Are most Catholics in America going to hell? [OPEN THREAD]

National Catholic Register ^ | 6/21/2013 | Jimmy Akin

[markomalley]

When you look around society today, it doesn’t look good.

Even in the Church, people are committing abortion and contraception.

They are sleeping together outside of marriage, using porn, and doing a host of other things that can endanger their souls.

It can be tempting to conclude that most Catholics in America today are going to go to hell.

Is the situation that bleak?

 

A Question from a Reader

A reader writes:

I belong to a great parish, full of wonderful people who love God and neighbor.

However, I can't help but be aware that at least from an objective viewpoint, most of them seem to be in a state of mortal sin per the Church's teaching. 

The most common one is the use of contraception, but there are plenty of others, including cohabitation prior to marriage, remarriage outside the Church, etc. 

The Church views all these things as mortal sins, although it's clear these people don't view them that way. 

Our society at this moment makes it really difficult for people, especially young people, to do what the Church expects. 

I also know that most of these people genuinely and sincerely do not believe they are sinning.  They continue to pray, to attend Mass, and have faith in Christ, which indicates to me that they don't desire to cut themselves off from God.  

Is it truly likely that the vast majority of American Catholics will end up in hell?

What can we say here?

[Elsie]

We need to be active in our faith, not passive.

Yeah... THIS is working quite well in THIS thread!

[Carpe Cerevisi]

"That is a rather astounding statement. Is this from weekly attendance? "

Yes.

[al_c]

Ah yes ... open religous discussions on FR. Feel the love. ;-)

[daniel1212]

In my fifteen years of being a Catholic I have yet to hear a homily that mentioned the evils of contraception, pornography, cohabitation outside of marriage, etc. It makes it quite difficult for the average Catholic to be aware of these things when they are never discussed by the local deacon, priest or bishop.

"That is a rather astounding statement. Is this from weekly attendance?"

Yes.

While for the most part this report is in contrast to evangelical churches overall, sadly the modern version of these missed the boat on contraception. And among other things, it may have cost conservatives the last election.

[Elsie]

Feel the love. ;-)

People get love.'

Bad theology gets what it deserves: exposure.

[RedHeeler]

I am glad we agree.

[Coleus]

BTTT