Pope: Don't have to believe in God to go the Heaven

WND ^ | 16 hours ago

[BenLurkin]

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

[Gay State Conservative]

That's certainly not what I was taught.Perhaps this comment is in some way connected to Saint Thomas.

[Sherman Logan]

Eggzackly.

One of the things that struck me most strongly in conversations with Mormon missionaries is their belief that if you sincerely pray to God for direction, you’ll get a warm, fuzzy feeling from the Holy Spirit in your tummy that will direct you to do the right thing.

But I think the Bible is very clear that we cannot trust out conscience to know what is right. We are too expert at deceiving ourselves. Conscience must be guided by God’s Word, not by our feeeellliiinnnngggs.

[b4its2late]

We all know where the beast is.

[This Just In]

Thanks for the post, knarf. I replied to BenLurkin on post #17 in order to clarify.

[detective]

From the article the Pope writes:

“You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart.”

This is very different than what was stated in the headline. The Pope said if someone shows true contrition they will be forgiven for their sins. Even those who say they don’t believe in God commit sins if they don’t follow their conscience and act in a way that is evil.

The MSM gets almost everything wrong. They are trying to portray Pope Francis as a leftist. The article says as much.

[upchuck]

I'm with you 100% if I can make a small change in what you wrote: I trust Scripture and not what the lame stream media claim was said by a religious leader.

The LSM are so godless they have no clue.

[This Just In]

Well, just to clarify, plain talk; if the Pope inferred this sentiment, he is completely wrong. But it is clear to me that the media intentionally misquoted him.

[This Just In]

Those are not Holy Scripture, but rather, Catholic texts, if you will. Christ does not preach praying for the dead.

[El Cid]

“You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience. “Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

I don't know what the pope is trying to say (from the headline) -- but from this quote he says you have to go to God with a sincere and contrite heart (we agree) ... Ergo, the person must believe in God -- otherwise said person would not go to God (with a sincere and contrite heart).

Seems like the headline and this quote don't mesh together.

[SkyDancer]

Well in a way I can see it. Just because there are people that have never heard of Yashua aren't condemned but are judged on their conscience. Up until almost the Middle Ages when Europeans started out investigating the world nobody outside of Europe/the Middle East ever heard of Him. I'm talking people of the Pacific islands, Japan, China, North and South America. Are those people condemned? Then too, people before Yashua came on the scene. Lots of nations never heard of the Hebrew G-d nor of Yashua.

I don't want to cause a controversy her or argue anything, just saying.

[fatboy]

Boy O’ boy are you smart, can I have your autograph? Please?

[AppyPappy]

“My God is better than that.”

Your god? Created in your own image perhaps?
If God sends people to Hell for unbelief, who are you to criticize Him? Where were you when he made the Heavens and Earth?

[RitaOK]

I’m going to respectfully suggest you have been sand bagged.

[This Just In]

Sounds like you’ve been reading Job. :^)

(BTW,...one of my favorite books in the Bible)

[BenLurkin]

The in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit and a person’s conscience are two very different things.

I don’t know what Mormons believe on the subject.

[Hoffer Rand]

I respectfully request the Holy Father to re-read scripture.

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:5-8) comes to mind. I'm sure there are others.

[Amendment10]

... stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

With all due respect to the Pope, given his stance on same-sex sexual relationships if I understand that correctly, such people are following their consciences after all, it doesn't surprise me that he doesn't seem to understand major problems with unrepentant sin.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. --Proverbs 14:12, KJV

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The statement attributed to the Catholic Pontiff is a strange thing for a Christian leader to say, unscriptural as well: "I am the way, the truth, and the light and no man comes to the Father except by me." Jesus of Nazereth

[BenLurkin]

[JSDude1]

Jeremiah 17:9

New International Version (NIV)

9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

THE POPE is wrong, and needs to reread scripture with the intent of God changing His heart, what would be worse than claiming to be a Christian buy not really knowing Him (a warning to us all)?