This
is an extremely welcome blast of fresh air.
Far too many religious leaders of the past have simply found it too
convenient to argue exclusivity and to demand obedience. Yet the central teaching of Christianity is
one of forgiveness. I cannot begin to
imagine just how revolutionary that was in the Roman Empire of his time. Thus extending forgiveness to those who are
men and women of conscience is completely compatible and demanded.
The
real admonition is that you live your live as the best person you can be. The strength of Islam is that most do try
to live the best lives that they can.
The problem is that the dual basis of its written morality condones
great evil also if it is convenient to do so.
Again,
he is clearly reintroducing the philosophy of St Francis of Assisi and it
appears to be the right time in history to be that brave. The sharing of the internet allows that
teaching to go out instantaneously and blocks easy push back.
Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to
believe in God to go to heaven
11
SEPTEMBER 2013
In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation,
Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La
Repubblicanewspaper, 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.”
Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the
Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of
his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his
extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a
conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to
have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”
In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said
the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to
overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.
In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on
sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to
judge him?”
sounds nice but not in the bible. since the pope claims to be christ's vicar on earthy, he should represent what christ has to say. he represents the religion of "DO" which are all man made not the religion of "DONE" which is God's idea of perfect and full forgiveness in the redemption of Christ.
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