Question to Roman Catholics?

Question

Now, I'm not a Christian (though my parents are) I'm an atheist.I was going home from school today and saw some people preaching in the street and held up posters saying "If your not a Roman Catholic, you will go to hell" are there any other Catholics that find that statement a bit rude and inappropiate?To me, I think it will just drive people away from Christianity. Whats your view?

I was a bit suprised when I saw that too, from my experience in the Roman Catholic church that my parents used to take me to, they were nice and respected other peoples beliefs.

Answer 1

I am catholic and I have never heard about that. Catholics are no different from baptists, methodist or anybody else. Along time ago there was one religion, Catholic, people split because they didn't believe the body and blood of Jesus was real. We do not worship Mary, we stillworship Jesus. That is very rude. I say you right a letter to the pope or go to http://www.catholiconline.com and ask a friar if they've heard about this.

Answer 2

Yes, indeed it's rude and ignorant. Its like here in Utah where there are 100% mainstream belongs to the LDS church, and stating in every sentence"We are the only true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." Trust me just this ignorant statement of the LDS faithfull makes me go nuts. Why should the other religions than all be untrue? Well, I had a husband who was a devoted Catholic, so we had what you call an ocumenian marriage. I went to his church too, but I never have acknowledged such rude behavior from them.

Answer 3

Yes, that statement is rude, inappropriate, ignorant, and NOT what the Catholic Church teaches.

Quoting from the Catechism of the catholic Church:

"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 ecclesial communities as means of salvation.

To the Jews "belong the sonship, 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."

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

Answer 4

The Catholic Church does not teach that only Catholics will go to heaven.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

+ 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 ecclesial 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 sonship, 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.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 5

I am a Roman Catholic. I apologize for these ignorant Roman Catholics. This is NOT what our church teaches. These people you speak of are doing a great disservice to the rest of us Roman Catholics in particular and Christians in general.

I do not believe that Roman Catholics are the only believers that will go to Heaven. The Bible does not say that you need to believe in Jesus and be a Roman Catholic to go to the Father.

All these doctrines, Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant who believe will go to Heaven. Not because of their religious dogma, but because they believe that Jesus is the savior.

Answer 6

Since the Catholic Church does NOT teach that non-Catholics go to hell, I strongly suspect that these people were not Catholic at all (not in communion with the Successor of Peter), but a break-away group.

Answer 7

I am a christian not a catholic its your faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved not a churches name its just a building, Catholics are a little confuse in there doctrine,because they have this that explains of why they believe in what they believe but it counter dicts the bible alittle. Don't get me wrong the catholics believes in the same faith as christains do. The people that said those things are not really representing the true Catholics anyways. BUT I would really urge you to seek the truth about God your life would never be the same in a good way.

Answer 8

I am a Roman Catholic and I do find that offensive. I believe that we all believe in the same God, but we just have diffrent views about God. But back to your question, that is rude and God loves everybody and they have no right to say if you will go to Heaven or Hell, it depends on what God thinks of your actions... hope this helps.

Answer 9

(John.13:35)"By this all will know that you are my diciples,if you
have love among yourselves." In the (main stream)religions of
Christendom today you cannot find any that agree on doctrine
even in their own churchs.let alone with any other denominations.
The popular (in)thing these day is to pick and choose which of
Christ's laws and commandments you like and go by that.
"Many will say to me in that day,Lord,Lord,did we not prophesy
in your name,and expel demons in your name,and perform many
powerful works in your name?.....And yet I will confess to them;
I NEVER KNEW YOU! Get away from me you workers of law-
lessness." Jesus Christ said that at Matt.7:22,23. You claim to
be an atheist. Well I can see why many people have turned away
from The organized religions of this world.There are however some
that do teach what the Bible really teaches.
More info.www.watchtower.org

Answer 10

I think, if you are unaware of Christianity (such as villages in Africa) or too young to make a decision (I would say under 12), then you would not go to hell.

But if you stare at Christianity in the face and deny it, you may go to hell, that's my interpretation of the bible as a Roman Catholic.