What do Roman Catholics believe about Hell now?

[TAJR]

Originally Posted by Vizio

Hell is true? It's just a fact. Why would we want to hide that? Until we understand what Christ did for us, we don't understand the love of God.

I also believe in the existence of Hell. Our disagreements, if they're there, is more on the nature of Hell than its existence.

And even then I do worry that mere separation doesn't fit the Bible, the Councils, or the visions of saints. I do think possibly "a dark place of gnashing teeth" might, and be less inhumane sounding then fiery torment, but I do wonder if "Hell is a dark place where those separated from God live in eternal regret" would even be properly Biblical.

Originally Posted by Vizio

I get that--you place more emphasis on the Church's teachings and traditions. I would argue that maybe you ought to pay more attention to the teachings of the apostles.

They are critically important. Peter, James, John.

Originally Posted by Vizio

So? I've seen Catholics that believe in voodoo. It doesn't mean it's official church teaching. Nor are prayers for the dead based in the Torah.

It's in Jewish tradition, the Septuagint, etc.

The E-l Malei Prayer for a Man - The Yizkor Service - OU.ORG
Yizkor: Recalling the Dead - Death & Mourning - "This memorial service is founded on a vital principle of Jewish life, one that motivates and animates the Kaddish recitation. It is based on the firm belief that the living, by acts of piety and goodness, can redeem the dead."

Originally Posted by Vizio

Nonsense. The apocrypha was never part of the Bible.

I respect that that is Protestant teaching. I just think it's at least arguable that teaching is supported in generally accepted history. Sure the deuterocanonical books aren't in the current Jewish canon, but they were in the oldest Christian bibles. Codex Sinaiticus, etc.

Codex Sinaiticus - Home
Oldest known Bible goes online - CNN.com

That being said I'll grant Melito's canon is similar to the Protestant, if briefer, while Athanasius's list of books apparently is as well except that Athanasius apparently included Baruch. The third Council of Carthage looks to have given the non-Reformation canon of the Old Testament. (Although I must concede the African Councils do not look to have been among the Ecumenical Councils, but I don't know if any of the first seven Councils proposed a canon more like the Masoretic or Protestant)

The Third Council of Carthage on the Canon of Scripture

But discomfort on the historicity of the deuterocanonical books, and on varying from the Jewish canon, presumably lead to the Reformation version of the canon which is held by that minority of Christians who are of Reformation denominations. (The majority of the world's Christians being Catholic or Eastern)

Originally Posted by Vizio

Do you mean sheep and goats?

D'oh. Yes of course.

Originally Posted by Vizio

Sure we do. We just don't have a vocation for it. One could certainly argue that the idea of hiding away in a monastery goes against the Great Commission to go make disciples.

Preacher isn't the only vocation in the New Testament. Many monastics serve a function as teachers which is also recognized.

[stargazzer]

Originally Posted by JerZ

I'm sorry, I answered you the best I could. I was directly answering your question to me, or thought I was. I am lost at this point, not sure what you wanted answered. Perhaps you can PM me and try to explain what it is you want.

thats ok and thanks...its only a talk thing and supposed to be a nice break in the day...all I was wondering was what your thinking was in this topic because you were very passionate with the idea in reply that I quoted...so it doesn't really matter and sometimes thinking about these things has a way of its own or just keeps going in curiosity, which seems good to go and serves well in most ways.

[Ceist]

Originally Posted by Vizio

Making sure their beliefs line up with scripture has never really been a major cause of concern for the Catholic church. They just need to make sure their doctrines jive with past "infallible statements" by previous popes.

And the religious cults based on 'sola scriptura', cherry-pick and interpret scripture to line up with their own beliefs. That's why there is so many of them.