Mel Gibson says his wife could be going to hell

MSNBC ^ | 02/10/04 | Jeannette Walls

[evets]

Gibson was interviewed by the Herald Sun in Australia, and the reporter asked the star if Protestants are denied eternal salvation. “There is no salvation for those outside the Church,” Gibson replied. “I believe it.” He elaborated: “Put it this way. My wife is a saint. She’s a much better person than I am. Honestly. She’s, like, Episcopalian, Church of England. She prays, she believes in God, she knows Jesus, she believes in that stuff. And it’s just not fair if she doesn’t make it, she’s better than I am. But that is a pronouncement from the chair. I go with it.”

[NotQuiteCricket]

You are right - I'm wrong. Luther tried to reform the church, but it didn't work out...he wasn't worried about people outside of the church to begin with - he was upset because they were selling indulgences (give a priest money, be forgiven for your sins). He was then excommunicated and started his own church.

That better?

[biblewonk]

This is my problem with Catholicism in a nutshell. Too many people listening to what a man says rather than what the Bible says. That'll get you into a world of trouble every time.

So true. Catholicism is a big club of human spiritual hero's and leaders and the bible is a token for name dropping only.

[Future Snake Eater]

I sure am glad that I don't judge the efficacy of my Protestant brethern's faith based on a sampling of their services.

Do you consider yourself to be both a Catholic and a Protestant? If not, then I'd say you have indeed made that judgment. Not with any malice intended, but just as something that suits your personal beliefs and convictions. I have done the same with Catholicism. I don't really understand the draw to it, but I acknowledge it, and I understand the importance of the Catholics in the history of Christianity.

[Maximilian]

Just read Pope John Paul II's Book "Crossing the Threshold of Hope" and you will see that your statement is born out of ignorance and prejudice.

Someone is demonstrating ignorance and prejudice, but it's not Mel Gibson. JPII's book is not a statement of Catholic doctrine. Nor can a dogma change. If it was ever dogma at any time, then it must remain so for all eternity. Truth is not dependent on the decade or the century.

[lady lawyer]

LOL. That's hilarious.

[fishtank]

I hope Mel will realize that salvation is in Christ and not in Rome.

[Gamecock]

When a pope teaches in contradiction to centuries of Catholic doctrine, it is a source of grave scandal. That is why Mel Gibson practices the traditional Catholic faith, not the Vatican II version.

Sounds like two denominations...

[ZULU]

NOBODY knows what God will do. I believe He will judge us all by the lives we lead. I think even decent non-Christians can be saved.

Christ died ofr all men, not just Catholics, or even Christians for that matter.

Gibson is not even speaking Orthodox Catholicism here. Orthodox Catholciism's position is that as long as a person does not believe that the Catholic Church is the only true church and yet does not convert, that persoon can still be saved.

He should go back and check oout his own religion.

So much for visiting those Evangelical Protestants with his movie.

[Maximilian]

The doctrine you allege that the Church teaches has not been the doctrin for over 50 years.

So you believe that something that was Catholic doctrine can become not Catholic doctrine? This is a bigger issue even than "Extra ecclessia, non salus." If something is a truth of the Catholic faith, it can never become a falsehood.

[pissant]

is it safe to assume that you don't go to one of those churches where the preacher walks around with the Bible in his hand, quotes a few scriptures, then incoherently babbles his interpretations about what it really means and how giving him more money is surely one of the requirements?

[CCCnative]

the Catholic Church now recognizes baptisms done by many other Christian denominations as being valid.
Yes that is true. I think that is since Vatican II. Mr. Gibson's strain of Catholicism regects some or all of Vatican II, I think, which would explain his stance on those Christians outside the Catholic Church. For more info check out www.catholic.com.

[StolarStorm]

I don't understand the draw of charismatic churches. They just strike me as silly and pretentious. Bunch of people trying to demonstrate in public how holy they are by shouting and speaking in tongues. But really its all a matter of personal taste.

[erswts]

I attended Notre Dame in the 50's. Even then the church was more conservative than it is now and I am staying with my statement. You seem to be a bit "uptight" about the church and focused on the material, rather than the spiritual. I wonder if red or white wine was served at the last supper? Gee, could it be an important element of salvation if the receipe for the host is so critical. I thought about making a comment about your meds but that would not be nice.

[CobaltBlue]

I've never heard of Catholic Sunday school, either.

It's usually called CCD, but I think usually it's not during Mass. Most Catholic kids go to Catholic school and get religious education there, but if not, CCD during the week.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I am a lifelong Catholic and spent 9 years in Catholic school, and I was never taught that you must be Catholic to be saved. Never.

- Were you ever taught that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, never had sexual intercourse after she gave birth to Jesus?
- Were you ever taught that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was without sin?
- Were you ever taught that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was a co-redemptrix with Jesus?
-Were you ever taught that the unleaven bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ?

My wife had a strict Catholic upbringing and went to Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school and she was taught all of this man-made juju and much, much more.

I liken the Catholic church to a ship that is in dire need of some time in dry-dock. Scrape all the barnacles of Catholic tradition off her, sand and paint her hull and she'll be fit to carry trusting passengers again.

[CJ Wolf]

Darn, I thought he was a Jew.

[CobaltBlue]

It seems to me that you left out some steps along the way to how Luther got excommunicated. ;^)

[Jaded]

Gee, Mel said this would happen more and more the closer it got to the opening of the movie.

[EllaMinnow]

I am well aware of what CCD is, and it is never called "Sunday school."

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

One day as a teen, I woke up with the full knowledge that the Almighty was inclusive rather than exclusive.

The Almighty what? And just what exactly is this Almighty you speak of inclusive about?