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CTQUERNER wrote:
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Why do most Catholics believe everyone who is (good) goes
to heaven? They say all other non Christian faiths are ignorant
and therefore go to heaven. I would have to say with so much
available with the web, books, TV, radio, I cannot feel ignorance
is an excuse. Sure some tribal guy in South America, but not
in Iran, Iraq, etc.
I believe Jesus said God would let him make the decision on
who went to heaven, and he said, "You must believe in me."
- Why does the Church waste missionaries if these people are
going to heaven anyway?
- In fact, if a person was going to heaven
because of ignorance, and then someone told them about Jesus
and they did not believe, then they would go to hell. Therefore,
why would Jesus tell people to go and tell them about Him,
if this would damn them instead of a ignorance plea which
got them to heaven?
I believe Catholics do not go out and talk about Christ except
to other Catholics, because they do not feel it is necessary.
Thanks!
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Isn't
the ignorance or goodness of people enough? Why waste time
with missionaries? }
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John replied:
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Hi, --
Close But no cigar! The Church does not teach that all who are good
will go to Heaven. The Church says that the Christ can save whom
He wishes to save. The Church is limited to preaching the Gospel
of faith in Christ and Baptism. However God is not limited to anything!!!
God gives grace to whom ever he sees fit. Furthermore, St. Paul
in the book of Romans spoke of those not having the Law, but doing
the Law being a Law unto themselves.
The Bible says that God desires all men to be saved, therefore in
the case of everyone's salvation, the Church puts that in the hands
of God relying on His grace and Mercy. Finally, if a non-believer
is saved, then it because of Christ's shed Blood, not because of
their own righteousness or through their own religion.
Having said that, it is sad that more Catholics don't share Christ.
That does not mean the Churches doctrines are incorrect. It means
we have lukewarm Catholics.
Hope this clears things up.
Under His Mercy,
John DiMascio
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Mike replied:
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I wanted reply to the second part of your comment, you
said:
[Why does the Church waste missionaries
if these people are going to heaven anyway? In fact,
if a person was going to heaven because of ignorance,
and then someone told them about Jesus and they did
not believe, then they would go to hell. Therefore,
why would Jesus tell people to go and tell them about
Him, if this would damn them instead of a ignorance
plea which got them to heaven? I believe Catholics
do not go out and talk about Christ except to other
Catholics, because they do not feel it is necessary.]
Each of us has a personal culpability or responsibility
for what we know, and all mankind, men and women are
culpable for developing their faith in a fuller measure
than is it now.
For the Catholic, this means studying more about the
Church, knowing her teachings, and living a prayerful,
sacramental Christian life.
For the Protestant, this means studying the Word of
God more, and being open to the Biblical foundations
of the Catholic faith that can be very easily found in
the Holy Scriptures.
For the Jewish believer, this means studying the Old
Testament and its teachings and being open to faith-sharing
conversations with Christians.
For other faiths, this means being open to the natural
law that is written on their hearts.
In each situation, we CANNOT rationalize out of what
we should do! Your asking such a question shows that
your salvation will NOT depend on your ignorance but
on how much you develop your love for the Truth that
you know, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit
in your life.
Your brother in prayer, your brother in Christ,
Mike Humphrey
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