. Understood one way, it seems to me that it could be anathematizing anyone who believes in ALL of the statements spelled out in the sentence rather than any single one, based on the use of the word “and” rather than “or.” But I could very well be missing something.
I believe this part of the reason Christ gave us a Church and not just a Bible. He knew we would always be able to reach an agreement as individuals. Moreover, it really doesn’t change anything whether we all agree or not – either Hell is eternal or it isn’t; whether we accept that or not changes nothing.
So do Christians. We live ours under the influence of a loving God, who wishes us to have eternal life.
If an angel can look right at God and reject Him to His face – the face of the Beatific Vision – and refuse to serve Him, we humans certainly can as well. You don’t think the angels knew the price of their defiance?
I’m glad you asked. This will help clear up the confusion you seem to be having, regarding this question.
I am, because I understand the Church’s teaching on this matter.
Immaterial to the question. I hope you see that, now.
Except a lot of people don’t really have that perspective of hell, and I haven’t seen it come up much among Catholics. As far as I know, it is more Evangelical in nature. The more common thing I’ve heard is that the torment of it comes from the separation from God, from Whom all good things come, and in the absence of that good - health, love, joy, etc. - there can only be torment. There’s even the idea of hell being “locked on the inside”, in that God wants people to come be with Him, but even in the midst of the torment of hell, they still resist.
The Old Colonel is experiencing no confusion on the matter. But he’s still awaiting a response not so lacking in substance. You do realize that you’re merely supporting your claims by making even more claims?
At least among the Evangelicals I was raised among, hell is basically entirely punishment.
Really, he is. Perhaps you might inform him of it.
Not quite sure I can help you, if you can’t see the distinction between “universalism” and “the hope of salvation for individuals”.
No. I’m pointing out the difference between two topics. If you feel that the two are identical, please explain why you believe that to be the case. The Church has clearly spoken on both notions, and as distinction notions, to boot. Are you asking for a citation to Church documents on salvation?
That is precisely not the issue in question, as @ProdglArchitect points out, as well.
Indeed. Please excuse my blatant and reckless obtusity. But tell me. What specifically in Catholic doctrine forbids one to hold an opinion or otherwise speculate that, in the end, God might very well save every last human being who ever lived?