If there is a creator, so what?

[Ignorant]

Yes, that's what he said.  An atheist -has- no relationship with christ.  That;s what it means to be an atheist, you realize? [1] It's the relationship or knowledge that's unneccesary, keep up. [2]  It's really not that revolutionary.  The church has long thought that "savage races" who had never heard of christ were covered by the promise of the crucifixion all the same. [3]

-and you don't need a relationship with jesus to get it, if atheists can get it.  Again, not necessary, in that case, so why should I give  a shit? [4] I mean, feel free to present a more traditional faith, tell me I'm going to go to hell if I don't have that knowledge or relationship.....but...I'll just remind you that possession would not compel compliance, in me, so? [5]

1) Ohhhhhhhhh. =). Do you think the Pope possibly believes that an atheist doesn't believe he has a relationship with Christ (of course), even though a relationship with Christ actually exists? Perhaps your missing some nuance there.

2) That's what you don't get. Christians believe (including the Pope) that the relationship with Christ is there whether you know its there or not. Anyone who is "saved", anyone who goes to heaven, goes there for one fundamental reason - Christ brought them there. Christians acknowledge the reality of the relationship, and try to work through it, which is actually Christ working through their work to bring them to heaven. Atheists don't acknowledge that reality, but often unknowingly work through it nonetheless, which is often Christ working through their work to bring them to heaven. <= This would make sense if you were able to meaningfully speak about a NATURAL relation between god's working and any work at all. But, you thought that unnecessary to discuss.

3) Yup. Romans 2:13-16.

4) You DO need a relationship with Jesus to get eternal life. He himself said it multiple times. He REVEALED that the relationship is already there. It is part of our reality. Are there cases in which Jesus gives eternal life DESPITE the lack of explicit knowledge and recognition of that relationship with Jesus (e.g. the cases of some good atheists)? YES. I hope you and everyone here are in this category should you remain atheist.

5) It's not that you would go to hell if you didn't have that relationship, you wouldn't exist at all if you didn't have that relationship. It's simply reality. So you get to choose to live as if it were a reality, or not. You seem to have made your choice. Fair enough.