The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Praying for the Dead (Purgatory)

1) I can't remember any instance where a true man of God prayed for the dead. The RCC rests its case for both prayers for the dead and purgatory upon a passage from the Apocryphal book, 2 Maccabees 12:38-45. And if one reads that passage with the least bit of care, even that doesn't support Rome's doctrine. Prayers for the dead go hand-in-hand with and are necessarily connected to the false doctrine of purgatory. Scripture teaches that "man has been appointed once to die, and then the judgment." (Heb 9:27) Further, the saints at death are immediately joined with Christ in heaven and are therefore in no need of prayers from the living. They are far better off than we are. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

2) There are records of early Christians who prayed for their departed loved ones. However, their prayer were not appeals to reduce their punishment and/or time of "purging" but rather that God would even increase their joy and peace which they were already experiencing.

3) See #1.... it's a heretical doctrine and yes it will continue to be practiced among pagans and heathen people.

4) What? no #4?.... yes there is.... and that is my advice to you personally. Make a CLEAN BREAK with Catholicism once for all as you are called to do and you won't be plagued by these type of issues. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Ponder.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,