Pope Francis says atheists can be good

Reuters/The Guardian ^ | Wednesday 22 May 2013

[presidio9]

Atheists should be seen as good people if they do good, Pope Francis has said in his latest urging that people of all religions, and none, work together.

The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics made his comments in the homily of his morning mass at his residence, a daily event at which he speaks without prepared comments.

He told the story of a Catholic who asked a priest if even atheists had been redeemed by Jesus.

"Even them, everyone," the pope answered, according to Vatican Radio. "We all have the duty to do good," he said.

"Just do good, and we'll find a meeting point," the pope said in a hypothetical reply to the hypothetical comment: "But I don't believe

[skeeter]

Sneeringly misleading headline.

It is Rooters.

[Buckeye McFrog]

He who is not against us, is with us.

And a potential recruit.

[cripplecreek]

There are plenty of atheist FReepers who are just fine with me. They aren’t out there throwing tantrums about Christian symbols in public or trying to silence us.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"He who is not against us, is with us."

From today's Gospel!

[Bringbackthedraft]

Any religious leader is expected to be good to all, and not issue Fatwas for their death because they refuse to believe.

[Gay State Conservative]

He told the story of a Catholic who asked a priest if even atheists had been redeemed by Jesus.

I think that God may well not hold it against a person for being an atheist if he/she was never exposed to religion or was somehow coerced into atheism.Otherwise,to absolutely refute God's existence after having been exposed to (reasonable) religious teachings I fear may be unforgivable to Him.Those who are genuinely agnostic....I can see God giving them a "pass" assuming they've led a basically decent life.

Just my personal thoughts...

[equaviator]

“Atheists should be seen as good people if they do good, Pope Francis has said in his latest urging that people of all religions, and none, work together.”

If it can’t work in America then where?

[markomalley]

If you’re interested in reading what he actually said, you can read it here.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3022417/posts

Better than an al-Reuters summary/distortion

[jboot]

Although I am a Christian and take the Great Commission seriously, it bothers me not a whit if my neighbor is an atheist. I don't even mind if he politely attempts to proselytize me to his irreligion as long as he extends me the courtesy of polite refusal, and allows an opportunity for me to proselytize him in return.

It is my observation that polite and courteous atheists are in short supply in the present public milieu.

[mountn man]

The real issue is, that BILLIONS of "good" people have and are going to hell.

Being good doesn't get one into heaven.

[SgtHooper]

No way! By grace and FAITH, not deeds.

[OldNavyVet]

to absolutely refute God's existence after having been exposed to (reasonable) religious teachings I fear may be unforgivable to Him.

Just what do you consider "reasonable" religious teachings?

[ex-snook]

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” “Does the will” is very clear, I’ll try that.

[Skywise]

Uh... Atheists ARE second-class believers...

I can’t even believe people are whining that Catholics discriminate against atheists...

Maybe I shouldn’t be that surprised...

[informavoracious]

There are those on FR who think you don’t even have to be good to be a Christian. Faith not works.

[presidio9]

There are those on FR who think you don’t even have to be good to be a Christian. Faith not works.

More than a few. Faith AND works.

[Mad Dawg]

I don't see that he said they can be good. I saw where he said the must do good.