2007-05-30 11:43:54 · 14 answers · asked by JFC I No 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People never gave money to the church to be forgiven of thier sins. For a short time, they gave alms in exchange for indulgences.
+ 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.
2007-06-02 18:28:09 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Indulgence. Your first answerer was correct. It was a practice of the Catholic church from around 1200 to 1600. It was one of the major issues of contention for the Protestant Reformation and I do not believe that the Catholic Church still issues indulgences.
2007-05-30 11:50:34 · answer #2 · answered by Betsy S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if it happens, it's wrong.
"For by Grace you have been saved, through faith, not of yourself it is the gift of god, not of works, lets any man should boast" Ephesians 2:8-9
There are plenty of other places where this is mentioned in the bible.
Just because it happens doesn't make it right. During the crusades, the pope started giving out "Get out of eternal damnation free" passes. That's also wrong.
2007-05-30 11:48:53 · answer #3 · answered by chess19902000 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You mean from guilt?!!!
If you give money to your Church every week or month its called tithing..that Money is given not because your guilty about anything its because of your faith in God.
2007-05-30 11:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ancient History,and not correct. Try pre-counter reformation.
2007-05-30 11:50:17 · answer #5 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1st Church of the Naive.
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2007-05-30 11:46:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that is in practice.....maybe it was at one time, but obviously, money doesn't buy forgiveness.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-05-30 11:46:48 · answer #7 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Indulgences I think.
2007-05-30 11:46:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bingo. No, just kidding. I think you mean "paying indulgence".
2007-05-30 11:47:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Its called trying to bribe GOD!
2007-06-03 10:49:23 · answer #10 · answered by turkeyhug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋