"Believe or go to hell" What's up with that?

Question

Yes I am a very strong Catholic of seventeen years and there is so much I don't know. But I do know that threats never solved anything. In fact they only create more resentment and hatred towards you and what you believe in. Why do so many christians say this? (note: I do realize that there are lots that don't, but I have heard about a lot that do)
Is it because they are not strong in their faith and can offer not better argument to defend what they believe in? I would never answer this way, in fact I leave the whole matter alone. We are called to pray for them, what more is needed? If you truly believe then you know the power of pray.

I also do not bash other religions, some of my best friends are pagan, wiccian, jewish, or atheist. Should I despise them simply because of what they believe? No! We are called to hate the sin, but LOVE the sinner.

Remember that, even if you just think of me as some crazy Catholic that hasn't a clue.

I did not try to say that those who believe differently from me are evil, but some people do and that phrase was for them. Sorry if it offened anyone.

Answer 1

You are a rare breed - an enlightened Christian, and a Catholic no less. I do NOT say this to bash any faith, but so many simply follow and never think. Thinking, knowledge, and wisdom are blessings from God, and should be treasured. Many churches don't encourage this idea, but I would encourage you to continue on this path. Stay steadfast in your faith if that's what works for you, but do it with an open mind, read about ideas other than what might be taught in your specific church, and keep thinking for yourself. You're simply using the mind and the abilities that God gave you!

Answer 2

Have you read your bible? Most Catholics I've met never have or they just got bogged down by the many extra books in the Catholic bible and gave up. You do have to remember that regardless of whether you are a Catholic or a Christian - a Priest or a Monk - everyone is at a different place in their spiritual journey. Hell is real but it's not usually an effective tactic to draw people to a real and personal Savior. The only effective way to lead a person to Christ is through relationship - afterall - that's the whole point. Yeah - I'm not a Catholic basher - but once I went to my sister in law's Catholic Church and cried for an hour after the mass because they nullified my entire life, faith and even my marriage and ministry efforts by saying that if you're not married by a Priest - you're not really married. If you don't give money to a Catholic church - that means nothing to God. If you don't get forgiveness through a Priest in confession - you have no forgiveness. If you don't marry in a Catholic church with a Catholic Priest - your marriage is null and void. That nonsense most certainly is not in my Bible and it's not in the Catholic one either. So - there are nut cases on your side of the equation too who are clueless about drawing people into Catholicism. Personally, I have everything I need in Christ anyway - but now I avoid the Catholic church like the plague - because I don't ever want my kids to hear such nonsense and be told their lives are null and void because they don't try to be good Catholics. Even if I did try to go along with Catholicism - I'd be empty and void in my heart because it's a Savior I need and Hell is a real place. In fact, Jesus talks about it in the scriptures quite a bit. That's some worthwhile reading to do! But for someone who doesn't know you to try and share true Christianity by screaming about hell just doesn't know how to establish a good relationship with a person and then look for opportunities when they are asking to learn more about it. That's how I find it works best. You live a life worthy of people asking questions and then you use words. I think it was even Mother Theresa who said to live the gospel through your life and when necessary use words. If it wasn't Mother Theresa it was some other Catholic person who said it. My favorite movie is the Mission - if you haven't seen it - you really should. It's about this Jesuit Priest guy - I won't give it away - but he has his theology on completely straight - it's the most perfect example that I can think of of a person sharing Christ effectively that was ever done by Hollywood. That would really show you what I mean. It's long - but completely and totally breathtaking and worth it to check out.

Answer 3

Interesting thought. If I'm not mistaken, Catholic theology is semi-Pelagian, which is fairly close to the Arminian theology of many Protestant beliefs. Both support free will, and "choice" amounts to an end game where that choice decides an eternity in heaven or hell. You're right, I haven't heard any arguments like this from the Catholic side, only the Protestants do this. Perhaps it has something to do with the salvation question that is often posed by Protestants, "are you saved?" To the Catholics, salvation doesn't happen until after death, and they are more concerned with the process while they are alive on earth. Protestants take a slightly different view, with salvation dates that may put more emphasis on "believe or go to hell" statements.

Answer 4

Because Catholics are Christians, their God is a loving god, full of compassion for all his children, and in no way would He condone the kind of threats of which you speak. Those that indulge in that kind of negative exhortations are not true Catholics or Christians either. That being said, down through the centuries since the Catholic religion was established, many officials in this branch of Christianity indulged in a great many non-Christian behaviors, from the Inquisitions of the Middle Ages to the pedophilia of the 20th century, and were responsible for a great deal of misery among the common people. This is one reason I have very little patience with organized religion.

Answer 5

I really don't understand what you are talking about. Are saying that Christians should judge or be judgmental? And that Christians shouldn't love sin but love the sinner? Well I am now non denominational. I grew up baptist and went to Lutheran school. I have been baptized and believe that Jesus died for my sins. I believe the Bible is truth from God. And meant for us all on his wonderful earth to read it, learn it , know it , as a means of communication with him and learning how to live in his world. I believe we are ALL sinners; Christian, Catholic, Baptist, Atheist, crazy, purple, gay, or green. I believe in this life we should respect, love, and help one another no matter what religion, race, or anything else you are or are not. This is my opinion to you and to anyone else who reads this. God is the head of everything and I mean EVERYTHING that we do. Wither if we want it that way or not, religious, black/ white, rich, poor, or what ever you are or are not. I believe we ALL should be fair to each other, RESPECT all, and don't be so quick to judge. Because the only one that can judge us is GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And as far as if Christians go to heaven and sinners go to hell. Only God knows our hearts. Only he knows and only can he judge any of us. And on the day of our judgement only he can determine based upon the life that we lived where our souls will go. That's not for me or you to decide. That's why God has given us a source to go for reference other than Christians or a pastor, etc. THE HOLY BIBLE.

Answer 6

Here is my take (as a former Catholic) for what its worth. If you look at the history of religious organizations you will see that the overarching theme for the hierarchy is power and control. Threat of eternal damnation is a great motivator in getting more people to believe your sales pitch over others. Did the parable of the good Samaritan end with the the disclaimer that he eventually went to hell despite his good nature? Of course not. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Always question motives.

Answer 7

That is wonderful. I am glad you have an open heart!

Just a thought for you: Love the sinner? I am choosing to assume that you are a good person and your best friends are also good people as well. Does their different beliefs make them sinners in your eyes? Everyone should be able to find their own path to happiness and enlightenment. Just because they choose a different path does not make them less perfect or to have more sin, whichever way you choose to see it. I am sure you would not like to be viewed as a sinner due to your religious affiliation.

Answer 8

The Jesuit journal La Civiltà Cattolica observed: "It is misleading . . . to think that God, by means of demons, inflicts fearful torments on the damned like that of fire." It added: "Hell exists, not as a place but as a state, a way of being of the person who suffers the pain of the deprivation of God." Pope John Paul II said in 1999: "Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy." As to the images of hell as a fiery place, he said: "They show the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God." Had the pope described hell in terms of "flames and a red-suited devil with a pitchfork," church historian Martin Marty said, "people wouldn't take it seriously."

Answer 9

nicelyevolve,"rely on humanity" for its ethics and not on Biblical precepts?I won't say not to use biblical precepts,but there are many more attrocities commited throughout history
by seculiar humanity than any committed by religious and or biblical roots.
Are you prepared to do whatever someone else tells you just because they don't like your breed,race,look,belief.Left to "humanity" the strong would dictate whatever policy they dreamt up.
That's the difficulty in accepting an agnostic view is the naivity of believing in the inherent good of humanity.

Answer 10

um, actually the catholic forum is more likley to say this. prodestant religions don't do this, they explain, etc. Denomination's like the Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Baptists are some examples. I have no idea who told you Chirstains say that but they don't. Catholics maybe.

And also about they "hate the sin, love the sinner", being jewish doesn't make you a sinner ;] in fact if you read the BIBLE Jesus was a JEW and God says that before they enter the gates of heaven he will "give his people another chance".

Also I have no idea who you "heard" this from but few Chirstains say that, except water downs who think they're perfect!