What happened to "Hell"?

[k5thbeatle]

I have a good friend who is a protestant that I frequently engage in conversation regarding questions he has on Catholicism. He’s a good guy and I think, secretly considering converting to Catholicism. He lives in another state.

Recently he was asking me about our (Catholics) views and treatment of Hell. It was based on a recent sermon he heard at his church service that was on Hell. He asked me how our priests talked and taught about Hell? I answered as best as I could.

It kind of dawned on me a bit later that I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I heard a homily that dealt with the reality of Hell? Why, I thought? On one hand I can kind of see not dwelling on a negative and all but isn’t knowledge and occasional mention of a truth and harsh reality sometimes healthy too?

I noted that a nearby Protestant church that we go by on the way to the grocery store recently had the following on their outdoor message board (I can’t recall verbatim so I’m paraphrasing somewhat): “This week’s sermon: Hell is a choice, so choose wisely!” Then as if by coincidence I was looking for what channel the ball game was on the other day and noted that one of the Protestant channels was featuring a discussion on Hell?!

Obviosuly protestants are discussing Hell and its realities and consequences but I honestly and sincerely can NOT remember the last time I heard a homily on this subject in our Church. Please don’t misunderstand, it’s mention (rarely) but never do I hear it discussed at length as our Protestant friends seem to do.

I don’t think I am likely alone in this perception (???) but would like to know why this seems to be the case that we as Catholics and more importantly our priests seem to avoid openly discussing Hell?

 

[MaryT777]

You make an interesting point. I’ve never heard a sermon on hell in a Catholic Church and I’ve been a long time Catholic. I wonder if this is taught in Catechism classes for upper grades. I have heard it said Jesus said more about Hell than about heaven.

I’ll be interested to hear the thoughts of others as to why this is so.

I follow the message boards also on a local Protestant Church nearby also when they had as such and one hot summer they had “…and you think it’ hot HERE” followed by come in and hear our salvation message.

Mary.

 

[Errham]

Hell has been something of a touchy subject amongst theologians in the past few decades. Exacerbating the issue is the problem that the Catechism only touches very briefly on the subject and not very clearly. This is probably, however, specifically because of the recent controversy, not despite it.

Most “modern” theologians don’t really consider hell to be a fire-and-brimstone place of physical torture and pain, as is the image portrayed by most fundamentalist\evangelical Protestants. Rather, they view it primarily as a place of eternal separation from God, which, once you become fully aware of God, is essentially eternal torment in and of itself. This is the point that the Catechism primarily tries to convey when it touches on the subject of Hell, although probably because that’s really the only thing people agree on about it nowadays.

 

[Blessedwithfive]

I have been teaching CCD for close to twenty years and never had a class on hell. Once I taught a class to teens on reconciliation and discussed mortal and venal sins, hell came up and I was told not to discuss it.

As a note, my daughters both went to conservative Protestant colleges and religion was required. They both came back quoting Dante and Paradise Lost. Interesting conversations for our whole family.

Also, my spell check keeps auto correcting hell. Like it isn’t a word! That should say something…

 

[phil19034]

Well… I think there are a few things going on here:

1. the difference between a Homily vs a Sermon. Protestant ministers give sermons. Catholic priests give Homilies. Some priests or bishops had a “sermon like part” to their Homily, but most of the time they stick to a homily that ties back to the readings of that mass.
2. some priests (though not enough) do schedule sermons outside of mass as part of a holy hour, etc. but this doesn’t happen nearly enough.
3. some child faith formation still have some of that “God is good, Kumbaya” approach left in them. So for what ever reason, some don’t like CCD teachers teaching about hell and would rather focus on Jesus and Heaven.
4. orthodox priests will teach about Hell one on one or in small groups. For example, my pastor has discussed hell a bit during our Bible Studies.
5. finally, I don’t think we have much public revelation re the true nature of hell, that than its an eternal separation from God. There are plenty of private revelations, but sometimes private revelation can hard to literally interpret.

God Bless

 

[1ke]

I don’t think I am likely alone in this perception (???) but would like to know why this seems to be the case that we as Catholics and more importantly our priests seem to avoid openly discussing Hell?

You cannot extrapolate from “I don’t often hear about Hell in my parish” to “we Catholics”.

My pastor regularly talks about hell in his homilies.

 

[SnowAngels]

I have a good friend who is a protestant that I frequently engage in conversation regarding questions he has on Catholicism. He’s a good guy and I think, secretly considering converting to Catholicism. He lives in another state.

Recently he was asking me about our (Catholics) views and treatment of Hell. It was based on a recent sermon he heard at his church service that was on Hell. He asked me how our priests talked and taught about Hell? I answered as best as I could.

It kind of dawned on me a bit later that I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I heard a homily that dealt with the reality of Hell? Why, I thought? On one hand I can kind of see not dwelling on a negative and all but isn’t knowledge and occasional mention of a truth and harsh reality sometimes healthy too?

I noted that a nearby Protestant church that we go by on the way to the grocery store recently had the following on their outdoor message board (I can’t recall verbatim so I’m paraphrasing somewhat): “This week’s sermon: Hell is a choice, so choose wisely!” Then as if by coincidence I was looking for what channel the ball game was on the other day and noted that one of the Protestant channels was featuring a discussion on Hell?!

Obviosuly protestants are discussing Hell and its realities and consequences but I honestly and sincerely can NOT remember the last time I heard a homily on this subject in our Church. Please don’t misunderstand, it’s mention (rarely) but never do I hear it discussed at length as our Protestant friends seem to do.

I don’t think I am likely alone in this perception (???) but would like to know why this seems to be the case that we as Catholics and more importantly our priests seem to avoid openly discussing Hell?

We used to have a very traditional priest at our parish and he preached about Hell frequently. Other than him, I’ve never heard a priest mention it.

Blessedwithfive mentioned teaching Hell in CCD. Our CCD curriculum touched upon it so we’ve always discussed it (with the consent of the priest, of course!).

 

[Igypop83]

I noticed that too. It’s because most priests either simply don’t believe in hell any more or they are afraid of how people might react. What I also noticed is that while in older song-books hell is mentioned in newer ones you won’t find it any more. I live in Austria and in our german version on Aquin’s “Lauda Sion” there is one verse left out. Namely the one that talks about damnation of the wicked:

Sumunt boni, sumunt mali:
Sorte tamen inæquáli,
Vitæ vel intéritus.
Mors est malis, vita bonis:
Vide paris sumptiónis
Quam sit dispar éxitus.

Both the wicked and the good
Eat of this celestial Food:
But with ends how opposite!
Here 't is life: and there 't is death:
The same, yet issuing to each
In a difference infinite.

In my opinion this behaviour is close to heresy and this is why I’m usually trying to attend only masses at FSSP parishes.

 

[Igypop83]

I have been teaching CCD for close to twenty years and never had a class on hell. Once I taught a class to teens on reconciliation and discussed mortal and venal sins, hell came up and I was told not to discuss it.

May I ask, who told you that?

 

[TimothyH]

I choose not to focus on Hell. Paul didn’t focus on Hell either but had great trust that if he persevered to the end he would win the crown of glory and be with Jesus.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

A runner does not focus on loosing the race. A runner trains to win. Hell is real and there is always a chance that we won’t finish the race but a winner keeps his eye on the prize. An athlete does not focus on losing.

-Tim-

 

[1ke]

I have been teaching CCD for close to twenty years and never had a class on hell.

Hell is in every textbook I’ve ever used, and I’ve been teaching CCD about the same amount of time. What books are you using? Are you being asked to skip sections that talk about hell, or are you saying that your book doesn’t have any discussion of hell?

Once I taught a class to teens on reconciliation and discussed mortal and venal sins, hell came up and I was told not to discuss it.

Told by whom?

 

[Memaw]

You cannot extrapolate from “I don’t often hear about Hell in my parish” to “we Catholics”.

My pastor regularly talks about hell in his homilies.

Our’s too and about Confession? I taught CCD for over (From the early 70’s to the 90’s) 20 years and in the day school also in 4 different Catholic Churches! and I taught about Hell, no one ever told me not to. !!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[CruceSignati]

IMHO, Hell has to be talked/taught about. Otherwise, you will end up believing the heresy of Universalism (the teaching that “all men are saved”). To many people, and indeed many Catholics, Hell doesn’t seem like a possibility. “We’ll all go on to a better place when we die!”: this has essentially been the teaching that most Catholics have received. But then, why bother to go to Mass? Receive the Sacraments? Do Penance and amend our lives? And we wonder why some parishes are so empty. . .

TimothyH is correct in saying that we shouldn’t focus on the negative, but we still must remember that Hell is real, and there will be souls who are there for all eternity. To avoid it and not talk about it at all is to avoid Our Lord’s own teaching:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46

 

[Antegin]

The lack of discussion about hell may not be so much a negation of hell as an effort to emphasize God’s goodness and how much we should desire never to offend Him. I have never heard from a priest that there is no hell.

 

[zab]

I choose not to focus on Hell. Paul didn’t focus on Hell either but had great trust that if he persevered to the end he would win the crown of glory and be with Jesus.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

**A runner does not focus on loosing the race. A runner trains to win. Hell is real and there is always a chance that we won’t finish the race but a winner keeps his eye on the prize. An athlete does not focus on losing. **

-Tim-

I like this answer. Catholics focus more on preaching the kingdom of God than giving attention to the devil and hell. Yes, Satan in real and hell exists, and sometimes knowlege and fear of hell is what brings people to am imperfect love of God. We should be striving for a perfect love of God, to love Him because He is our creator, because He loved us first.

 

[GEddie]

There is a natural aversion to the subject of Hell, just as there is to the subject of death. Both are hideous.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Memaw]

There is a natural aversion to the subject of Hell, just as there is to the subject of death. Both are hideous.

ICXC NIKA

Both are necessary for obvious reasons. Death has lost its sting with the Death of Christ. Only door to Heaven for us. While we may fear the unknown idea of dying, it is not hideous. I think I am more afraid of HOW I will die than dying itself. I was with both my husbands when they died and I considered it a privilege to be there, (after the grief of loss passed somewhat) I have had so many loved ones die, including 2 babies, my parents, siblings etc. If they can do it, I can do it with Our Lord’s help and the Blessed Mother by my side, (Pray for us NOW and at the HOUR of our death.) I try to replace fear with HOPE and TRUST. Jesus I trust in Thee. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Igypop83]

Can you guys give me an example of one song usen in mass, where hell is at least mentioned? In my country (Austria) there is none!

 

[TimothyH]

Can you guys give me an example of one song usen in mass, where hell is at least mentioned? In my country (Austria) there is none!

I don’t have titles off hand but there are plenty of hymns where Hell is mentioned. All of them talk about Jesus saving us from Hell, Jesus smashing the gates of Hell, Hell becoming afraid when Jesus rose from the dead, and so forth.

These are songs of praise, joy and victory. Many are sung at funerals.

-Tim-

 

[Igypop83]

But in no one you are told that there is a possibility get lost.

Another question. What is it like in USA? There must be some translation of “lauda sion”. Is the verse about hell, left out like in our country or not? If yes, how would you explain it?