Where did this idea of Purgatory come from? Christian myth or pagan belief?

Question

Purgatory. Though of pagan origin, the doctrine of purgatory was first conceptualized in the professing church in the second century; the Roman Church proclaimed it as an article of faith in 1439 at the Council of Florence, and it was confirmed by Trent in 1548. The Catholic Church teaches that even those "who die in the state of grace" (i.e., saved and sins forgiven) must still spend an indefinite time being purged/purified (i.e., expiated of sins/cleansed for heaven). (Technically, this "purging" can occur in this life rather than in purgatory itself, but as a practical matter, purgatory is the best the average Catholic can hope for.)

Some Catholics will admit that the doctrine of purgatory is not based on the Bible, but on Catholic tradition (which, by Catholic standards, is equally authoritative) (cf. Jn. 5:24; Lk. 23:43; 1 Jn. 1:7,9; Phil. 1:23). (Others teach that it is based upon the interpretation of several Scriptural texts -- 1 Cor. 3:15; 1 Pe. 1:7; 3:19; Matt. 12:31.) They teach that those in purgatory can be helped by the prayers and good works of those on earth (which would include the "purchase" of masses and/or other indulgences), but they are not certain how these prayers and works are applied (cf. 2 Pe. 1:9; Heb. 1:3; Jn. 3:18; 19:30; 2 Cor. 5:6-8).

Answer 1

Christian. Pagans believe in reincarnation.

Happy Solstice! (Don't know when Ramadan starts - sorry!)
)O(

Answer 2

The doctrine of Purgatory comes from the Holy Spirit.

+ Purgatory +

The concept of purgation is only hinted at in the Bible. Here are a couple of places:

"But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire." 1 Cor 3:15

"So that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet 1:7

Are you perfect now? Most people would say no.

Will you be perfect in heaven? Most people believe yes.

Purgatory (or purgation) is the process of God's love changing our imperfect selves on earth into perfect beings in heaven. Depending on the amount of change needed by different people, this can be an easy or slightly harder process. Everyone in purgatory is on his or her way to heaven. I do not think Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a very hard time of it.

+ Sources of Doctrine +

The Catholic Church does not only use Holy Scripture for the basis of doctrine. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

Catholics also believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like
- The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
- Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the ten commandments)
- Which books to include in the New Testament?
- How do our imperfect selves on earth get to be perfect in heaven?

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 3

Because they are intimidated. It's no longer ok for them to slaughter pagans like they did during the witch burnings (this was all done for control). It's kind of frowned upon now...They are losing their following and it scares them, mainly because their beliefs can no longer be forced upon pagans with torture and murder. It's a bloody history the Christians hold. And, they usually fail to realize all of their myths (the bible), holidays and figure heads (including Jesus) are molded after much older pagan stories and traditions. Or, to be a little less subtle, ripped off and bastardized versions of pagan beliefs, and most are just stolen myths and holidays that have only had the names changed. Anyone with any education knows this. Perhaps ignorance is the answer to your question.

Answer 4

It comes from the Jewish writing known as "2 Maccabees" found only in Catholic and Orthodox bibles.

"t is a holy and pious thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sins." 2 Macc.12:46

It is important to note that Purgatory is not necessarily a "place" but a state. God does not allow impurity into Heaven, but since Jesus, in our belief, saves you you from your sin, there must be a refining process. So the "refiner's fire" from Malachi - the period where what you were not meant to be is burned away - is what we call purgatory.

Answer 5

Purgatory is a Catholic teaching used to scare people into doing what is right. It is based on pagan belief. I have known people to pay the church to keep their family member who had died out of Purgatory. It is sad when a person claiming to serve God uses such tactics to deceive others.

That is why so many are confused about death, because the churches have taught them lies.

Answer 6

I believe that purgatory is a Catholic belief. Supposedly it is a place where you wait before you go to either Heaven or Hell.

Weird stuff if you ask me, but I don't believe in purgatory. I believe that when you die, you either go to Heaven right away, or Hell right away, depending on if you were a Christian or not.

Answer 7

Catholic church

Answer 8

i had heard some jews in the bc times believed purgatory they thought everyone gets to hesven if tey repented and had to have their sins removed its like zorastranism they believed all dead had to walk thru a burning pit the good ones would have their sins cleansed while the bad ones would be burnt up

Answer 9

That's one of the many things that separates a catholic from a Biblical Christian.
Purgatory is a myth.

Answer 10

logical necessity for Catholics. sin can't be in heaven, in God's presence. we are all sinful even after we are born again. therefore we have ot be purified after we die to enter into heaven. therefore they believe purgatory, a place where our sinfulness is purged from us so we can go to heaven. for protestants, the blood of Christ covers sins, and when we are resurrected, we are remade with no sinful nature.

Answer 11

It's a mental construct of the Catholic Church and anybody who believes in it, just like the concepts of heaven and hell as they've created it.

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