I am a Catholic and Christian. I think Purgatory is wishful thinking. There is absolutely no scriptural refence nor did any of our Lord's teachings. The Bible says that a man dies once and faces the judgement. Heaven or Hell? There is no other place.
Dear DarthVader,
Well, I don't know what your understanding of Purgatory is. I will say that to the degree that Purgatory is defined dogmatically, Catholics are required to believe it. But Catholics are only required to believe what the Church definitively teaches, not the thoughts, opinions, or speculations of others.
"The Bible says that a man dies once and faces the judgement. Heaven or Hell?"
The doctrine of Purgatory isn't in conflict with that. After death, we are all judged, and we are either saved or damned at the time of judgment. There is no third option. Every single soul who endures Purgatory is saved. Purgatory is not a "second chance" at salvation. If you go to Purgatory, you are already saved.
Purgatory is just what its name proclaims - it is the process by which the soul that has died in a state of grace, the soul that is already saved, is purged, is perfected, cleansed of any lingering attachment to sin.
Catholics are required to believe this.
sitetest