RE: "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us..." should we be grateful?
July 19, 2015 at 6:43 pm
(July 17, 2015 at 1:10 pm)Whateverist the White Wrote: Sorry Cath-y but I've been reading this in your signature line. I'm conflicted because, on the one hand, I like the current pope for his inclusiveness and reasonableness. On the other hand being "redeemed" is right up there with being "prayed for". Neither does me any discernable good. I just hear them as people wishing me well. Not really sure what else to do with it.
Still if I was a believer an inclusive god would be less of an embarrassment than a nit picky one. That is all.
No problem!

When the Pope said this, it wasn't meant to be insulting. It just meant that we all have a shot. Some Christians think that being non Christian (much less atheist) will automatically disqualify you from Heaven.
The pope, while not explicitly saying either or,** was still sending out a message of hope and calling everyone to come together and do good. Live by the virtues of honesty, generosity, chastity, kindness, forgiveness, etc.
I'm sorry if it offended you, though. I hope you know I think very highly of you and others on this forum!

**(because quite frankly none of us knows, though I think he made it clear he believes atheists can go to heaven, and I agree with him)
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh