Things I don't understand about catholicism

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Why do Catholics pray to saints,there is nothing about it in the scripture(Atleast KJV) as far as I am aware?

Also what exactly is purgatory and is it referenced in the scripture?
 
Hopefully, these will help:

catholic.com/tracts/praying-to-the-saints
catholic.com/tracts/purgatory

You can also do a forum search for these topics, since they have been discussed many times before. 🙂
One thing I still don’t understand after reading that. Does that mean one can have full faith in Jesus Christ, be Baptised, and Have repented and still not be saved if they commited to much sin?
If so that idea conflicts with what Jimmy Akin said here: catholic.com/video/what-do-catholics-believe-about-salvation

Note:I am not at all trying to devalue Catholic Doctrines but rather exploring to possibly convert in the future because of some thoughts.
 
One thing I still don’t understand after reading that. Does that mean one can have full faith in Jesus Christ, be Baptised, and Have repented and still not be saved if they commited to much sin?
If so that idea conflicts with what Jimmy Akin said here: catholic.com/video/what-do-catholics-believe-about-salvation

Note:I am not at all trying to devalue Catholic Doctrines but rather exploring to possibly convert in the future because of some thoughts.
I think Jimmy Akin explained it rather well.
 
One thing I still don’t understand after reading that. Does that mean one can have full faith in Jesus Christ, be Baptised, and Have repented and still not be saved if they commited to much sin?
If so that idea conflicts with what Jimmy Akin said here: catholic.com/video/what-do-catholics-believe-about-salvation

Note:I am not at all trying to devalue Catholic Doctrines but rather exploring to possibly convert in the future because of some thoughts.
Are you referring specifically to the belief in Purgatory when you ask, “Does that mean one can have full faith in Jesus Christ, be Baptised, and Have repented and still not be saved if they commited too much sin?” If so, I think you’re misunderstanding what Purgatory is all about. Going to Purgatory is not the same thing as not being saved. People who wind up in Purgatory are eventually going to Heaven. Purgatory is a place of purification, not condemnation like Hell. Purgatory is to remove the effects of sin on our souls. Here’s an example that I heard once which I think explains it pretty well:

Say you and I are playing baseball my backyard and to prove my batting prowess, I boast that I can hit the ball into my neighbour’s window. To prove my point, I hit the ball through my next door neighbour’s window (sin). The moment the window shatters, I realise that I have done wrong, feel horrible about it, and immediately go to my neighbour to apologise and beg her forgiveness (repentence and confession). Being a kind and understanding woman, my neighbour accepts my apology and forgives my misdeed (or sin, if you will – absolution); however, she isn’t finished talking to me. There’s still the problem of her window. Even though I have apologised and been forgiven, it is still shattered. She continues on to say that although she does forgive me, she would like for me to pay to have it repaired (penance). I give her some money to cover the cost and we part ways. Two days later, she telephones me to say that she’s just received an estimate from a glass repair shop and the cost to repair it is more than the amount I gave her on the day that I broke the window and she needs a little more money. Having just spent my last dime, I tell her that I am now broke and have no more money to give her (death) but perhaps I could come work off the rest of my debt by weeding her garden, raking leaves, or doing other odd jobs she needs done (suffering in purgatory). She agrees to this; however, as I am saying this, my mother overhears me talking on the phone and knowing the situation – my misdeed and that I have spent my last dime – she offers to pay the remaining money to our neighbour on my behalf (prayers for the dead). After my mother sends our neighbour a check for the remainder of the money, I am finally and completely in the clear (attaining purification) and am able to move forward with my life (eternity in heaven).

I hope this helps a little bit!
 
Are you referring specifically to the belief in Purgatory when you ask, “Does that mean one can have full faith in Jesus Christ, be Baptised, and Have repented and still not be saved if they commited too much sin?” If so, I think you’re misunderstanding what Purgatory is all about. Going to Purgatory is not the same thing as not being saved. People who wind up in Purgatory are eventually going to Heaven. Purgatory is a place of purification, not condemnation like Hell. Purgatory is to remove the effects of sin on our souls. Here’s an example that I heard once which I think explains it pretty well:

Say you and I are playing baseball my backyard and to prove my batting prowess, I boast that I can hit the ball into my neighbour’s window. To prove my point, I hit the ball through my next door neighbour’s window (sin). The moment the window shatters, I realise that I have done wrong, feel horrible about it, and immediately go to my neighbour to apologise and beg her forgiveness (repentence and confession). Being a kind and understanding woman, my neighbour accepts my apology and forgives my misdeed (or sin, if you will – absolution); however, she isn’t finished talking to me. There’s still the problem of her window. Even though I have apologised and been forgiven, it is still shattered. She continues on to say that although she does forgive me, she would like for me to pay to have it repaired (penance). I give her some money to cover the cost and we part ways. Two days later, she telephones me to say that she’s just received an estimate from a glass repair shop and the cost to repair it is more than the amount I gave her on the day that I broke the window and she needs a little more money. Having just spent my last dime, I tell her that I am now broke and have no more money to give her (death) but perhaps I could come work off the rest of my debt by weeding her garden, raking leaves, or doing other odd jobs she needs done (suffering in purgatory). She agrees to this; however, as I am saying this, my mother overhears me talking on the phone and knowing the situation – my misdeed and that I have spent my last dime – she offers to pay the remaining money to our neighbour on my behalf (prayers for the dead). After my mother sends our neighbour a check for the remainder of the money, I am finally and completely in the clear (attaining purification) and am able to move forward with my life (eternity in heaven).

I hope this helps a little bit!
Hmm,when I grew up I was told Catholics believed it was a place for everyone to be judged based on merit,from Osama Bin Laden to the pope,
This is intriguing learning this now.
 
Hmm,when I grew up I was told Catholics believed it was a place for everyone to be judged based on merit,from Osama Bin Laden to the pope,
This is intriguing learning this now.
Both Purgatory and Heaven mean you have been saved. You simply need some purification prior to going into Heaven. You cannot go to Hell from Purgatory.
Everyone is judged on the state of their soul at death and those in a state of mortal sin go immediately to Hell and those in a state of grace are immediately saved (either straight to Heaven or more likely Purgatory first for purification).
 
Both Purgatory and Heaven mean you have been saved. You simply need some purification prior to going into Heaven. You cannot go to Hell from Purgatory.
Everyone is judged on the state of their soul at death and those in a state of mortal sin go immediately to Hell and those in a state of grace are immediately saved (either straight to Heaven or more likely Purgatory first for purification).
But can we as sinful humans ourselves judge who will wind up where?
 
But can we as sinful humans ourselves judge who will wind up where?
No. Only God knows who ends up where.
However, we can say with certainty that if we die in a state of grace we are saved and if we die in a state of mortal sin we go to Hell but nobody knows in advance what state their soul will be in at death.
 
No. Only God knows who ends up where.
However, we can say with certainty that if we die in a state of grace we are saved and if we die in a state of mortal sin we go to Hell but nobody knows in advance what state their soul will be in at death.
So the idea held by fundamentalists, that you only need to "accept Jesus as personal Savior " by saying a prayer, is totally off the charts?:hmmm:
 
So the idea held by fundamentalists, that you only need to "accept Jesus as personal Savior " by saying a prayer, is totally off the charts?:hmmm:
Generally speaking, yes. However, if that is all they know, and they commit their lives to Christ with repentence and fervor to live his commandments and follow his teachings, it is possible that they have received “baptism of desire” which is salvific. God alone sees their heart and God alone will judge them for their sincerity and lack of any other knowledge to convict them.
 
Both Purgatory and Heaven mean you have been saved. You simply need some purification prior to going into Heaven. You cannot go to Hell from Purgatory.
Everyone is judged on the state of their soul at death and those in a state of mortal sin go immediately to Hell and those in a state of grace are immediately saved (either straight to Heaven or more likely Purgatory first for purification).
But can we as sinful humans ourselves judge who will wind up where?
No. Only God knows who ends up where.
However, we can say with certainty that if we die in a state of grace we are saved and if we die in a state of mortal sin we go to Hell but nobody knows in advance what state their soul will be in at death.
Just want to interject a note of caution here…in saying that we cannot know where someone will end up this does NOT mean that we as Catholic do not believe in an “assurance” of salvation. That is - we can be reasonably sure that we will go to heaven IF we hold to the criteria spelled out in Scripture.
What we do not believe in is the sort of “guarantee” that is put forth by OSAS theology. In other words we do not believe in “dropping our guard” - but rather being ever watchful of our soul.

Peace
James
 
Are you referring specifically to the belief in Purgatory when you ask, “Does that mean one can have full faith in Jesus Christ, be Baptised, and Have repented and still not be saved if they commited too much sin?” If so, I think you’re misunderstanding what Purgatory is all about. Going to Purgatory is not the same thing as not being saved. People who wind up in Purgatory are eventually going to Heaven. Purgatory is a place of purification, not condemnation like Hell. Purgatory is to remove the effects of sin on our souls. Here’s an example that I heard once which I think explains it pretty well:

Say you and I are playing baseball my backyard and to prove my batting prowess, I boast that I can hit the ball into my neighbour’s window. To prove my point, I hit the ball through my next door neighbour’s window (sin). The moment the window shatters, I realise that I have done wrong, feel horrible about it, and immediately go to my neighbour to apologise and beg her forgiveness (repentence and confession). Being a kind and understanding woman, my neighbour accepts my apology and forgives my misdeed (or sin, if you will – absolution); however, she isn’t finished talking to me. There’s still the problem of her window. Even though I have apologised and been forgiven, it is still shattered. She continues on to say that although she does forgive me, she would like for me to pay to have it repaired (penance). I give her some money to cover the cost and we part ways. Two days later, she telephones me to say that she’s just received an estimate from a glass repair shop and the cost to repair it is more than the amount I gave her on the day that I broke the window and she needs a little more money. Having just spent my last dime, I tell her that I am now broke and have no more money to give her (death) but perhaps I could come work off the rest of my debt by weeding her garden, raking leaves, or doing other odd jobs she needs done (suffering in purgatory). She agrees to this; however, as I am saying this, my mother overhears me talking on the phone and knowing the situation – my misdeed and that I have spent my last dime – she offers to pay the remaining money to our neighbour on my behalf (prayers for the dead). After my mother sends our neighbour a check for the remainder of the money, I am finally and completely in the clear (attaining purification) and am able to move forward with my life (eternity in heaven).

I hope this helps a little bit!
WOW - I LOVE that analogy.

Peace
James
 
Both Purgatory and Heaven mean you have been saved. You simply need some purification prior to going into Heaven. You cannot go to Hell from Purgatory.
Everyone is judged on the state of their soul at death and those in a state of mortal sin go immediately to Hell and those in a state of grace are immediately saved (either straight to Heaven or more likely Purgatory first for purification).
I describe Purgatory as God’s front porch. You’ll get into Heaven, but you need to wipe your shoes off first. That other analogy is much better, though
 
NFPGirl - your analogy does not take into account that the debt for our sins* has been fully paid by Christ on the cross.*

In real life, we have to make restitution. However, in your analogy, the payment for the window is the payment for the sin. We no not pay for the sin - Christ did. Penance is not payment. Christ’s payment is sufficient for the debt of the sin.

So, in your analogy, your father (Christ) paid fully for the broken window for you.

Purgatory seems to simply be the place that we are made clean enough to enter heaven. Okay.
 
Also what exactly is purgatory and is it referenced in the scripture?
Welcome, Tx3Bro.🙂

While scripture does not (to the best of my knowledge) provide a clear definition of the word “purgatory” (I don’t believe the actual word itself is in the Bible), the CC’s understanding of it is indeed referenced through scriptural passages (there are several that support this), some of which refer to a “cleansing”; cleansing through fire.

This website offers such scriptural references socrates58.blogspot.com/2008/02/biblical-evidence-for-purgatory.html:, for example:

Isaiah 1:25-26
Revelation 21:27 But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practises abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Malachi 3:2-4

Matthew 5:22

Luke 12:58-59

And these particular passages are probably the best ones that demonstrate there exists an intermediate state after death (which is neither heaven nor hell). (Bolding mine)
[on 1 Peter 3:19-20]: These spirits in prison, to whom Christ went to preach after his death, were not in heaven, nor yet in the hell of the damned; because heaven is no prison, and Christ did not go to preach to the damned . . . In this prison souls would not be detained unless they were indebted to divine justice, nor would salvation be preached to them unless they were in a state that was capable of receiving salvation. [23]
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble - each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and **under **the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hope this helps.
 
No. Only God knows who ends up where.
However, we can say with certainty that if we die in a state of grace we are saved and if we die in a state of mortal sin we go to Hell but nobody knows in advance what state their soul will be in at death.
Yeah, although it’s funny how everyone these days assumes that everyone they know who just died went to heaven when in fact we should be so lucky to even go to purgatory. I just pray that these people continue to pray for their deceased loved ones instead of assuming they went to heaven and everything’s great.
 
Hmm,when I grew up I was told Catholics believed it was a place for everyone to be judged based on merit,from Osama Bin Laden to the pope,
This is intriguing learning this now.
Have fun learning, as they say, it’s always good to get information straight from the horses mouth.

I like the baseball analogy, but I think of it very simply. The first thing to understand with purgatory is the importance and value of suffering.

Suffering is not a ‘bad’, it can be frustrating and unmotivating if not understood as valuable and important.

Sometimes it is evident that some people through the suffering they go through on earth are getting purified or starting the process a bit early. My dad has major health and memory problems. He is going through a bit of purgatory on earth as well as my mom who is the caretaker.

Something you never see in retirement plan video’s is reality, it’s not always travel and enjoyment, but life’s purpose is not for our enjoyment. Though it is nice when days are good.

Take care,
 
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