All I said was that I know when I'm doing something wrong but most of the time I just dont care and I do it anyways...his response..."Well, you're going to hell."
I was so shocked I just got up and left.
FYI Im Catholic...or at least I was...I dont know if I believe in organized religion anymore
And isn't God supposed to be the one to judge me anyways? Not the priest....
2007-07-02 06:55:55 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"And isn't God supposed to be the one to judge me anyways? Not the priest..."
Technically, yes. But technically, no. If you claimed to be a Christian, continued in sin, but had no intention of changing--then yes, we are suppose to judge accordingly. But you did not do that. So yes, God will judge you and your priest was out of line.
Basically, your priest overstepped his authority. No one can sentence you but the Judge. We, as individual Christians, are only witnesses--we are merely to give an account for what happens in our life. Jesus is our advocate, and Satan is the accuser. For a witness to stand up and declare anyone is going to hell is a violation of protocol--and really means nothing, legally.
So, as a witness, let me just warn you not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Organized religion is a crock--and rarely do what Jesus commands. But do not blame the faults of religion on the Lord who gave His life so that you can get a free pardon from the Judge in that day.
James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
2007-07-02 06:59:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, no human being, not even a priest or the pope, has the right to tell you if you're going to heaven or hell. Only God can. And yeah, God is the One to judge. In John 14:6 it says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " No where in the Bible does it say that you have to go through the priest, or the Pope, or any other church official. Just because you sin doesn't mean you're going to burn forever and ever (actually, to tell you the truth, it doesn't even say in the Bible that ANYONE burns in hell for all eternity. It just says that the smoke ascends forever. Think about it: after the fire is put out, it still takes forever for the smoke to stop, right? And things don't burn forever; you can't burn ashes...get what I'm saying?). I mean, we all sin (Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."), and God doesn't sentence us right then and there--if He did, then what would be the point of Jesus coming to die for us? HE's the One who came and died for us, who became our advocate, not the priest, the Pope, or any other human being.
Organized religion is fine, but when people try to get in God's place and tell you stuff like that, then there's a problem. And it's them. Personally, since that was the priest, I wouldn't go to that church. I don't even go to a Catholic church. I believe that the only person to go through to talk to the Father is Jesus (as I mentioned, like in that Bible passage, earlier). The Catholic church doesn't think that way. So that's one reason why I'm not Catholic. I am Christian though. :)
Hey, if you have any questions, or anything like that, you can email me if you want to. I'll be happy to help. :D (big happy laughing grin I like to put everywhere, hehehe)
2007-07-02 07:18:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps he was trying to shock you out of your complacency. You can't be very familiar with the nature and character of God to take such a flippant attitude toward sin, which God takes very seriously. The book of Proverbs talks about the person who knows the right way, but doesn't care and chooses the wrong path anyway. This person is called "The Fool."
Psychotherapists recognize that when we react as strongly as you did to a statement, we are putting our defenses up to avoid dealing with the real issue. You left because you didn't want to have a conversation with the priest about how you were living your life. You could have stayed and talked more, but you cut off all meaningful conversation as a defense against dealing with the truth.
Yes, God is the one who will judge you, but the priest's job is to help people BEFORE they stand before the God in judgment. His warning may have been offensive to you, but you should take it seriously and use it as an opportunity to evaluate your life and where it is taking you.
Blessings.
2007-07-02 07:06:03 · answer #3 · answered by happygirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
*Is Catholic*
The priest is correct. You are clearly choosing the path to hell because you do not care that you are sinning.
It is one thing to sin and then seek redemption, it is completely another thing to choose to and to love to sin.
Your priest is simply pointing out what you are doing.
If you are clearly heading to hell, and you are clearly telling the priest that you are enjoying what you are doing and don't care that it is wrong, then the priest is fully within his right to tell you the truth.
In fact, the priest is morally obligated to tell you what he told you. It is his responsibility before Christ to watch out for you and lead you away from sin.
Also you are mistaken, the priest is not judging you. He is telling you exactly what you are doing. To judge you would be to say "You shall go to hell and there is final". What he said is "you are GOING" which means that you are in the process of going, not that you actually are (what do they teach in English class these days?).
So be warned and seek repentance. This isn't a game we are playing.
God bless.
2007-07-02 15:45:01 · answer #4 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Somehow, I get the feeling that "works theology" is involved here.
Provided you have given your life to Christ and do your best NOT to sin- but take it Jesus when you slip up, and we all do- you won't go to hell.
Please don't take the second part of that out of context, though. Doing good works won't change the fact that you've sinned and that sin must be punished. The only thing that can save you is Jesus' blood, which washes away the sins of man in the eyes of God.
What I was trying to say is that you can't be a Christian and still have your old lifestyle. Nobody can serve two masters, for he will love one and despise the other.
2007-07-02 07:06:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That was completely presumptuous of him and very inappropriate to say that. He is not God, he does not determine where you will spend eternity. Any person who tells you where you are going is undermining God's authority.
I recommend finding a different church, don't give up just because one guy in one church said something stupid. He may think he is helping you, but he is mistaken. I personally do not agree with many doctrines taught by the Catholic church and feel some can be downright dangerous.
You can give up on organized religion, but don't give up on Jesus!
2007-07-02 07:08:34 · answer #6 · answered by melissa 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are heading on the right track dear.
My non-denom church is full of former Roman Catholics. They tell me they read the New Test for themselves and saw the errors in the RCC!
Do not leave God, he loves you and he alone is judge. AND "ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God", even that priest!
Read the NEW test for yourself and God will guide you.
I just prayed for you.
God bless,
†
2007-07-02 07:03:25 · answer #7 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey, I'm catholic too, and yes, you are right: your priest was wrong. He doesn't decide that, God decides whether or not you go to Heaven. and its good that you know when you're doing something wrong, just try not to. and as long as you ask God for forgiveness and really mean it, he'll forgive you! If your priest is like this you might want to start looking for another church.
Good luck with everything
2007-07-02 07:00:45 · answer #8 · answered by grobanite 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
organized religion was created by man to control the masses, still works. only you and god will be there at the end. at the judging. If you look in the mirror and are happy with self, that is what matters. If what you do harms no one who is to say it is wrong
2007-07-02 07:16:42 · answer #9 · answered by happy_kko 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The priest is a man and cannot take such decision. Only the God Almighty can take the decision. Do you believe in God, so starts a new life today. Do not worship idols such as the statue of Jesus Christ on the cross. You know, Jesus who is the Master of Heavens and Earth, has risen from death to eternal life. He has all power. He is at God's right hand seated on the trone. Do not trust man and his words just believe God's words...
Just pray to God in the name of Jesus, He'll listen to you.
Approach God in Jesus name, believe that Jesus died on the cross just to save you lady.. Yes, Jesus died to save the humanity.. ITS YOUR DECISION NOW.. God cannot change your decision. You decide, where do you want to go when your body will die. I believe you are a saved person in Jesus. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart...
Worship God in your heart and invite the Holy Spirit. You'll speak in Tongues.. You'll see..
Give Him Thanks...In the Name of Jesus.
2007-07-02 07:30:41 · answer #10 · answered by Vitish 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋