Why do Catholics say that only they are going to heaven, but not other Christians?

Question

First of all I'm a Christian, but I'm not a Catholic nor a Protestant. I'm a Non-Denominational Christian.

On an Internet forum, a religious Catholic guy said that the Catholic Church says Catholics only will enter heaven, no other Christians will. I don't know if he's wrong or right, but I believed him because he always talks about Catholicism and all.

Catholics, is this true or not?

Well, like I said, I'm not a Catholic. But I believe I am going to heaven.

Tur B, no, I do not believe you. I am NOT a Protestant. Who do you think you are to label me that? Research, please.

Answer 1

I'm a (Protestant) Christian but have studied Catholicism and it was pronounced by Popes that being outside the (Roman) Catholic church means you are anathema - no longer right with God (Hell-destined). It was a foolish proclamation that I believe is still in their catechism book. But even if it is not, a papal (Pope-spoken) pronouncement is absolutely from God (according to their foundational beliefs). So the man is right, but Roman Catholics don't like to admit they are following such a false doctrine or else they would have to admit they are following a false religion (a Christian cult to be specific).

Answer 2

Do you believe everything that you hear or read? Nobody including the catholic church knows who (if anyone) will go to heaven (if there is a heaven).
It is a theory that cannot be proved, or disproved, and therefore not worth worrying about.
I am not a christian and the only god worth my devotion is the Planet that we live on.
Nobody has ever come back to tell us who goes to heaven
Nobody ever proved that there is even a heaven.
Do not forget, the catholic church edited the bible to fit what they wanted it to say. They left out much and turned Mary into a whore. So it is a fact that the catholic church cannot be trusted or believed. They are just politicians.
Just be a good person and good should come back to you, and whatever is supposed to happen when you die, will happen.

Answer 3

Actually that is not true at all, the guy did not know what he was talking about and expressing a Common (medieval)Myth and misinterpretation. Here is the official Catholic teaching:

838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist."

839 "Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways."

The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People,"the first to hear the Word of God." 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."

840 And when one considers the future, God's People of the Old Covenant and the new People of God tend towards similar goals: expectation of the coming (or the return) of the Messiah. But one awaits the return of the Messiah who died and rose from the dead and is recognized as Lord and Son of God; the other awaits the coming of a Messiah, whose features remain hidden till the end of time; and the latter waiting is accompanied by the drama of not knowing or of misunderstanding Christ Jesus.

841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "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."

842 The Church's bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:

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."

~Catechism of the Cathoic Church

Catholics believe we have the fullness of the faith of Christianity, not exclusive rights to it. Next time he run off on things that are not actually teachings or misinterpretations of teachings like that post this or pull up Nostra Aetate (the Church's Declaration on Non Christian religions) or DIgnitatis Humane (the Church's Declaration on Religious Freedom).or Lumen Gentium (Light of Nations) which speaks to ALL christians.

EDIT: Hate to inform you, but you are by definition Protestant. There are only Two Branches of Christianity. Catholic (Roman and Orthodox) and Protestant. Non-denominational Christian churches are exclusively derived from the Protestant movement in the 1950's. You are part of the American Protestant movement whether you allign yourself with anyone or not. (that is the research of non denominational classification)

Answer 4

Being a "Non-Denominational" Christian means that your non-denominational affiliation is your denomination.

Jesus established His Church in order for it to include all who believe on Him. Some have drifted away from it but none the less remained faithful to Christ but without the fullness with which He offers. All non-Catholic churches or denominations are in someway or another affiliated with Catholicism.

Answer 5

like Tur B said, you are a protestant. because outside the Catholic Church, any professing Christians are protestants.

by the way, no, I have never heard any Catholics say they are the only ones going to heaven.

Answer 6

i'm Anglican and that i became into as quickly as in a Catholic Church and a youthful seminarian preached a sermon to the tip result that absolutely everyone non-catholics might ought to come lower back to the fold in any different case possibility no longer likely to heaven. i comprehend of a few Catholics inspite of the shown fact that, who carry a diverse view. it form of feels the 1st rate version is that the Catholic Church is THE CHURCH and all ought to return to it in a roundabout way. there is not any longer denial that it rather is what Vatican believes although that stance is slowly changing with the aid of fact the international will become extra inter-non secular.

Answer 7

I'm Catholic and I believe in God and prayer, but I don't think heaven is only reserved for Catholics. The 'Catholic Guy' reminds me of the judgmental people on the first pew who think because they are in church every Sunday they will go to heaven. My own belief is God loves all people and everyone is welcomed to heaven...

Answer 8

DougLawerence explained it.



Catholics do not say that.

That four marks distinguish Christ's kingdom of heaven on earth. They are made known in the Creed—"I believe in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."



One in:

Faith
Belief
Worship
Government


Holy In:

Origin, Christ.
Objective, redemption.
Means, sacraments.
Sanctity of faithful.


Catholic :

Teaches all nations.
During all time.
All Christ taught.
Peoples of all nationalities obedient to one universal authority in faith and morals.


Apostolic :

Founded upon apostles.
Teaches what apostles Apostolic taught.
Continuous existence from time of the apostles.
"The enemies of the Church themselves die and disappear, but the Church itself lives on, and preaches the power of God to ever succeeding generations" (St. Augustine).

Peace Be With You

Answer 9

Yes, it is true, but it is misunderstood. It is the Catholic Dogma "Extra ecclesiam nulla salus" or "outside the Church there is no salvation." It is a very complicated issue that many people take the wrong way.

I am sure Wikipedia has something good:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus

Answer 10

Every Religion has their own interpretation of the Bible. Many have even "altered" it to fit their collective belief system, and the fact that many religions try to guilt people in to joining their particular denomination, makes me really wonder how many God's are there.

In the Middle East, for centuries there have been religious wars over who should "own" the Holy Land, etc... Kind of like "My God is better than your God, so I'm gonna ____you in the name of my God." It's time for them to get over it, and grow up and act like real men. Well this is turning in to a rant, and I don't want to go there, so I will stop here.