does purgatory no longer exist?
396465
References to a place of purgation (place where your purged of your sins) are made as far back as the beginning of the third century (by Clement of Alexandria) and are frequently referenced up to and beyond the bible's canonization (where they decided what books should go into the bible) in 390CE. While no direct references to purgatory were chosen in 390CE, it was acknowledged that the concept was worthy of incorporation into other church publications.  The Church, that is the Roman Catholic Church, continues to include it’s teachings on purgatory in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  I’m not exactly sure why some protestant individuals are so quick to lie about its continued inclusion in the Catholic tradition, they seem to enjoy ridiculing its believers enough you’d think they’d want it kept around.  \n\nI have mixed feelings on the subject. Personally I think it’s a concept that has an impressive historical record that I acknowledge as one of many possibilities. In the end you’re going to need to die to really know for sure. Also contrary to what many people here are telling you, Roman Catholics aren't the only Christians to hold on to the concept of purgatory as a teaching. \n\nWhen the Reformation came in northern europe, the concept of purgatory was something chosen to be dropped to help distinguish the reformers from the old Church. At the time the idea was being abused in some regions to encourage wealthy church patrons to help "buy" their way out of their sins. This is why many of the Protestant groups today are still contemptuous of the concept, despite it's importance to earlier Christian groups.  But like I said earlier I don’t understand why they are so quick to tell people it is no longer taught by the older churches. \n\nThe second act of Dante’s Inferno deals with the concept of purgatory, but if you really wish to learn more you’ll need to read translations of the works of St. Augustine and other early Christian leaders. Dan 12:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2-3; 2 Mac 12:42-45; Matthew 5:26; Lk 12:47-48; Lk 12:58-59; 1 Cor 3:13-15; Apoc 21:27: are some of the biblical passages which were included in 390 that many site provide for the existence of a state of purgatory.\n\n\nRegards,\nArmus
766307
Yes Richard especially as this is the month that the church remembers in a special way the Holy Souls in Purgatory, there are many prayers with a plenary indulgence attached to them you can buy a little prayer book and say them however the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a powerful obtainer of the release of souls.\n\n2 Machabees 12:46, it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead,that they may be loosed from sins.
1129301
What is important is that there is an afterlife.  In other words, at the end of this physical existence in time and space, life continues.  We do not cease to exist.\n\nOther than that, we really know nothing about heaven, Hades or Gehenna.  All we can do is HOPE that everything is better and fine for us at the moment of death.\n\nAs for purgatory, interesting theories come and go.  We want things to work our way and do not understand how a person who has been very good, and another who has spent their life hurting others may have the same forgiveness, love and mercy of God.
984549
This version of Hell is non-existent.  Hell is an eternity in the absence of God.  Fire and brimstone is a man made myth.
208256
No one knows for sure. It's a personal opinion. Mine? Unfortunately they go nowhere. Although I believe reincarnation may be possible.
903782
Sorry I found your message too late you probably aren't there now.  Writ me.  I love talking Universal truths.  Go to http://www.stephen-knapp.com for universal truth and an amazing web site. The United Relief Network.
307899
Check with something called Camp of Champs - not sure if it is still around.
186414
Heaven, hell or purgatory.
15531
I hope I go "somewhere".  For those that beleive you just "go away", doesn't it scare the hell out of you that you'll just stop existing and there will be nothing?  I mean, hell, heavean, pergatory, valhalla, avalon..the thought of going nowhere scares the hell out of me.
353108
Your not getting many unbiased answers here so I'll expand mine.\n\nIt is essentially defined as: "a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions."\n\nReferences to a place of purgation (place where your purged of your sins) are made as far back as the beginning of the third century (by Clement of Alexandria) and are frequently referenced up to and beyond the bible's canonization (where they decided what books should go into the bible) in 390CE.  While no direct references to purgatory were chosen in 390CE, it was acknowledged that the concept was worthy of incorporation into other church publications.\n\nWhen the Reformation came in northern europe, the concept of purgatory was something chosen to be dropped to help distinguish the reformers from the old Church.  At the time the idea was being abused in some regions to encourage wealthy church patrons to help "buy" their way out of their sins.  This is why many of the Protestant groups today are still contemptuous of the concept, despite it's importance to earlier Christian groups. \n\nThe second act of Dante’s Inferno deals with the concept of purgatory, but if you really wish to learn more you’ll need to read translations of the works of St. Augustine and other early Christian leaders. Dan 12:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2-3; 2 Mac 12:42-45; Matthew 5:26; Lk 12:47-48; Lk 12:58-59; 1 Cor 3:13-15; Apoc 21:27: are some of the biblical passages which were included in 390 that many site provide for the existence of a state of purgatory.\n\nPersonally I think it’s a concept that has an impressive historical record that I acknowledge as one of many possibilities.  In the end you’re going to need to die to really know for sure. Also contrary to what many people here are telling you, Roman Catholics aren't the only Christians to hold on to the concept of purgatory as a teaching. \n\nGood luck with your research!\nArmus
921929
it is difficult to exist without it.\n\nIt sounds like one of those overanalyzed philosophical bs topics. It is as if there was a choice as to whether the universe should exist or not. It is not a debate, just as death is not a debate. It is...just is. \n\nOne could argue that God is he source of the universe or perhaps that it preceeded Him. We don;t know and frankly, it isnt that important to spend such an effort over...just as the discussion of death is kinda pointless...it just is. \n\nWhy not spend the effort discussing topics that make a diffeence? Stem cell research, nuclear power for a cleaner environment, the morality of killing terrorists (OK, I threw in an easy one)
840771
it does not exist....the wwf no longer has the film of that event in the Kemper Arena
296321
"Purgatory", "original sin" and many other contrivances and rituals are purely inventions of the Roman Catholic Church when the early church elders in Rome decided to connive with Emperor Constantine, the high priest of the pagan religion [Sol Invictus] in 325 AD, to become the most powerful church in the entire Holy Roman Empire... and ruled for 1300 years that our history books have known to call as 'The Dark Ages'.\n\nBoth those words cannot be found in any Bible today no matter how many times you read it from cover to cover.\n\nI'm glad that you're finally beginning to open your eyes, too.
361803
If God exists outside of time which I find likely if he created the Universe including time, then heaven and hell would not be bound by the laws of time or space. So a better answer to your question is "where" was purgatory created, the answer: outside of time.\n\nFor those of you who don't know, Purgatory is essentially defined as: "a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions."\n\nReferences to a place of purgation (place where your purged of your sins) are made as far back as the beginning of the third century (by Clement of Alexandria) and are frequently referenced up to and beyond the bible's canonization (where they decided what books should go into the bible) in 390CE. While no direct references to purgatory were chosen in 390CE, it was acknowledged that the concept was worthy of incorporation into other church publications.\n\nWhen the Reformation came in northern europe, the concept of purgatory was something chosen to be dropped to help distinguish the reformers from the old Church. At the time the idea was being abused in some regions to encourage wealthy church patrons to help "buy" their way out of their sins. This is why many of the Protestant groups today are still contemptuous of the concept, despite it's importance to earlier Christian groups. \n\nThe second act of Dante’s Inferno deals with the concept of purgatory, but if you really wish to learn more you’ll need to read translations of the works of St. Augustine and other early Christian leaders. Dan 12:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2-3; 2 Mac 12:42-45; Matthew 5:26; Lk 12:47-48; Lk 12:58-59; 1 Cor 3:13-15; Apoc 21:27: are some of the biblical passages which were included in 390 that many site provide for the existence of a state of purgatory.\n\nDoes it exist?  I have mixed feelings on the subject, it is a Christian teaching with an impressive historical record that I regard as one of many possibilities.  \n\nRegards,\nArmus
204912
Only if you believe in time.\nAs a student of Zen buddism I have come to think of the here and now, this very instant, as eternity.\nThere is no future and past. Where do these things exist?\nOnly eternity exists in this very instant.
81565
It disappeared, maybe?
35287
No, but thinking about it, could we be in Purgatory now and how we act on earth decide which way we go from here?