Pope Denies Existence Of Hell - Many People Are Outraged.
I am Catholic and am stunned by Pope Francis’ claim regarding the existence of hell. He was asked by an Italian newspaper about what happens to the soles of evil people. The pope answer this question by saying that he thinks evil souls just disappear after they die and that they are not subject to eternal punishment.
Now this is a bombshell of the highest magnitude. Whether hell exists is always subject to interpretation. I obviously respect people’s views regardless of whether I agree with them. However, the pope is the custodian of the doctrine of a faith that over a billion people follow. It is very dangerous to make such a sensational claim that runs counter to the official stance of the church.
This claim was made public on Holy Thursday, which is the day that celebrates the Last Supper of Jesus. How sadly ironic.
The Vatican is trying to do damage control on the study, but they haven’t and are officially unable to deny that pope Francis holds this most controversial view regarding Hell.
Some people are very disappointed and disillusioned by this news, while some people think it’s a conspiracy to undermine or change church doctrine. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out in the court of public opinion.
Photo from Newsweek
The existence of hell is not a matter of interpretation. It's clearly a part of scripture. The word "hell" appears 14 times in the New Testament. The subject is also covered as the "fire prepared for the devil and his angels". As well as the "lake of fire". Here is the most detail about hell:
(Luke 16:19-31 NIV) "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. {20} At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores {21} and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. {22} "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. {23} In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. {24} So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' {25} "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. {26} And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' {27} "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, {28} for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' {29} "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' {30} "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' {31} "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
What you find over and over again is that Catholics don't know the Bible. If they did they'd leave the false church of Rome.
Catholicism is not Christianity. Catholicism is a cult because it has all the features of a cult: it claims divine authority over the individual in this life and the hereafter; it claims divine knowledge. In reality, the pope isn't the representative of Christ. The Catholic Church has no power to name people saints or to damn me to hell as a heretic.
there is no christian denomination that is not a cult, that does not have wrong interpretations of the bible, that hasn't incorporated some or other pagan/ gnostic traditions, customs and beliefs into their thinking.
for example, are you celebrating easter? not biblical. Jesus died on passover. He was the lamb's blood on the doorposts of our hearts.
also the word translated as 'hell' in the bible is 'sheol' and 'hades' which simply mean the grave. ecclesiastes 9 and many other passages make clear there is no immortal soul, after death we are unconscious until the resurrection and judgement. which means no one is burning in hell right now.
this is a good thing. it also means God is not some cruel vindictive tyrant. also good. the passage you quote above is a parable. much of the bible is symbolic and spiritual. you can tell where because there are contradictions, and you cannot ignore some passages to claim a doctrine where they are opposed by other passages.
i could go on, but i was very surprised to read this from a pope that has talked nothing but communist globalist one world government non sense since his accession. he is absolutely correct, maybe it was by accident, but he's right.
now isn't that better to know, that your unsaved unbelieving friends and family are not being/ will not be tortured eternally in damnation while you live it up in the new jerusalem?
Thanks for sharing your insights.
It’s great to see people so passionate about their beliefs.