Why do so many people care if Judas is in Hell?

[Marc_Anthony]

The number of posts on the subject baffles me. God is judging, not us. We should pray that his soul is in Heaven. God has judged him, it no longer matters to us. Why the fascination with the idea that a human being may be burning in Hell forever?

 

[johnnyjones]

Jesus preached hell, and sternly. Your right that we shouldn’t want to see someone there but a doctrine that is taught so seriously must be discussed. I’m not so sur people “care” that Judas is in hell but they are seeking an answers about redemption to “lost souls”.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Jesus preached hell, and sternly. Your right that we shouldn’t want to see someone there but a doctrine that is taught so seriously must be discussed. I’m not so sur people “care” that Judas is in hell but they are seeking an answers about redemption to “lost souls”.

But we already know that the Church has made no definitive teaching on the subject. There’s no point in speculating. And yet people do it. Why the fascination?

When did I ever say anything about the importance of preaching Hell? It is important to be aware of Hell. I just don’t get the fascination with speculating on individual souls. We don’t know. We should be thanking God that it’s not our job to judge, so why do we keep trying? Leave the state of individual souls to God.

 

[johnnyjones]

But we already know that the Church has made no definitive teaching on the subject. There’s no point in speculating. And yet people do it. Why the fascination?

When did I ever say anything about the importance of preaching Hell? It is important to be aware of Hell. I just don’t get the fascination with speculating on individual souls. We don’t know. We should be thanking God that it’s not our job to judge, so why do we keep trying? Leave the state of individual souls to God.

The fact that the chuch has made no definitive statement may add to the “chasing around” of the subject. Human nature wants to “know what happened”. Thats why a car accident slows down traffic even after the debris is cleared. You didn’t say anything about the importance of Hell. My point was that it is such a tough concept to swallow that it opens the door for all kinds of discussion including what souls go to this place.

 

[pete_29]

Because if Judas isn’t in hell, there might be hope for me.

 

[Delaine75]

But we already know that the Church has made no definitive teaching on the subject.

Well, some people don’t know this. We cannot assume that everyone knows this.

You’re right, God is the judge, not us, and only He knows where Judas is. I guess it’s just a question that people ask out of curiosity to see what others think and the reasons behind why they think as they do about it.

 

[Angelsflight]

My thoughts on Judas? He sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. A dark soul would stroll away with the money and not look back. Judas gave it back in anguish. He killed himself because he felt so horribly about it.

That sounds repentant to me. Granted killing himself is a mortal sin…but… If I had betrayed Jesus, I would have probably killed myself too. I would not have been able to live with myself.

God only knows where Judas is. But perhaps he deserves a little forgiveness.

Just a thought.

 

[User124]

The number of posts on the subject baffles me. God is judging, not us. We should pray that his soul is in Heaven. God has judged him, it no longer matters to us. Why the fascination with the idea that a human being may be burning in Hell forever?

Judas is not blamed for betraying Jesus, he is blamed for killing himself and not repenting, unlike Peter, anyway maybe Judas was a part of God’s plan?

 

[pete_29]

When I was a wee lad, old Fr. Schoen used to teach us that maybe in that last second before he died, Judas may have repented.

 

[mommamaree]

Because if Judas isn’t in hell, there might be hope for me.

This is exactly it, IMHO. We are all like Judas. Jesus knows the many hidden ways we betray him everyday. Judas didn’t understand Jesus’ prediction that He would rise again on the third day. He assumed his betrayal would not be overcome. So he despaired. We are lucky in that we know the rest of the story.

 

[jeannetherese]

Because if Judas isn’t in hell, there might be hope for me.

I think this resonates with many. He repented, he confessed as best he could but what a terrible burden to bear…
Perhaps concern for Judas reflects the empathy people have for others, and their ability to recognize that we all are recovering sinners.
May Our Lord have mercy on us all.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Judas is not blamed for betraying Jesus, he is blamed for killing himself and not repenting, unlike Peter, anyway maybe Judas was a part of God’s plan?

What does this have to do with my original question?

Anyway, all of your answers on the matter are interesting and make sense, but I would still like to see what other people think, out of sheer curiosity if nothing else.

 

[Phaedra777]

Because if Judas isn’t in hell, there might be hope for me.

As others have posted, I think this is it. We all will (possibly) rely on that last nanosecond of Christ’s mercy and so** if **Judas repented and was saved, so can we be when our time comes.

 

[Gods_Peace]

The number of posts on the subject baffles me. God is judging, not us. We should pray that his soul is in Heaven. God has judged him, it no longer matters to us. Why the fascination with the idea that a human being may be burning in Hell forever?

 

[jeannetherese]

We are called to be our brother’s and sister’s keepers. (Cain and Abel) Praying for the salvation of those deceased responds to that call. In Matthew 25:40 we learn that what we do for the least, we do for Our Lord.
It would be terrible to not try to help someone avoid hell.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy. Amen.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

We are called to be our brother’s and sister’s keepers. (Cain and Abel) Praying for the salvation of those deceased responds to that call. In Matthew 25:40 we learn that what we do for the least, we do for Our Lord.
It would be terrible to not try to help someone avoid hell.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy. Amen.

Right, I agree. The Church’s answer to the question, “Is Judas in Hell?” is answered with “We don’t know, pray for his soul in case it’s in Purgatory”. I think that’s an excellent answer and it satisfies me.

But what really gets me wondering is that when the question is answered the thread continues, and with debate! Why is that? Probabilities don’t matter; we don’t know, so we should pray for his soul. Shouldn’t it just end there?

 

[User124]

What does this have to do with my original question?

Anyway, all of your answers on the matter are interesting and make sense, but I would still like to see what other people think, out of sheer curiosity if nothing else.

The number of posts on the subject baffles me. God is judging, not us. We should pray that his soul is in Heaven. God has judged him, it no longer matters to us. Why the fascination with the idea that a human being may be burning in Hell forever?

Some people like to judge to feel better about themselves, Luke 18:9-14:

He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.

"Two men went up into the temple to pray;
one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this:

‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,

‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

[HisIsTheCrown]

The number of posts on the subject baffles me. God is judging, not us. We should pray that his soul is in Heaven. God has judged him, it no longer matters to us. Why the fascination with the idea that a human being may be burning in Hell forever?

Because Jesus said that it would be better that he would not be born (sorry for the English Grammar). Maybe.

 

[bilop]

Right, I agree. The Church’s answer to the question, “Is Judas in Hell?” is answered with “We don’t know, pray for his soul in case it’s in Purgatory”. I think that’s an excellent answer and it satisfies me.

But what really gets me wondering is that when the question is answered the thread continues, and with debate! Why is that? Probabilities don’t matter; we don’t know, so we should pray for his soul. Shouldn’t it just end there?

I would save my prayers for someone else. While we don’t know for certain, Christ’s words are quite definitive.

If I were to pray for Judas, I would feel as if I was praying against God’s justice. I simply pray for the most forgotten soul in Purgatory. If that is Judas, so be it.

God Bless

 

[Angelsflight]

Right, I agree. The Church’s answer to the question, “Is Judas in Hell?” is answered with “We don’t know, pray for his soul in case it’s in Purgatory”. I think that’s an excellent answer and it satisfies me.

But what really gets me wondering is that when the question is answered the thread continues, and with debate! Why is that? Probabilities don’t matter; we don’t know, so we should pray for his soul. Shouldn’t it just end there?

People do like to judge, that is true. I think the church’s answer on this is satisfactory too. But some people are possibly still so angered about this that they would like to see him in hell.

I admit i am guilty of this myself. Not with Judas. I do believe Judas had a real shot at repentance and forgiveness. The one I am angered with still is Hitler. Who probably did not show any remorse or repentance on his deathbed or any other time in his life (I don’t think) , so i admit I do tend to like to think of him as in hell.

Perhaps everyone has that “one person” they cant believe would ever make it to heaven… mine is Hitler.