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I had originally started this thread as something else, but my thoughts turned towards the meaning of Purgatory in the Catholic Church. I am not knocking people’s beliefs but I do find this practise very hard to accept, and I wonder if it’s akin to tithing.

Explanation of Purgatory

The theological concept as been accepted as a way of paying for sins, and buying your way into “Heaven” {Am I to believe here, the richer you are.. the easier your path is through those pearly gates?}

“Those believers who died in a "state of grace" were promised "heavenly rewards", after paying for their sins in purgatorial flames, while those who did not die in a "state of grace", were to spend eternity suffering in Hell. Catholics did, however, believe that they could pray their loved ones out of Purgatory. This practice gives us an idea of the spiritual significance of honouring the deceased.”

I too find purgatory hard to believe. I dont catually beilieve in heaven myself ither but I do think that these places that are given names for when we die are a nice idea, but not something I actually believe in. My definition of places such as heaven, hell and purgatory is that they are places of a higher perspective of religius christian belief that are used as a symbol for places you may go after death. But personally I believe when you die you dont go to another place and taht is it and you stay there, I believe you are free and allowed be where ever you choose.

purgatory is where your sins are purged before entry to heaven. you must be cleansed before your passage. for what does light have in common with darkness; they cannot exist in the same place.

Tsk! Emaerald whatever is Fr. Brennan going to think of you now (thinks this may be good blackmail material!!)

I like what saint is saying abotu light and darkness, but I also find the idea hard to believe. I suppose at the time it gave hope to those who 'sinned' as it didnt mean eternal damnation. Im agnostic personally, and dont believe in Christianity, but it is without doubt an interesting concept.

Purgatory is a place the church tell us we go when we are to bad for heaven and to ggod for hell.You stay here till you have paid for your sins.The church loves to scare those with weak wills.

I have to agree with you on that Emmy.

I too find pergitory hard to believe......=)

Funny as it sounds, Purgatory is a gift - most souls are sent to everlasting damnation with no hope.

And yes, a rich man, who can afford many masses for his soul, will suffer less in purgatory; but then, of course, how he made his wealth may determine whether he'll make it to Purgatory.

A different spin... this is purgatory... we live in a kind of a soul holiday where we get teh chance to make right, or learn from mistakes to take us to the next level....

Tis the training ground, the school for our souls..... the older the soul, the longer it took them to move on and learn.

Cheers to Purgatory.... where Jazz music, Cigars and Martinis are available.... mmm mmm mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

The two aspects of Catholicism that gave me the most distress while I was searching religions were Purgatory and Absolution.

I still cannot believe in Absolution. An imperfect man (priest) cannot absolve a sinner of his sins. Only a perfect man (Jesus) could.

Purgatory I've changed my tune on a bit. I don't embrace it in the way Catholics do. But I think they got it at least half right. I've gone through the spectrum of philosophical contemplations... Earth is Hell, Earth is Purgatory, Purgatory is an upper level of Hell, etc etc... After it all, I do not believe Purgatory is imposed, but rather self-imposed.

Oh definately, "Absolution" is an area I also feel uncomfortable with. Hmm, I know life could be compared to a Purgatory of its own and I am appreciative that other people think this way too, but my concerns are aimed at the Puragatory conditions that lay within the Catholic Church and how the rich can ascend to the ranks of Heaven quicker by paying for Mass to be said for him.

Yet we are meant to believe that we are all equal in the eyes of God.