2007-01-16 18:12:40 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes.
+ Purgatory +
To discuss indulgences, first we have to talk about Purgation (or Purgatory).
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 into perfect beings. Depending on the amount of change needed by different people this can be an easy or slightly harder process.
Everyone in purgatory is on their way to heaven. I don't think Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a very hard time of it.
+ Indulgences +
The concept is that a person can do acts of penance now on earth to make purgation easier.
Penance is internally turning one's heart toward God and away from sin in hope in divine mercy and externally by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
A corruption grew in the Church many years ago where rich people would give enough alms (money to the Church) to essentially buy an easy way to heaven. This was one of Martin Luther's protests (hence Protestants) and shortly thereafter the Catholic Church cleaned up this practice.
In 1567 Pope Pius V canceled all grants of indulgences involving any fees or other financial transactions.
But remember because everyone in purgatory is already on their way to heaven, indulgences do not get you into heaven. They just make purgation easier.
I guess if you did not believe in purgatory then there would be no reason to worry about indulgences.
With love in Christ.
2007-01-20 15:58:48 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peace!
Indulgences are the remission of all (plenary) or part (partial) of the temporal punishment due to sins which have already been forgiven. They are granted in view of the merits of Christ the Redeemer, and the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. - Catholic Doctrine
There are many myths connected to this doctrine which are absolutely false. For example: A person can buy his way out of hell with indulgences. Indulgences were invented by the Church to raise money. There are others and they are all false.
I have been a Catholic for more than 45 years and never have I been asked by a priest to make a material indulgence.
2007-01-16 19:41:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Purgatory is another false doctrine promoted by Roman Catholics called indulgences.
Purgatory is one such example of a preposterous idea being accepted as truth.
Bible says, "There has been many false doctrines through the years that only take root as truth because people are ignorant of the Truth". John 17:17
No matter how much money a family member gives on their behalf to the church. The Lord would never bribe anyone to give to the church. 2 Cor. 9:7
Money has never and will never be a means of salvation. We all have one chance at Heaven. Heb. 9:27
When we sin as Christian, we need to repent, confess our sin in prayer and ask for forgiveness.Acts 8:18-24
If you understand that your sins are not forgiven, you don’t need to pay a dime.
2007-01-18 08:47:38 · answer #3 · answered by House Speaker 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if they still do it. When I was a kid we had these Catholic prayer books and at the bottom of each prayer the indulgence was listed in years. For example, if you earned a 5 year indulgence for saying a prayer then when you die your sentence in purgatory would be reduced by 5 years. Not a bad deal. In former times I understand that rich people could buy indulgences for cash.
2007-01-16 18:22:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It seems like they do where I live. It seems like they have as many babies as possible, drink alcohol, swear, and then claim that they are going to church the next day. What a great way to convert people to a religion, sign me up if I can do whatever I want but be justified because I go to church....(sarcastic)
I live in Southern Calif. and many of the Catholics I know come from Mexico or have some sort of heritage from there. Its no surprise to me seeing how they conduct themselves that people who are Catholic are only born into it but don't really believe it. I am not a Catholic, but if I were, I would be ashamed to pronounce it due to how the majority acts. It is not a pretty sight.
2007-01-16 18:20:42 · answer #5 · answered by kaliroadrager 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pastor Billy says: why do non-Catholics always think indulgences are about money? Geez the abuse of indulgences was about money.
yes the Church still believes in indulgences, I can receive one by merely reading holy scripture.
go to www.catholic.com and type in indulgence myth.
2007-01-17 09:07:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read this, it is about the myths surrounding indulgences. There are a lot of people on here that make claims about the Catholic faith with no real knowledge of the truth.
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9411fea1sb2.asp
2007-01-16 18:55:14 · answer #7 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes. But there are a lot of complicated rules surrounding them and the practice is not very common today. The Church is also more careful to avoid abuse of the system. The link below explains it, if you want to take a stab at canon law.
2007-01-16 18:18:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
However, they are no longer sold. Since 1567, it has been forbidden to offer an indulgence in return for financial remuneration.
2007-01-16 18:18:14 · answer #9 · answered by Iris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely!
Indulgences are one of the greatest benefits of being Catholic.
It's a shame that almost no Protestants and few Catholics actually understand how and why they work.
2007-01-17 00:19:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋