Many who may read this post will not agree on its subject matter, but some might. I believe it will be up to the individual and what they believe in the hereafter.
As a Catholic (its meaning “Universal”) I do believe in Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. Most will find the latter strange because the Catholic Church is the only one who teaches on the subject through the Doctrine and Magisterium of the Church.
When a soul (which is eternal) passes from the body (which is temporary) it will go before God immediately and will be judged according to their actions while they were living.
So with that, let me continue. When a soul (which is eternal) passes from the body (which is temporary) it will go before God immediately and will be judged according to their actions while they were living. Purgatory is for those who (at the time of death) find themselves in a condition of being open to God, but still imperfect, the journey towards full beatitude requires a purification, which the Church illustrates in the doctrine of Purgatory.
Purification means atonement for sins and their effects on the soul. For the history buffs or unbelievers, or the faint at heart, there is a museum/church in Rome called “The Sacred Heart of Suffrage”. In the Church is a collection known as “Piccolo Museo del Purgatorio (Little Museum of Purgatory). The collection offers impressive bits of tangible evidence for the harrowing existence of the souls passed.
Looking at my own walk through life, I know that I am not perfect. I have made many mistakes, poor choices resulting in not so good of outcomes throughout my life, costing me years of sadness, but through it all, I try to stay the course, doing good for others, and helping the souls that are living get through their difficult times with an understanding that there is a God, a Creator who loves his created souls, and shows great mercy at the time of death. His desire is to have all of us in his “Kingdom of Heaven” is evident throughout Scripture.
The “paranormal” evidence displayed in the Little Museum of the church is worth the read and devotion to the souls who suffer, who are waiting to enter into Heaven in a state of perfection. In my encounter with people throughout my life, on the topic of Faith, Religion, whether Atheist or Believer, the responses I receive are:
1.) My faith does not believe in a place after death when you die, you die.
2.) I don’t believe in God, PERIOD!
3.) The Catholic Church is weird and a cult.
4.) I believe that as long as you are a good person you will be okay.
My responses are based on Scripture: Titus 2:7-9 and Matthew 7:21-23 which you can look up; basically says, one cannot enter Heaven without works as “ Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, ‘Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
I do believe that those that have passed need prayers as they cannot pray for themselves, and that by praying for them, they will pray for us when they come into their final place in Heaven.
I have studied Scripture, read many books on the Saints of the church, grown deeper in my faith in order to understand ancient history and the creation of our world as it is. Nothing in life can be stickily as a result of science, for whatever is achieved or discovered has to have a beginning and that beginning ends up with a creation from God. One day we will all die, that is for certain, and as for me, I would like to think that I am will make it to Heaven according to the will of God.
Recommended readings: Hungry Souls : by Gerard J.M. Van Den Arrdweg; Purgatory by :Fr. E.X. Schouppe. S.J.
Excellent article for “believers” as well as for “non-belivers” Nightingale. It is better to know this now until its too late. Everything to gain with an eternity of regret not to!