I went to Catholic schools for twelve years and have been attending Mass for decades and the only thing I’ve ever heard a priest say about other religions is that, while some paths may be more direct than others, anyone can achieve salvation if they’re righteous.
Likewise, other religions found everywhere try to counter the restlessness of the human heart, each in its own manner, by proposing “ways,” comprising teachings, rules of life, and sacred rites. The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.
Same here. Maybe 2000+ masses since Holy Communion and never heard any priest speak of any other religion in a negative way. Those masses cover maybe 50-100 different churches, mostly in the US, but also Europe, Canada, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
Some Catholics do have erroneous beliefs concerning the church’s view on other faiths:
Growing up, I assumed that the Catholic Church taught that people who were not Christian could not go to heaven. That view never sat well with me, so it was a relief to learn later in life that my assumption had been wrong.
In fact, the church teaches that the “plan of salvation” includes all people, regardless of their religious affiliation. The Second Vatican Council declared this most clearly, and it remains the position of the church today. It means that those who do not profess faith in Jesus Christ may—by following the dictates of their conscience and embracing what is true and good—“attain eternal salvation.” This is not to say that everyone is guaranteed to be saved (even Christians), but it means that God labors tirelessly to bring all people—Christian or not—to salvation in Christ. Ultimately, we are saved not by membership in an institution or by our ideas or good deeds but by God.
The church also recognizes that other religions very often contain “true and holy” elements—“rays of the same Truth” that the church professes. Because of this, people of other faiths deserve our admiration and respect, and the church calls on all people to engage in dialogue and collaboration around our shared values.
At Vatican II, the church highlighted many positive aspects of other religions that are similar to those of the Catholic faith and practice. In Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions), the church praised specific aspects of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not think that. They are very accepting and tolerant of other faiths. It is part of their teachings and way of life.
Also, way above there was talk about the trinity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes the trinity consists of 3 distinct beings: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They teach they are one in purpose but not one being.
The concept of Hell for Latter-day Saints is also a bit more abstract. It is not so much a place, rather a state of mind. The focus is more on becoming Christ-like, to reunite with eternal families in the after, and to hopefully achieve exaltation through deeds and actions done in this life.
They believe salvation is not by faith alone, but rather by faith and deeds. Faith without works is dead. James 2:17
They believe, as do most other denominations, that Christ atoned for our sins and paid the debt for us. Humans are in debt to him for that, so they must accept him in this life or the one to come [this covers the problem of those not given the chance to know of the gospel in this life], and live by his teachings.
I came to the Catholic church because I sense that’s where the Holy Spirit wants me to be, and it doesn’t contravene any scripture in doing so. I think that’s the only reason I’m really doing it, otherwise I was actually planning on just going to other soothsayers (my uncle knows a few) and ask for answers. I’m glad the holy spirit intervened before I went down a rabbit hole that wasn’t good, but I was quite desperate at the time.
If the spirit wants me to join JW or Mormon church, I’m going to want a lot more than just scriptures and such.
As for priests well they are held to a higher standard are teachers. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach” — and then the ESV translates — “will be judged with greater strictness.” Literally it is knowing that we will receive the greater judgment.
The resurrection is the key to Christian belief without it Christianity is dead. There are a lot of sources for that too. I think that I or maybe someone else created a thread on that. A good question though.
Perhaps befriend and discuss with more agnostic/atheist people. We are far more open in this regard it will be far harder to get hardliners people bent on ego and control to have such conversations based on maturity, respect and love.
That is great that some aren’t, individually. But the cult they support cause wars. What’s the justification/scape goat then? If it’s humans, why not the same treatments for those that write the books and lead the masses (also humans)?
Priests are pretty low down the pecking order, to be fair. Perhaps the evil is just simply above their pay grades?
it will be far harder to get hardliners people bent on ego and control to have such conversations based on maturity, respect and love.
