Posted on 03/16/2023 5:51:01 PM PDT by marshmallow
The pope's latest scandalous comments contradict the teachings of the Church Fathers on the existence of Hell.
VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — In an interview to mark his 10-year anniversary, Pope Francis appeared to deny the existence of Hell, saying that “is not a place” but is instead simply “a state of the heart” and “a posture towards life.”
The pontiff’s comments formed part of a lengthy conversation conducted by Argentinian news site Perfil, one of a number of recent interviews the Pope granted journalists to mark his decade upon the papal throne. Touching on a number of topics he discussed with other reporters, Francis also spoke about his philosophical and theological thought, along with aspects relating to global politics.
As part of the in-depth discussion, Francis was asked, “What is your own interpretation of Hell and paradise, and what happens to people who go to Hell, and what happens to those who go to paradise?”
Giving a trademark lengthy, convoluted, and somewhat evasive answer, Francis appeared to deny the existence of Hell as an actual place. “Hell is not a place,” he said. “If one goes to attend the Last Judgment, and sees the faces of those who go to Hell, one gets scared. If you read Dante, you get scared. But these are media representations.”
Expanding on his answer, Francis described Hell simply as “a state” — a description which appeared to refer to a state of mind. “Hell is a state, there are people who live in Hell continuously.”
He clarified that he was not referring to suffering generally, but to “those who make a world of bad or sick self-referentiality, and end up living in Hell.”
Hell is a state, it is a state of the heart, of the soul, of a posture towards life.......
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...
Pope Francis is a liberation theology tool; he’ll be gone soon enough. Pray for him.
The jokers who elected him are the real problem.
He’s on a mission, not from God.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Luke 16:22-28)
This is a true story as well as representing two classes of souls. Jesus never used real names in any parable, nor science fiction, as instead in parable He used known physical realities (a pearl, a sheep, etc.) which represented a spiritual reality. But if there is no conscious torment after death, then Christ would be referring to something that would be science fiction, not a known physical reality,that of interminable torment after physical death, in an environment that is contrary to known laws of physics (otherwise a drop - which is all the damned sould dared ask for - of water would evaporate).
Likewise,
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:42-48)
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:41-42)
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:50)
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11)
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
Why did the Vatican install an atheist Pope? What is the point? May as well dissolve the Catholic Church!
A church without faith is a church without life. This Pope wants the bride of Christ dead.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)
See post above, May God grant you “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:25)
When the pope (head of a religion calling itself Christianity) outright contradicts Jesus, shouldn’t he be removed?
The jokers who elected him (Bergoglio) are the real problem.
- - - - - - -
One might want to believe they didn’t know what they were getting.
Peter the Roman - the last Pope. Ain’t going to be anything left to be Pope over after this demon possessed fool splits hell wide open.
Well, this is handy. He can be our resident expert. When he gets there, he can send us a first-hand report on whether it's the fiery furnace or merely the state of having an evil, black heart.
The church has survived worse than him. He is a blip on the screen.
Just like Biden is not America, Francis is not the Word. Catholics who keep true to the Word have God in their heart, know Christ is their Savior, and ignore him.
I suspect he will soon find out the truth. I’ll have no sympathy for him. The Bible and God’s Word is available who all that seek the truth. When you refuse to accept His word your name is removed from the Book of Life.
Thank you for those lovely words. God bless you.
The Catholic hatred that I see on display here on a regular basis is shocking and sad. I pray for the haters.
I was there once, but then I realized I was just in downtown North Hollywood.
So true.
::. This Pope wants the bride of Christ dead.::
~~~~
But he will not succeed. The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against Christ’s Church.
Well-said.
Actually, several Jews have told me over the years (including a self-identified Orthodox Jew), that Judaism does not believe in an afterlife. No Heaven, no Hell.
John Paul, however, was much admired and respected as a true believer by many, of not most of us.
No literal or actual hell - really? When a pope contradicts the Son of God, that pope is standing on shifting sand.
There is wisdom in your words.
Neither The RCC nor Martin gave us the Bible. God did. It is blasphemy to claim His power as yours.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.