I was wondering this because when I was growing up, a Catholic neighbour told me I was going to Hell if I didn't accept Catholicism. If I just say "I accept Catholicism" does this count? Deep down, I can't pretend to believe something I don't believe, I'm agnostic. I read that scientists are finding some people's brains are more hard-wired to be religious than others Do all other religions - like Islam and Judaism believe non-believers are going to hell?
2007-06-03 14:18:35 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most Christians believe that if you weren't Christian you'll go to hell. And yeah Islam & Judaism believe that too, although many Jews don't believe in literal hell. Only few religions & sects of religions say that you won't go to hell: Pagan religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca etc) & Universalists.
2007-06-03 14:21:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Let me put it to you this way, your proclamation of agnosticism is not putting you in good company. I will not go so far as to say you WILL go to hell but, I cannot in good concscience, tell you to expect good things in the afterlife if you do not change your heart.
In your heart, you already know merely saying, "I accept Catholicism." is not good enough. The Bible warns, "There are many who will say, "Lord, Lord", that will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." These are the ones who proclaim falsly that Jesus is their Messiah. Many of these people will be surprised when God rejects them, for they have fooled themselves into thinking they worship Jesus, when they really don't.
You cannot fall back on science as an excuse why you don't believe. The ability to have Faith is not a human acheivement. It does not come from within. Faith, the ability to have, comes from God. It is gifted by the Almighty to the people of Earth.
Most people have the Gift of Faith from when they are very young. Others do not get it until they are much older. Or, it is quite possible they were offered this Gift as a youth, but either rejected this Gift or still have yet to accept it from God.
Then again, why would you have faith when you do not believe in God to begin with?
The trouble is, you believe only what you can see with your physical human eyes. Your physical eyes cannot see the unseeable. In the physical world, people see before they believe.
You must open the eyes of your soul. Open your spiritual eyes and you will find faith. Find faith, and you will find God. Find God and you will believe.
When it comes to God, you have to believe before you can see.
2007-06-05 01:42:38 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Catholics do not think you must be Catholic to go to Heaven. We believe that all the graces from the merits of Jesus' suffering and death are bestowed on people through his Church just like he said 2,000 years ago. His Church are those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord and in doing so they have been baptized. The Catholic Church has the fullness of Faith. We have the full banquet before us at the Mass. Other denominations must wait to receive until the last day when Christ will raise them up. They have an invitation to the banquet now if they would like to join the Catholic Church but anyway we are called and we are not the ones who chose.
2007-06-03 15:28:58 · answer #3 · answered by Midge 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No.
The Catholic Church teaches:
+ 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.
2007-06-03 15:41:07 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I was brought up in a very catholic household. catholic school for 8 years. I believe that if you love thy nieghbor and treat people well. Pray now and again and believe in a god be it catholic, methodist, jewish, hindi, muslem we will all go to heaven. I believe that there is only one god. the same one for all the religions of the world. And he will know if you are a trully caring and loving person when it's time to enter the pearly gates.
2007-06-03 15:51:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"I can't pretend to believe something I don't believe"
Is this because you've seriously sat down and looked at the evidence, or are you living a life that you know is contrary to the teachings, meaning you will have to give up something you don't want to?
By the way, the gauge I use to see if I give good answers is the number of thumbs down I receive. So thanks anti-God folks, all I get is thumbs down when I hit the nail on the head!!!!
2007-06-03 14:26:56 · answer #6 · answered by 87GN 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, Catholics believe that. I'm pretty sure all religions believe that they will be the only ones in Heaven.
2007-06-03 14:35:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Simple not being a catholic does not automatically send you to hell. Of course just by being a Catholic does not guarantee heaven either. There's a bit more to it than that.
Cheers :-)
2007-06-03 14:22:09 · answer #8 · answered by chekeir 6 · 6⤊ 2⤋
The answer is no.
We will be judged on what we do ( with an informed conscience)
2007-06-03 19:09:11 · answer #9 · answered by Plato 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No we Catholics do not presume to be God, and think we can judge anothers heart and soul.
2007-06-03 14:23:05 · answer #10 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋