What's up with purgatory??

Question

Seriously, what's up with this purgatory the Catholic Church tries to feed people? I mean, I'm not Catholic, I'm a Protestant, but I got to Catholic High School, and went to Catholic grade school, and they've fed me some bullcrap about purgatory. Now, no where in the Bible does it mention purgatory. I believe it as "You either go to Heaven, or you go to hell." That's it. Simple as that. There's no need for purgatory. Sure, having people pray for your soul is nice, but I don't think it really affects where you go after you die.

To Mysteria:
Um, I go to Sunday School every Sunday, and I love it.

Answer 1

You are correct.

Its an imaginary place which was useful to preach about so that you could extract money from the people.

"Give the church $1,000.00 and the Pope will let Uncle Harry out of purgatory!"

Luther asked, "If the Pope could let people out of Purgatory why doesn't he let everyone out just to be nice?"

That's not an exact quote but its close to one of Luther's 95 Thesis.

Ok, here is the exact quote:

82. To wit: -- "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial."

Pastor Art

Answer 2

This is what's up with Purgatory:
Purgatory is a state, process, or place of purification or punishment in which, according to Christian and Roman Catholic beliefs, the dead are "purified" or "cleansed" prior to entering Heaven.
According to Roman Catholic beliefs, some sins are so severe that in the afterlife, they eternally separate one from God, a condition called Hell. Lesser states of sin are not severe enough to prevent one from eventually attaining eternal union with God, a condition called Heaven. Souls who die in this lesser state of sin are ultimately united with God, but first they must be "purified" or "cleansed," a condition called Purgatory.
Roman Catholics believe that the acts of the living, such as prayer and sacrifice, can have positive effects on the dead who are in Purgatory. Historically, Purgatory was envisioned as a physical place of fiery punishment, although modern Catholic theologians reject this interpretation.
The doctrine of Purgatory was first became widespread during the 12th century, but elements of the doctrine are more ancient. For example, two elements which predate the 12th century are the belief that prayer for the dead is valuable, and the idea that not all souls are condemned to Hell or worthy of Heaven at the moment of death.
Among other Christian denominations, the concept of Purgatory is controversial. The Eastern Orthodox Church rejects the Roman Catholic understanding of Purgatory, although they do pray for the dead. Protestants, with few exceptions, do not believe in a process of purification after death. Leaders of the Protestant Reformation particularly objected to the medieval Roman Catholic church practice of granting "indulgences," which are a pardoning of the sins of souls in Purgatory in exchange for monetary donations to the Church.
Plus, a handy flow chart:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Purgatory4.png

Answer 3

the word purgatory is not used in the bible,neither is the word trinity but from the scriptures we can see these realities, the terms are just ascribed to the theology or doctrine of what we find.

there are many places that indicate a third state of where we may go, jesus was even in a middle state if you read teh scriptures.

the link covers the scriptural basis, for more locate a catechism
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html

purgatory is more scriptural than any teaching on the rapture so often promoted within protestantism. remember the church came before the bible and "the church is the pillar and bulwark of the faith"(this statement you will find in the bible).

when we study the earliest christian and historical documents and archaeology we find that this church was the one true holy catholic and apostilic church. the catholic church has taught the same doctrines of truth unchanged for 2000 years.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/
go to the church fathers portion to see how similiar the 1st century christians compare to the catholic church of today.

for pastor art, you are sadly mistaken and taking out of context martin luthers problem, and if you are siding with martin luther you are siding with A MERE MAN and going AGAINST CHRISTS CHURCH. these articles may clarify some things for you
http://www.catholiceducation.org/links/search.cgi?query=reformation

god bless and may you find the truth.

Answer 4

If you're *actually* interested in an answer instead of simply wanting to announce to everyone that you think it's bullcrap, pick up a copy of C.S.Lewis's book, The Great Divorce. It's doesn't quite match up with Catholic doctrine, but conceptually, it makes Purgatory very understandable to Protestants.

Answer 5

Purgatory is for people who are going to heaven. They just need a little cleansing.

"Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Cor. 3:13-15).

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey . . ." (1 Peter 3:18-20).

"But nothing unclean shall enter it [heaven] . . ." (Rev. 21:27).

Answer 6

Purgatory isn't literally spelled out in the Bible but it's implied. This is just one example, there are others.

The Bible also never mentions the word "trinity", which I'm sure is a word you've come to know, having been in Catholic schools.



1 Corinthians 3:11-15: "For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble: Every man's work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."

Answer 7

purgatory, which is a state of soul and not a place, is " the porch and entrance to Heaven".
since "Nothing unclean can enter Heaven"(Rev21:27) and Jesus preached to the souls in a temporary prison after death(1 Pet3:18-20&4:6)
Purgatory makes perfect spiritual sense.

Answer 8

It is based on purification to enter heaven,it is derived from places to name a few
The land of Nod
where Cain was sent to just after killing his brother Able.
Also a passage about babies born and died before being baptized
Since they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven
Jesus enters the world of the dead,before resurrecting on the third day.since no souls entered heaven until he opened the door to heaven,by dying on the cross.
Since you go to a Catholic school,ask!

Answer 9

I believe in heaven or hell, not purgatory. I agree to disagree with my Catholic friends on this and several other matters.

Answer 10

You have gotten excellent answers. I hope you will take note of them. Rather than repeat what has already been said, let me just add my thumbs up to them! Purgatgory is biblical and makes perfect sense in light of understanding God, and the teaching of salvation.

Answer 11

Saying someone's beliefs that are different than yours is bullcrap makes me believe you have missed out on Christian lessons in conduct. Perhaps some Sunday school lessons are in order.