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Are most Catholics in America going to hell? [OPEN THREAD]
National Catholic Register ^ | 6/21/2013 | Jimmy Akin

Posted on 06/21/2013 4:07:10 AM PDT by 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?

(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...


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To: DumbestOx

“...It’s more certain that the American bishops have gone/are going to Hell...”

Amen - our bishop allows Andrew abortion king Cuomo communion in his cathedral!!

PS Love your name! St. THomas Aquinas - ora pro nobis!!


21 posted on 06/21/2013 7:04:33 AM PDT by stonehouse01 (Equal rights for unborn women)
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To: Alex Murphy
Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Most of any people are going to hell.

Catholics are not exempt, neither are any other denominations.

It's merely a matter of percentages. In some denominations there will be higher or lower percentages of those going to heaven, or hell, but since denominations don't save but faith is Christ does, there will be a mix in any church.

22 posted on 06/21/2013 7:10:07 AM PDT by metmom (For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore & do not submit again to a yoke of slavery)
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To: Carpe Cerevisi
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.

Fortunately, our Church is not centered around a homily. It goes much deeper than that. But that requires work on our part. The Catechism is full of information that most nominal Catholics don't know ... or refuse to know. And there are so many other resources (see Lighthouse Media) that we can use to deepen our understanding of our faith.

If we rely on homilies only, we may never get to a complete understanding.

23 posted on 06/21/2013 7:25:51 AM PDT by al_c (http://www.blowoutcongress.com)
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To: Phlap
Pope: it's wrong to think our enemies must go to hell
24 posted on 06/21/2013 7:27:07 AM PDT by al_c (http://www.blowoutcongress.com)
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“Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10


25 posted on 06/21/2013 7:28:47 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham (Electorate data confirms Resolute Conservative voted for Soetoro)
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To: Tax-chick
What I encounter is just mindless relativism and wishful thinking,

Sounds like over half the population and three quarters or more of the Millenials.

26 posted on 06/21/2013 7:31:59 AM PDT by NeoCaveman (DC, it's Versailles on the Potomac but without the food and culture)
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To: NeoCaveman

I get the impression that a lot of people never read.


27 posted on 06/21/2013 7:34:19 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Does Bill have a job yet?)
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To: al_c

But the reality is that most Catholics don’t read the Catechism and Bible on their own. Therefore, our priests must use their time to preach and teach at Mass wisely.


28 posted on 06/21/2013 7:34:33 AM PDT by piusv
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To: markomalley

They may be going to Heaven, eventually, but they have a long Purgatory ahead. Also, they are paying a price (along with the rest of us) in this world. Their sin is hurting them and their community in various ways and they are suffering problems that people who avoid those sins never have.


29 posted on 06/21/2013 7:46:53 AM PDT by married21
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To: Tax-chick

**What I encounter is just mindless relativism**

I encounter this too. Although I usually open my mouth and not just stare. LOL!


30 posted on 06/21/2013 7:56:12 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: markomalley

What Mortal Sin Is

1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.”


To repeat!

Grave Matter

Full Knowledge

Deliberate Consent


31 posted on 06/21/2013 8:02:13 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: markomalley

Thanks.


32 posted on 06/21/2013 8:08:33 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: markomalley
This title might read: Are most Catholics Christians in America going to hell? [OPEN THREAD]

How many non-Catholics practice contraception?

Do they know it's a grave matter -- not allowing an egg to be fertilized? And if they know about it -- do they fully consent to contracepting?

Definitely something for all of us who are reading this thread and DO KNOW that this is a mortal sin that can put one into hell.

33 posted on 06/21/2013 8:20:11 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: markomalley

Polytheism is of the Devil.

Is it ever.


34 posted on 06/21/2013 8:25:54 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: Salvation

I did say I was staring, open-mouthed. It beats saying, “Has anyone ever told you you’re a blithering idiot?


35 posted on 06/21/2013 8:36:58 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Does Bill have a job yet?)
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To: markomalley

There will be some Catholics in Heaven.
There will be some Presbyterians in Hell.

As far as the number, that’s WAY above my pay grade.

Next question.


36 posted on 06/21/2013 9:06:10 AM PDT by Gamecock ("Ultimately, Jesus died to save us from the wrath of God." —R.C. Sproul)
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To: Gamecock

How can we get Obama to stay in Africa?


37 posted on 06/21/2013 9:09:26 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Does Bill have a job yet?)
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To: markomalley

Without regard to denomination, there is no believer in Jesus Christ (the meaning of the word being “as used by Jesus Himself”), who is going to hell, and there is no unbeliever who is going to heaven.


38 posted on 06/21/2013 9:16:04 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! True supporters of our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: Tax-chick

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

It can be tempting to conclude that most everyone other than one’s perfect self is going to hell. However, we need to remember that the definition of “temptation” is “an incitement to sin.” The proper response to this temptation is not to indulge in some pleasureable Friday-morning mudslinging, but to flee from it.
_______________________

Exactly.


39 posted on 06/21/2013 9:25:52 AM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Never Forget the Seals of Extortion 17 - and God Bless America)
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To: pax_et_bonum

I read “The Enchanted April” this month, although I haven’t gotten around to watching the movie.


40 posted on 06/21/2013 10:48:37 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Does Bill have a job yet?)
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