Returning Catholics FAQs: About Non-Christians

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

What about people like the Dalai Lama or Gandhi? They knew about Jesus, but chose to pursue non-Christian faiths. Do Catholics believe they’re going to hell?

Christ told us that the one way to salvation was through him. The Church acknowledges our special relationships with Jews and Muslims, as our three faiths sprang from the same origins. We oppose and work to combat religious persecution of Jews. And, the Catechism notes that Muslims and Catholics “adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

Through the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and local efforts, we also keep dialogue open with Hindus and Buddhists.  The council works toward “mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration” with other traditions; encourages the study of religions; and promotes formation of those engaged in such discussions.

While these efforts keep conversations going at a high level, it is our responsibility as Catholics to represent Christ’s face when we interact with anyone—Catholic, Protestant, non-denominational, agnostic, atheist, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi, etc. We are constantly presented with opportunities to evangelize by the way we conduct our lives and interact with others. Rather than obsessing about whether a non-Christian is going to hell, it’s much more productive to treat him or her with respect—and to be ready to answer questions about our own beliefs when they come up.