What is Purgatory:? And when do you enter?

Answer 1

Assuming we are not bad enough for Hell, it is how we go from being imperfect at the time of our death to being perfect in Heaven.

Answer 2

Purgatory is often mis-represented by those who don't fully understand what it is.

While the specifics are sketchy (as are that of heaven and hell), purgatory is believed to be a place (or more likely a process) in which souls undergo a final purification before going before the full presence of God.

Though we are already forgiven of our sins through the blood of Christ, we are still imperfect. Our sins further this imperfection, though we are still forgiven. For instance, a bad drinking problem that results in abuse is sinful. We can be forgiven, but that sin still leaves scars on us visible in our character. We are still weak to alcohol and its temptations.

In the Catholic faith, we try and mend this damage through penance. Penance is not a means of obtaining forgiveness through works, but rather a way of healing the wounds. Any penance not done on earth is then done in Purgatory.

I do think it's rather silly when Christians criticize the teachings of purgatory, as it has no real consequences to them one way or another. One who does not believe in purgatory (and thus thinks they would go straight to heaven) would go to purgatory and be cleansed before going to heaven. If purgatory did not exist, however, there would be no loss. It's simply not an argument worth getting into.

For a more stimulating read on thoughts of heaven, hell, and purgatory, I recommend reading C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce." It is purely fictional, but it will make you think.

Answer 3

Purgatory is a Catholic doctrine that teaches venial sinners enter a place of punishment and purging after death before entering Heaven. They have Scriptures they use to support their doctrine, but those same Scriptures are used to support Universal Reconciliation.

Answer 4

Purgatory is the place where saved souls go to be purified from their sins. The LORD Jesus Christ removed the "nail" of sin on thh cross and purgartory removes the "hole" of sin (its effects) from teh soul. Nothing impure can enter heaven, therefore, in purgatory, souls are sent to be purified, some longer than others, depending on te life lived. God bless.

Answer 5

Purgatory is a place Catholics made up in order to create workarounds for all the weird questions like, "If you are a good person and never heard of Jesus, do you go to Heaven?" So they said, well, you chill in Purgatory for a bit and then you go to Heaven.

Of course, couldn't God have worked this out without a staging area? I mean, why the bureaucracy?

Answer 6

Purgatory is a belief of Catholicism. It is unscriptural, though, as there is no mention of it in the Bible. It's either heaven or hell.

Answer 7

Purgatory is first level of hell. A place that is in between good and evil.
A person may enter there when they did not follow good nor evil. Or, they followed both good and evil in some way shape or form.

Answer 8

good you asked me cause i just did REC 77!! and so yea. ok purgatory is a place you go after you died. the reason why you go there is becaue heaven is made for saints.
a saint is someone without sin.
so purgatory cleans us of our sin. people not baptised go to limbo
so purgatory is the state b4 you enter heaven. because you have to be clean from all sins before entering heaven.

Answer 9

It is purely a Catholic teaching and has no basis for being true.
It is not in the Bible.

Answer 10

Non-existent!