Does Catholicism say who will go to hell and who won't? Protestantism certainly does.
While all admit it's up to God and we can't be sure, Protestants are sure on one thing: non-Christians go to hell.
I heard Catholicism doesn't say this. I even read that although hell is real, it's possible that everyone only enters purgatory and some Catholics sincerely hope that's the case.
Is this true?
I was brought a Protestant Christian with only one certainty in life: If my Hindu neighbor- who gives to charity and treats their neighbors better than we treat them- rejects Christ he?s going to hell no matter what. If these Catholic responses are true, then I?m seriously going to re-evaluate what I thought Christianity is.
Catholicism teaches a false gospel of works that leads to eternal hell (Galatians 1:6-9), so you want to avoid it.
The only way to go to heaven and not eternal hell is by believing that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Protestants believe salvation comes only through Jesus Christ...Catholics believe it only comes through the Catholic church. Purgatory does not exist, you make your choice on earth and live with that choice for all of eternity.
No , The Catholic Church does not presume who will and who wont go to heaven or hell. We leave that up to God. Being He is the only judge and is the only one that knows the hearts of people
Buy your own words you make yourself the fool Chris
The only way to go to heaven and not eternal hell is by believing that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again.
Since when do Catholics not believe that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again. your statement is idiotic you can do better than that cant you
Purgatory is where those go who have been judged worthy of heaven to remove he dross of sin and purify them. Of course we are assured that those in purgatory will be in heaven and have the same hope as they for salvation.
Hans Urs Von Bathasar, a Catholic Theologian wrote a book on the possibility of all people may be saved by Christ and thus no person would ever go to hell. And this would include those who go to purgatory, all of whom eventually make it to heaven. I have not read his book, but know that his point was that we cannot know who goes to hell and who does not. And also that Christ's sacrifice is the power of God and therefore has infinite merit.
This theory is not official teaching and I don't believe it will ever be taught officially (my opinion). Still, it may be true that all make it to heaven. I don't think most protestant leaders teach we know who can go to hell and who cannot, accept maybe some of those who believe in a type of predestination such as Calvin taught. As a Catholic, I do believe that Catholic teaching is more accurate, but I wouldn't be so harsh as to say "Protestants are sure non-Christians go to hell". There are many who do not believe that and I mean quite a few. You don't hear of the more liberal type of Protestant thought, but there are many church's who think far more leniently than that this.
There are Catholic teachings that helps clarify that not being Catholic or Christian does not disqualify you from heaven. And limbo was never official Catholic teaching. Protestants vary on this topic quite a bit.
I don't know if I helped much. I want to add too that I also share you relief in hearing about purgatory. It is actually comforting to think that although one may be sinful and imperfect, you can still go through purgatory and make it to heaven. This teaching helps keep the topic of salvation from looking simply black and white.
I agree with Thom1274's last paragraph regarding salvation and the Catholic church. ( I also agree with the rest his answer).
The Catholic church believes in hell but has never defined who is there. The only thing the Catholic church has ever defined, in those terms, are who is in heaven, aka canonized saints. Beyond that the church is silent on the issue.
It's certainly possible that everyone goes to purgatory, which is a place of purification before you go to heaven, given God's infinite justice and mercy.
I did read a catholic approved book on purgatory once, however, and it is a place one would want to avoid at all costs. It described it as a place much like hell, but the difference being that there is hope, whereas in hell there is none.
In response to one of the answers above. The church does say that there is no salvation outside the catholic church, but that does not mean you have to be a member of it to be saved. It just means that if you are saved, it will be through the church a.k.a. the Mystical Body of Christ. So for example, a Muslim could be saved through the Mystical Body of Christ.
+ About Non-Catholic Christian Churches: Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.
Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and occlusion communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.
All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.
+ About Judaism: "The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews "belong the son ship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ"; "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
+ About Islam: The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day.
+ About other non-Christian religions: All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city.
For more information, see:
+ Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the church to Non-Christian Religions: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
+ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 819 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819
Does Catholicism say who will go to hell and who won't? Protestantism certainly does.
