May 24, 2013
Pope Francis promises redemption for ‘good atheists’
(excerpts…)
The leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics made his comments during the homily of his morning Mass on Wednesday, May 22. Francis said:
The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!
Francis went on:
We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.
Francis emphasized the importance of “doing good” as a principle that unites all humanity, saying “All people are called to do good and not evil.”
Francis argued that atheists should be seen as good people if they do good works.
Full article:
http://www.examiner.com/article/pope-francis-promises-redemption-for-good-atheists?cid=rss
Unfortunately, just being a “good” person is not enough.
For whoever keeps the whole Law but fails in one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10
No matter how good we are, it doesn’t make up for any amount of sin; and all have sinned (Romans 3:23)
While Jesus died for us all, we still must respond by believing, repenting, and receiving the free gift He purchased for us.