Millions Are Sure Catholics Are Not Sure

[Ayodhya Nath Bhat]

Millions Are Sure Catholics Are Not Sure

The most unsure people in the world are Roman Catholics. Ask them whether or not they will go to heaven, and they'll answer, "I hope so! I'm trying to do enough good to make it." They are taught that no matter how many good works they do, or how many times they go to mass, they are never quite sure it is enough. This uncertainty is their priest's tool to keep them tightly under control.

Actually, they believe that no one can ever be sure. They consider it the sin of presumption to have saving faith… to believe that you are saved! Even the popes expect to suffer in purgatory's fires until they are "cleansed."

Millions don't bother to go to mass, or show up at confession. Yet when approached with the gospel they say, "No thanks, I'm Catholic." If they don't act like Catholics all their lives, what is it they are trusting?

When baptized as an infant, they receive their "membership" in the Roman Catholic Church. Though they may never act like a good Catholic, they still expect a priest to give them the Last Rites before death to help sneak them through the pearly gates. They are counting on it!  

So they live on, hoping for the best, never quite sure if God will let them into heaven. Meanwhile the TV crowd assures them that the "faith" they have in "good works" is as good as any other.

Eventually, they come to their last breath. Still unsure if they have been "good enough," they call the priest to give the last rites. In this final ceremony their church doesn't even claim to deliver heaven, just enough grace to reduce the time God will fry them in purgatory's fires.

Such pathetic faith! Jesus died to give them so much more. Yet they are persuaded they can never gain such a gift through simple faith. Jesus, not a priest, is the key to heaven's gate.

In one way, Catholics are right. No matter how hard you try, you can never do enough good works to earn heaven. Now let's tell them that Jesus has already paid the price. It's free!

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[Melody]

I actually agree with some stuff that's written here!

Many Catholics (& not "Millions" - where did you get that figure from?) don't bother to go to mass, or show up at confession.

Also,

Even the popes expect to suffer in purgatory's fires until they are "cleansed."

But if you read our thread on Purgatory, you will understand that this is not the bad thing that this article is making it out to be.

Also,

When baptized as an infant, they receive their "membership" in the Roman Catholic Church. Though they may never act like a good Catholic, they still expect a priest to give them the Last Rites before death to help sneak them through the pearly gates. They are counting on it!

True. So many people take their faith for granted. But if you're honest you'll find 'second-generation' Christians too. Who're born in the Christian faith & perhaps baptized (at whatever age/whatever process) but who don't act like good Christians. I know a couple and you may too. I see this as being a problem to be tackled wrt to individuals & not a Doctrine.


Also,
A lot of Catholics aren't sure about their faith. That's why it's upto us - though who have had some personal experiences with the Lord Jesus Christ - to reach out to our brethren who haven't.

There is however some points in here which are not true:

Actually, they believe that no one can ever be sure. They consider it the sin of presumption to have saving faith… to believe that you are saved!

Which part of the CCC did you get that from?

Also,

The most unsure people in the world are Roman Catholics.

Where did you get those stats from?

And

Meanwhile the TV crowd assures them that the "faith" they have in "good works" is as good as any other.

Just whom are you referering to by the 'TV Crowd' ??

And what makes you think this is a Catholic point of view? Which part of the CCC says that "the "faith" they have in "good works" is as good as any other."


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Ayodhya,

I know you feel strongly against the Catholic faith & the Catholic teachings. But perhaps that's because you have been taught what you believe by Christians who have a tainted and incorrect view of the Catholic faith.

If you truly want to know about Catholicism, study/read the CCC or Catholic view points on these issues. The site Catholic.com also might be helpful to you in this regard.

Blessings,

Melody

[Rev. Eric]

Hi all,

I am renting a PC at Kinkos, so I will make this brief.  (Well, as brief as Your's Truly is capable).

The question as to whether or not any Christian has assurance of heaven needs to be weighed between the virtues of love, faith and hope.

Love:  Salvation is a gift won for us by Jesus and freely offered by our Heavenly Father.  But because it is a gift of love, it cannot be forced.  So long as we are on this earth (and in the realm of time) we are free to accept or reject this gift.  Once we die, we are judged and our decision becomes final (as in eternal).

We are judged by how we said "yes" to this gift of salvation.  It is not simply a spoken affirmation or a mental consent.  Actions speak louder than words.  We can say "yes" to Jesus but still lead sinful lives.  When we willingly sin, we say "no" to Jesus in our hearts and by our actions.  Hence, we need to engage in regular repentance and participate in the things that Christ has given us to help us stay on the straight and narrow (prayer, bible reading, sacraments, etc.).

So how far do we go to say "yes" or "no" to God?  Only God knows, He sets the agenda.  Jesus is the Judge as to who actually attains heaven or ends up in hell.  Fr. Mich Pacwa (of EWTN) is sometimes asked whether a certain person is in heaven or hell.  He responds, "That's a management question; I'm in sales."

Faith:  A Christian has faith in the resurrection and has faith in the promises of God.  In other words, we have faith in the plan of salvation won for us by Jesus.

Hope:  Am I certain that I will go to heaven?  No.  Because while I am still on earth, I still have the freedom to accept or reject God, and I don't know where He draws the line.  But I hope that I am saved.  I have hope that if I follow the way of Jesus, I will properly participate in the salvation He won for me.

But if I say that I am certain that I will go to heaven, I commit the sin of presumption.  I judge myself rather than let God be my judge.  There are two sins against the virtue of hope.  One is despair (I am doomed and nothing will change it) and the other is presumption (everything is a certainty and I need not worry about something going wrong).

I don't have my bible with me, so I can't give any notations, but I will point out that the bible describes what, in my opinion, are examples of Christians going to hell.
1) Gospel of Luke's parable of the Sheep and the Goats.  The sheep and goats call Jesus "Lord."  Only Christians call Jesus "Lord."  The goats are going to hell based on teh lack of charity with which they lived their lives.  They are surprised to hear Jesus' judgement.  They thought they had a certainty of salvation.  How do I, personally, know that I am not a goat?  If they could fool themselves, could I not be fool myself.

2)  The parable of the wise and foolish virgins.  These virgins are awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom.  Only Christians await the arrival of the bridegroom.  And yet the foolish virgins did not properly plan for His arrival.  I see this as Christians who did not properly participate in the gift of salvation won for them.  When the Bridegroom arrives, they end up locked outside of the wedding festivites and they are surprised to discover this.  I think this involves Christians ending up in hell.  If these virgins were foolish, could I also not end up like them if I am not careful?

So that is my take on the whole thing of heaven and the sin of presumption.  I suggest (and this is my personal opinion) that any Christian who emphatically states that he is going to heaven is not "working out his salvation in fear and trembling" as Paul tells us.  He is also suggesting that God has removed his gift of freewill, as it seems that he believes he is no longer capable of falling from grace and ending up in hell.

Well, that's a brief post, for you!

I will be back in a couple of days.  Everyone have a great weekend.

God bless,
-Eric

[DavidFilmer]

If Ayodhya plans to cut-and-paste the works of others, the least he could do is attribute it. Ayodhya plagerized this content from the magazine "Battle Cry," published by Jack Chick Publications (Jack Chick is a professional anti-Catholic). FWIW, the tag-line of Battle Cry is, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

Ayodhya copied his posting from the Battle Cry issue Copyright Sept/Oct, 1994:

http://www.chick.com/bc/1994/noassurance.asp