Why is Purgatory a Catholic doctrine ?

Question

The teaching has absolutely no scriptural basis or support. Why does the clergy teach it? Why do Catholics beleive it?

Answer 1

Unbiblical Doctrines
The fundamental doctrines of Christendom are based not on the Bible but on ancient myths—those of Greece, Egypt, Babylon, and others. Teachings such as the inherent immortality of the human soul, eternal torment in hellfire, purgatory, and the Trinity (three persons in one Godhead) are not found in the Bible.


Dante's "Inferno"

For example, consider the teaching that bad people will be tortured forever in a fiery hell. How do you feel about this idea? Many find it repugnant. They find it unreasonable that God would forever torture humans, keeping them in excruciating pain. Such a fiendish idea is contrary to the God of the Bible, for "God is love." (1 John 4:8) The Bible is clear that such a teaching 'had not come into the heart' of Almighty God.—Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5; 32:35.

The teachings of the Bible about God and his purposes are clear, easy to understand, and reasonable. But the teachings of Christendom's churches are not. Worse, they contradict the Bible.

Answer 2

The dogma or doctrine is still valid despite numerous interpretations. We know certain basic facts in that the sufferings are based upon a time frame. This means that some of those sufferings can be alleviated even before we die. This can be accomplished by prayer, sufferings and other spiritual acts. Those who do end up in purgatory have already been saved and cannot lose salvation.

Answer 3

Purgatory is a place of purification to remove the remains of sin. Rev 21:27 tells us that we must be pure in order to enter Heaven, "nothing unclean will enter." How many of us are without sin? Matt. 5:48 tells us to "...be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." How are we to be perfect?

There are scriptures that indicate that there is a purgatory. Mt. 12:32 gives us the idea that sin can be forgiven after death, "And whoever speaks a word against the son of Man will be forgiven' but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come."

1 Cor. 3:15 states "But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss, the person will be saved, but only as through fire." This "fire" cannot be referring to the fire of hell, because hell is eternal, in hell no one is saved. It is not referring to heaven, for in heaven there is no suffering. What does that leave? Purgatory.

The clearest affirmation of the existence of Purgatory comes from one of the books in the Catholic Bible that was removed by Martin Luther in 1529. 2 Maccabees 12:44-46 "...for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin." Praying for the dead presumes souls in a middle state where atonement for sin can be made.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 4

+ Purgatory +

The concept of purgation is 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 +

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

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

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 AD.

Catholics 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)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#80

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 5

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607


As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:


Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611

Answer 6

It has biblical basis and is taught by Jesus when he refers to the prison where you will be cast and not get out until you have payed to the last dime.
The Jews believe in prayers for the dead and the Church has always done so, just look at the inscriptions of the catacombs, Christians have from the beginning believed in prayers for the dead and in purgatory.
Protestants have invented a new man-made religion.

Answer 7

It most certainly is biblical - unfortunately for Protestants, Luther removed the books that proved it because he thought he knew more that 1500 years worth of scholars.

But if you really are honestly asking, look it up from a Catholic site, not an anti-Catholic one.

Answer 8

Kiril you may not agree with this doctrine and thats up to you, however let me ask you this, are you so pure and holy that you can be in the same presence as the holy majesty of God when you die? this is very akin to the sin of Adam and Eve who thought they too could be like God.
If God is all holiness and cannot be anything but perfect how can we sinners who are imperfect even when we die bear to be in His awesome presence without ourselves being perfect too.
Can you even mix oil and water?

Answer 9

2 Thessalonians 2:11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Answer 10

Simply because a Pope spoke it. The main difference between Roman Catholics and other Christians is that RCs believe that the Pope speaking "ex cathedra" is infallible and speaking for God. They believe that what the Pope says has as much weight as what is written in the Bible.