TSR Christian Society (X-SOC) Episode IV: A New Hope

I hadn't heard about this. Where/when did he say this? You sure it's not the media making a mountain out of a molehill, as they tend to do with anything he says?

Hi everyone

-X-

Hello! Have we met? Apologies if we have, I've got the memory of a goldfish

Ok, so here:

http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=51106

We believe Catholic.org, don't we? Do we? (I need clarification!)

"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! . . . . Even the atheists. Everyone!"

He has redeemed all of us yes but it is very important that we believe that he has in fact redeemed us for we are only saved through faith in Christ Jesus.

Hey. I'm not sure but your username does sound familiar :P

I made 4 people in my religion class ask,"What's the point of going to Mass then?!" when I told the teacher that Pope Francis said that everyone is saved, atheists included, if we all do good deeds. (You know, justification by faith; we've just finished studying Galatians).

Ngl, it was amusing to watch his reaction.

I'm all over the place on here, haha! I'm Shan, the yodelling goatherd/resident cafeteria Catholic



Just read your link and I hate to be the party pooper/to nitpick but as the article you linked (from a site I do not know of but which I suppose, given its reaction, could be fairly legit) says, redeemed does NOT equal saved, unfortunately for the atheists

At least the Atheists are redeemed, that is better than hell. (Although right now, it kinda includes me).

I like to think living a good life and carrying out good deeds counts for something, regardless of faith or no faith.

I'm all over the place on here, haha! I'm Shan, the yodelling goatherd/resident cafeteria Catholic

With all due respect, I don't think you've understood the difference between redeemed and saved.

Let me give an analogy. A grandfather has several grandchildren. He says to all of them, "I have a present for you: would you like to receive a present?" (He may or may not have provided evidence that there are indeed presents to be given.) All the grandchildren but one say "yes, granddad!"... all but one. One says "no granddad, I do NOT want your present". The granddad then produces the presents and distributes them all, giving every grandchild a present aside from the one who refused.

The act of telling the grandchildren that they can have a present and would they like it, is akin to redemption. The presents are stated as being for all who accept them.

The act of accepting the present, is akin to being saved. You have to actively accept the present, in order to receive it. The fact that one child refused the present, does not negate the fact that it was offered in the first place.

This is off the top of my head and may not make the best sense. But basically the Pope said atheists are REDEEMED. He did NOT use the word saved. So that implies that all atheists can also receive the gift of salvation. However they have not accepted it (yet?!?!)



I believe the same as you but both Catholic doctrine and in this case, the Pope himself, are very clear on this. No atheists in Heaven According to both, they are either in Purgatory or, more likely, Hell

And this is why the Catholic faith really isn't for me. Denying people who don't believe, maybe can't believe, and yet are good people is a little unfair. I understand it completely now, yes, but I think it is selfish.

Oh well.

I'm all over the place on here, haha! I'm Shan, the yodelling goatherd/resident cafeteria Catholic

Hiya nice to meet you I'm both Catholic & protestant (confusing. Dad's Catholic mum's pentecostal so I'm both I guess). Currently attend both types of churches but I'll need to choose one soon

Why do you see it as selfish? Everyone has the choice to believe or not...just like as with the present analogy it's not selfish of the giver to not force the child to accept the gift, it's up to the child to want to accept.

And this is why the Catholic faith really isn't for me. Denying people who don't believe, maybe can't believe, and yet are good people is a little unfair. I understand it completely now, yes, but I think it is selfish.

Oh well.

Ooh nice mix Though I think I'm right in saying that if you have not had a Catholic baptism, you are technically not a Catholic.

Don't worry about choosing and don't rush yourself to choose one either. In any case, you may decide neither are for you and you might become a... a Quaker or some other completely different denomination

Posted from TSR Mobile

That's fairy snuff, though I personally agree with what GEG has said. Also the Catholic Church is clear that there is likely to be dispensation for those who cannot believe due to never having even heard of Christ, or those who lack mental capacity to accept him due to disability

Posted from TSR Mobile

I think it's personal in regards to my selfish comment; I've struggled with my faith for so long. I want to believe so badly, I believe having faith and knowing God will make me a happier, better person, and yet I sit in church, I occasionally go to mass and pray, and...nothing. I feel nothing and feel like God has abandoned me.

I think I am an ok-ish person. I suppose I could be better, like everyone else. I read and study scripture, I've looked everywhere, and I can't find God. So I am to be condemned to hell because I can't feel the presence of God within me when I pray or sit in church or read his Good News? I was brought up Catholic and my views are Protestant, but ultimately having a faith in God rather than fully labeling myself in a Christian domination is more important to me now recently. I am to be condemned because I've not felt that glimmer of hope?

No I've had a Catholic baptism holy communion confirmation and everything so one could say I'm fully Catholic.
And yeah I guess I'll have to make up my mind with time