that unless you are baptized in the Catholic Church, you go to hell?
Every so often I hear this idea from a Catholic. Is it what THEY believe, or is it a church teaching?
2007-04-26 14:17:08 · 14 answers · asked by Colin 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Far from it. The Church teaches that the Catholic Church has the fullness of the Grace of God, but there are truths in all faiths (I take that to mean Christianity and Judaism for sure - Islam I don't know if that faith is included). Anyone who strives to do good, whether they are Catholic, Protestant or whatever, even those ignorant of the Word of God, can inherit the Kingdom of God.
But, remember, no matter what - it is all up to God to make that choice. No one here on Earth can safely say who is going to Heaven or Hell, including those who claim to be "saved"
2007-04-26 14:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they hope the faithful will support the church as best they can. The Roman Catholic Church is the biggest private charity in the world and the USA. They don't get that way from no one donating money to continue the good works of the church. On the other hand, they do not look at your IRS statements like the Mormons do. If you are Mormon, you better give at least 10 percent. No temple recommend or benefits if you do not. They will hound you. The Catholic Church also teaches there are going to be times where you cannot afford a penny as you need to care for your family and pay your mortgage. They understand this stuff.
2016-05-19 21:52:27 · answer #2 · answered by stephanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is what THEY believe. The Catholic Church teaches that everyone can go to heaven. The Church teaches that because God is Love and Mercy (and Justice) everyone has the possibility of going to Heaven, but that being Catholic is the only sure way. (I think most religions say that theirs is the sure way.) The Catholic Church believes it is the one, true Church because it was founded by Jesus, God Himself and follows the teachings of Christ.
About Baptism, the Catholic Church does teach that it is necessary to be Baptized to enter Heaven, but that there are different types of Baptism. The three types are:
1. Baptism by water, which is the ordinary method, is done with prayers and water. The catholic Church recognizes the Baptisms of all Christian Churches as valid, and does not re-baptize a person if they convert from Protestantism to Catholicism.
2. Baptism by blood, which is when someone is killed (martyred) for not renouncing their belief in God and for the faith.
3. Baptism by desire, which is given to a person who would have chosen to be baptized, but they did not have the opportunity or did not have the knowledge of it. Only God knows which people receive this type of Baptism because only He truly knows their hearts.
That is a very common misunderstanding of Catholicism, among Catholics and non-Catholics.
God Bless!
2007-04-26 14:34:18 · answer #3 · answered by Chris C 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, certainly not. Or at least, they ought not to -- my best friend, who IS Catholic, told me that a priest was excommunicated some years ago for teaching that very thing (and refusing to back down).
And I'm not a Catholic, so I've not got anything to protect.
What they teach is that anyone who has been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit has received a valid baptism and they recognize that. They do teach, however, that non-Catholics like me have an incomplete revelation, or words to that effect.
Check out the website for Catholic Answers, which has a zillion articles explaining Catholic beliefs. It's at www.catholic.com
2007-04-26 14:35:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sigh.
I love my fellow Catholics but here they are wrong.
To be "born again" requires water baptism.
It is offical Catholic teaching.
Refer to Council of Carthage VII (A.D. 258):
"And in the Gospel our Lord Jesus Christ spoke with His divine voice, saying, "Except a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This is the Spirit which from the beginning was borne over the waters; for neither can the Spirit operate without the water, nor the water without the Spirit...Unless therefore they receive saving baptism in the Catholic Church, which is one, they cannot be saved, but will be condemned with the carnal in the judgment of the Lord Christ."
We didn't just dream this up, we have TONS of scripture to back it up:
Jesus commands that believing in Him is not enough, that baptism is required. By being baptized in 'water and spirit' (John 1:32)
Acts 22:16: Ananias tells Paul, "arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins," even though Paul was converted directly by Jesus Christ. This proves that Paul's acceptance of Jesus as personal Lord and Savior was not enough to be forgiven of his sin and saved. The sacrament of baptism is required.
If you require more just send me an email I'll be happy to reply.
2007-04-26 18:46:56 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle_My_Belle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church accepts water baptism from protestant churches if the baptism was done in accordance with Matt 28:19
2007-04-26 14:26:53 · answer #6 · answered by ansearcher@sbcglobal.net 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It used to be a Catholic doctrine. Vatican II modified it for the sake of ecumenism. Many Catholics believe it was a mistake, because it has a Biblical as well as an apostolic warrant.
Peace and every blessing!
2007-04-26 14:52:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, this is not official teaching of the Church. It was for many centuries. However, the Ecumenical movement, especially under John Paul II, emphasized that there is far more to God than we will ever know, and that all paths must be respected; it is God's decision, not the Church's.
2007-04-26 14:21:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, this is not a official teaching of the Church.
If that was true very few people would be saved.
2007-04-26 14:34:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is NOT Church teaching. According to the Catholic Church, "Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life." (Lumen Gentium 16)
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
2007-04-26 14:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋