<p>I know there are lots of different beliefs about this kind of thing out there, but does anyone know how judgment is passed on, for example, the Native Americans prior to exposure to Christians and missionaries and whatnot? Most Native Americans had various spiritual beliefs often dealing with animal spirits and such, and I'm sure there were a ton who never even heard of God. I haven't read the Bible yet, and I'm not entirely educated on this topic, so can anyone shed some light on this? Are they condemned to Hell? </p>
<p>And also, what about babies who are born, live for 5 seconds, and then die? </p>
<p>Thanks (please don't fight about this; just had a few questions)</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from my religion class (three years in catholic hs) God doesn’t condemn the “naive,” for lack of a better word. If a baby dies prior to baptism, they do not go directly to hell, instead last rites are usually held, and well i guess that takes them to heaven.</p>
<p>just what i learned anyway. i dont believe in it, i’m pretty much agnostic, however grew up in a very religious/spiritual catholic family.</p>
<p>The Bible alone does not address this. It is a mystery that God only knows. It really does not matter since He is running things. God wants us to spend our time giving Jesus’ love to others and not concern ourselves over something our finite human minds would most likely not even grasp. Meanwhile, have fun with God!!</p>
<p>I believe that the Native Americans did have the gospel at some point, but it’s not a widely shared belief across the Christian spectrum (I’m Mormon).
But as far as people that haven’t had a chance to hear the gospel, we believe that they’ll be judged according to what’s in their hearts, how good of a person they tried to be with what laws they did have.</p>
<p>According to Catholic teachings, there is a place in purgatory for the unbaptized. You aren’t punished but you’ll never be with God. </p>
<p>Christianity varies widely on this issue. Some more progressive branches believe that anyone that lives a good life goes to a type of Heaven, but not necessarily the ultimate Heaven that Christians go to. </p>
<p>I went to a Catholic school for 9 years but I am no longer Christian.</p>
<p>ROFL, even though this statement is a bit crude I can’t help but agree with it. Don’t listen to anyone, especially those Utah-types or evangelist far right wing conservatives, that claim to know exactly how everything is, who goes to hell, etc.</p>
<p>So I get that a lot of people believe God is forgiving and wouldn’t send people to eternal suffering without a good reason, but if that’s the case, then how does one explain Revelations? I plan on actually reading the Bible so I can get a better understanding of this, but doesn’t Revelations say stuff about Jesus coming down to pour his wrath on everyone?</p>
<p>Many Catholics effectively worship Mary, but this isn’t part of the religion. They’re just supposed to respect her.</p>
<p>How would the Native Americans know about Christianity? The continent wasn’t visited by Eurasians until the last millennium. And even if someone had been there before and converted them, Native Americans didn’t have Christianity before the colonization so they still would have been screwed during the 1500’s and earlier.</p>
<p>This is addressed in the bible, somewhere in the New Testament (I forget where). It says that it is not held against you if you don’t believe in Jesus if you have not heard the Word, but if you have heard the Word and do not believe, then that is a sin.</p>
<p>the bible does address who is going to hell in the book of revelation </p>
<p>Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.</p>
<p>Fearful? Have you ever been scared of the dark? BURN FOR ETERNITY!
Abominable? Specify…
Idolaters? Paying too much attention that Virgin Mary? BURN FOR ENTERNITY!
Liars? Told a fib before? BURN FOR ETERNITY!</p>
<p>For those who don’t realize Catholicism is the True Church of Christ. It is the Church constantly referred to in the Bible. The Catholic Church is Christ’s Church.<br>
Also, if Catholics worship idols then they are going against their own teachings because idolatry is condemned in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church”. Also, the same goes for worship of Mary. Honoring an important person is not considered worship. So is looking at Michael Jackson’s life and all the people honoring him worshiping him?
So much bitterness about Catholicism, yet those who show that bitterness do not know about it and the true teachings of the Church.</p>
<p>Salve!, some of us do know about the TRUE teachings. Some of us just don’t LIKE them. </p>
<p>I know what Catholicism teaches. I’ve read the Bible cover to cover. I’ve been to mass and I’ve received all the sacraments. I simply do not agree with it.</p>
<p>So not ALL of us that show bitterness towards it do not know about the TRUE teachings. </p>
<p>I dislike ignorant people on both sides of this issue (ignorant Catholics who are convinced everyone is persecuting them and ignorant non-Catholics who bash the religion while knowing nothing about the religion).</p>
<p>if a baby dies right after being born i’m pretty sure God would let the baby go to heaven. in the Bible Jesus says that children are pure. so i’m pretty sure God wouldn’t condemn a baby to hell. as for the native american example i’m not sure. i would like to think God would let them go to heaven. but i’m not sure.</p>