8.119. My Protestant friends say Purgatory is made up and all sin is equal. I don’t believe in it either—it feels like a scare tactic. What do traditional Catholics say about this?
This response shows not only a loss of supernatural faith, but also the danger of modern Catholicism, which treats sin lightly and often omits or downplays hard doctrines like judgment, justice, and purification. But Purgatory is not a scare tactic—it is a merciful preparation for the Beatific Vision. And the distinction between mortal and venial sin is found in Sacred Scripture and Catholic Tradition, confirmed dogmatically by the Council of Trent.
Purgatory is real, and so is the distinction between mortal and venial sin. These truths are not medieval inventions or scare tactics—they are part of the unchanging doctrine of the Catholic Church, taught by Christ Himself, clarified by Sacred Tradition, and defined by Ecumenical Councils.
To reject these truths is to reject the justice and mercy of God. And to say “all sin is equal” is a Protestant error that denies the plain meaning of Scripture.
Purgatory is not a “second chance”—it is the final purification for souls who died in God’s friendship but still need to be cleansed from venial sin or temporal punishment before entering Heaven, because nothing unclean shall enter it (Apoc. 21:27).
| Category | Traditional Catholic Doctrine | Protestant / Modern Error | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purgatory | State of purification for saved souls not fully cleansed | Denied; seen as unbiblical or manipulative | **2 Maccabees 12:46**: “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead…” |
| Purpose of Purgatory | Removal of venial sins and temporal punishment | Judgment is immediate: Heaven or Hell only | “Nothing defiled shall enter Heaven” (Apoc. 21:27) |
| Mortal Sin | Grave sin that destroys sanctifying grace; leads to Hell if unrepented | All sin is equal, or “God understands” | 1 John 5:16–17 distinguishes sins that “are unto death” |
| Venial Sin | Lesser sins that wound the soul but do not kill grace | All sin treated equally—or ignored entirely | Venial sins are cleansed through penance, prayer, and Purgatory |
| Fear of Judgment | Fear is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7); a gift of the Holy Ghost | Fear is manipulation or “Old Testament thinking” | Christ spoke of Hell and warned of sin constantly (cf. Matt. 10:28) |
| Dogmatic Teaching | Defined at the Council of Florence and Trent | Rejected by sola scriptura Protestants and modernists | Purgatory is **de fide** (of the Faith)—denying it is heresy |
| Fruits of Belief | Sanctity, seriousness about sin, devotion to the poor souls | Presumption, spiritual laziness, rejection of sacrifice | “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:16) |
Summary:
Purgatory is not a scare tactic—it is a beautiful and necessary expression of God's mercy and justice. To enter Heaven, a soul must be entirely free of sin and punishment. If not yet ready, God purifies that soul in His love.
Rejecting Purgatory or the distinction between mortal and venial sin is to contradict Sacred Scripture, defy the Councils of the Church, and risk presumption—the sin of assuming salvation while refusing the means to achieve it.
As the Council of Trent infallibly declared:
“If anyone says that after the grace of justification has been received, every sin is forgiven and the guilt of temporal punishment is removed, let him be anathema.”
God does not frighten to manipulate—He warns to save. And He gives us Purgatory as a final mercy for those who die in grace but are not yet ready for the Beatific Vision.