An Open Letter to Roman Catholic Apologists
The New Catholic Catechism in Part One, Section 847, states that non-Catholics who “seek God with a sincere heart” and “try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience,” will “achieve eternal salvation.”
The Roman Catholic Church has publicly stated that this means that sincere people from non-Christian religions such as Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists, animists, etc. will make it to heaven without the necessity of hearing of or believing in it or its dogmas. As long as they are sincere in their faith and live a good life, they will make it to heaven.
The Roman Church has also publicly stated that this means that sincere people who have no religious convictions such as agnostics, atheists, skeptics, etc. will make it to heaven without the necessity of hearing of or believing in it and its dogmas. As long as they are sincere and live a good life, they will make it to heaven.
The Pope has also said that the Orthodox, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, etc, will also make it to heaven without hearing of or believing in the Roman Catholic Church. As long as they are sincere in their faith and live a good life, they will make it to heaven. They are only “separated brethren.”
Since this is what your Church teaches, we who are non-Catholics request that you stop trying to convert us. Why?
1. We do not need to hear of or believe in your church to make it to heaven. Since we do not need your religion and our own religion or lack of religion is sufficient to save us, don’t bother us.
2. Our ignorance is our salvation according to your Catechism. Thus if you try to convert us, you will endanger our souls. Your Catechism states that people go to hell if they come to believe that the Roman Catholic Church is the true religion but “refuse to enter it.” Thus you may cause us to lose our salvation if you convince us that your religion is true. So, please leave us alone.
3. Section 846 also states that people who believe that the Roman Catholic Church is the true religion but “refuse to remain in it,” will go to hell. Those who leave the Roman Church and then are sincere in their new beliefs and live a good life will still make it to heaven. But if you convince them that the Roman Church is the true church, you will endanger their immortal soul. So, leave them alone! As sincere ex-Catholics, they are going to heaven. Don’t damn them by trying to convert them.
4. Section 856 the Catechism states that a “respectful dialogue” with non-Catholics may be done. But you have failed to be “respectful.” Instead, you have repeatedly engaged in rude and offensive “Protestant bashing.”
Conclusion
Since, according to your Church, we non-Catholics can get to heaven without becoming Roman Catholics, we do not need you or your Church. And, since we have our own religion, we do not want you or your Church. Catholic apologetics will do us more harm than good. It is thus time for you to seek gainful employment elsewhere such as selling insurance, cars or shoes.