Any Catholics out there Do you really believe that....?

Question

I'm not trying to disparage your religion but I am wondering if Catholics honestly, truly believe that unbaptised babies and children do not go to heaven. This is the main reason I left the church, and since discovered my true beliefs. Do you truly believe all doctrines, especially this one?

One of the reasons I asked this is because there was an 8yr old girl in our family that died in a auto accident. I remember her Catholic Grandmother crying because she knew she wouldn't get to see her unbaptised Grandaughter in heaven. I didn't really think people actually believed that way. I just wondered if most Catholics do? I can not agree with original sin, its fine if you do, but I can't.

Answer 1

Good question. The Bible says a child is born of sin, I had my children dedicated at birth. The Bible also says the child will not suffer for the sins of the Father. Again it says one must be baptized to enter heaven. I believe in water baptism, lakes and so forth. The book of Acts talks a great deal about baptism. Acts 11:16 says "then remembered I the word of the Lord,how that he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. " Its hard to say but one must take this up with God. Ask him in your prayers for guidance, let him lead you. You cant go wrong there.P.S. I don't believe God would condemn a Child to Hell for any reason. Babies often die at birth, do they go to Hell?

Answer 2

>>>I am wondering if Catholics honestly, truly believe that unbaptised babies and children do not go to heaven. This is the main reason I left the church>>>

You left the Church for a very bad reason, then.

This is going to take a while to explain, so please be patient and please read the whole thing. It's important.

There is nothing, and there never has been anything, in Catholic teaching which specifically says that unbaptized babies do not go to heaven.

For most of its history, the Catholic Church has been silent on the issue of what definitely happens to unbaptized babies and unbaptized young children who die.

Catholic thought has always allowed for the possibility that a spiritual state known as Limbo exists -- Limbo being a state of perpetual happiness for the souls of unbaptized babies and children.

But Limbo has never been a defined doctrine of the Church.

Catholics have always been perfectly free to believe in Limbo.

But we have also been perfectly free to believe -- as I do -- that after death, God allows unbaptized babies and young children some way of deciding for Him or against Him.

I believe that God provides unbaptized children with the means -- whatever they are -- for removing their stain of original sin. If they choose to have it removed, that is.

And I can't imagine any soul of an unbaptized child deciding against God -- which is why I believe they go to Heaven. This thinking is perfectly in line with Catholic teaching on the subject.

This is why -- I don't know if you knew this -- the Catholic Church DOES conduct funeral Masses for babies and young children who die without baptism.

The Church places their souls in the hands of, and at the mercy of, God -- something the Church would not do if it definitely taught that such a child cannot enter Heaven.

So, it's a shame -- no offense -- that you left the Church for such a reason. Because the "reason" for which you left the Church is not true. Not in the slightest.

I suggest you consider returning to the Church -- make an appointment with the pastor at your local parish. Talk to him about your "hang ups" regarding Catholicism, including your misconception of what the Church teaches about the fate of deceased unbaptized babies.

And seriously consider receiving the sacrament of penance/absolution as your first step toward returning to the Church.

God bless you and feel free to PM me if you like.

.

Answer 3

Limbo was something that I learned was real and unbaptised babies and children went there unaware of where they were. I have heard though in recent years that the idea of limbo was not officially approved by the Church. I attended baptism classes for my neices and they talked about when a mother loses a child to miscarriage or if a child dies before they are baptised, there is baptism by blood and baptism by desire. I personally believe that Jesus would not deny a child entering into Heaven, baptised or not.

Answer 4

Let me inform you of some truths.
There are probably more Catholics in hell than atheists.

The Catholics hate Chinese because the Catholic Church in China makes sensible laws. The Rome catholics try to tell the China Catholics what to do. But Beijing spanked the rears of the Vatican hierarchy. The Catholics were trying to carry out lawless activities in China that are against the laws of the land. They even smuggled religious material into China. But, the material is free of charge at any book store, library, or church. China law states it is unlawful to sell material that is not approved by the government. There is catholic hierarchy in the Communist Party in China and the Party Congress made laws that make religion a freedom. But, Catholics want to change China law.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 16:15-16)

For centuries, people have wondered about children who died before they were baptized. The Bible does not explicitly state that they will go to heaven.

Limbo was suggested as the place where unbaptized babies went when they died. This idea was never official Church doctrine and has been rejected.

The Church now says that it is not sure what happens to unbaptized babies when they die but she entrusts them to the mercy of God.

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Pastor Billy says: they are left to God's mercy that is the Catholic belief. Limbo is merely a theory it is not dogma hence Catholics do not have to believe in it. In fact you have to wonder more about non-catholic doctrine such as certain baptists who tell everyone you must be baptised and yet make exceptions for babies? funny how their doctrine isn't consistent isn't it. I've always wondered if non-catholics with the exception of Methodists and Anglicans believe infant baptism isn't valid than why go ahead and replace it with a blessing ceremony? Sounds like a lot of fuss for nothing don't you think . see the link below and check out all the articles on baptism and infant baptism. http://www.catholic.com

addition: have to wonder if Seig Heil is a failing Baptist missionary in China and is jealous of the growth of Catholicism there. Not too late for you to join up with a winner Seig.

go here if you want a more accurate presentation of the church in China http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=47989

China forces bishops to join in illicit ordination
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=47912

“Beijing should learn from Vietnam and be open to religious freedom”
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=7935

contrary to what heir Seig presents the Chinese government is meddling where it has no authority in an attempt to divide the Church. They will ultimately fail.

Answer 7

The simple fact is that mankind needed to be redeemed from Satan, sin, and death by Jesus Christ, due to the lingering effects of original sin.

The effects of that sin continue to this day, and include, among other things, death, a propensity to sin, and a lack of sanctifying grace, without which, one (ordinarily) may not gain entrance to heaven.

Unfortunately, there is no known exemption for babies in this system of things, ( a soul is a soul) so anyone of any age who dies without merit of baptism, dies in a state of original sin, and has no assurance of admittance to heaven.

The only thing we can do in situations like this is trust in the mercy of God, and hope that he might be able to properly and justly deal with these very unfortunate cases.

According to scripture, Jesus is the head of the Catholic Church, and the Holy Spirit is the constant guarantor of the truth of its' doctrines.

The moment someone tries to substitute their own faulty beliefs for the truths of God's church, religion quickly becomes a train wreck, and confusion reigns.

If you left the church over this, you have my sympathy, for no one but God knows what truly happens to the souls of the unbaptized ... whether they be infants, or adults.

.

Answer 8

Limbo.

From wikipedia
Many Roman Catholic theologians believe that unbaptized children, as well as others lacking the use of reason, go to "the limbo of children" (limbus infantium or limbus puerorum) after death. The Church, however, does not teach this concept as doctrine.

Answer 9

No. The Catholic Church teaches (and I believe) that we do not know what happens to unbaptized babies, except that they're entrusted to the mercy of God. So, welcome back to your church!

(Who told you that unbaptized babies "don't go to heaven?")

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=21542

Answer 10

If you've discovered your true belief why challenge others to defend theirs?

My personal belief is....if what you believe works for you, that's all that matters.

Bottom-line.... it's really done of my business.