Can atheists be holy without sanctifying grace? (Merged)

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God rewards every good act of everyone when in grace or without grace.

Why?

Because God is just and good.

The natural person without sanctifying grace in their soul is rewarded with a natural reward in this world which may be apparent or not. We do not see all the good God does for us because some of it is transparent, like saving us from an auto accident. But even this natural person is always rewarded in some way in this world.
Or he/she may be rewarded by God thru the gift of faith.

The supernatural person with sanctifying grace in their soul is rewarded in a supernatural way and this is the best way which will last for all eternity. The reward in this case is an increase in sanctifying grace, which grows with each supernatural act of charity/love. This reward will be realized in our position with Christ in heaven.

The supernatural person without sanctifying grace in their soul is rewarded either/both in a natural way in this world, or better still, in a supernatural way by drawing them back into supernatural grace.

In any event, all good work is rewarded/blessed by God in some way is this world or the next. St Catherine of Sienna, a doctor of the church, wrote this in one of her books.

Why do people who are distant from God do good work? Because they were made to his image and likeness. And since God is love, they have in them also the desire to do good/love. It is natural in everyone unless they destroy this by their evil deeds in which case they changed so that they enjoy evil.

The love of God surrounds us all.
 
fred_conty said:
God rewards every good act of everyone when in grace or without grace.

Why?

Because God is just and good.

The natural person without sanctifying grace in their soul is rewarded with a natural reward in this world which may be apparent or not. We do not see all the good God does for us because some of it is transparent, like saving us from an auto accident. But even this natural person is always rewarded in some way in this world.
Or he/she may be rewarded by God thru the gift of faith.

The supernatural person with sanctifying grace in their soul is rewarded in a supernatural way and this is the best way which will last for all eternity. The reward in this case is an increase in sanctifying grace, which grows with each supernatural act of charity/love. This reward will be realized in our position with Christ in heaven.

The supernatural person without sanctifying grace in their soul is rewarded either/both in a natural way in this world, or better still, in a supernatural way by drawing them back into supernatural grace.

In any event, all good work is rewarded/blessed by God in some way is this world or the next. St Catherine of Sienna, a doctor of the church, wrote this in one of her books.

Why do people who are distant from God do good work? Because they were made to his image and likeness. And since God is love, they have in them also the desire to do good/love. It is natural in everyone unless they destroy this by their evil deeds in which case they changed so that they enjoy evil.

The love of God surrounds us all.
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A pretty good response Fred. 👍
 
We do* not *enter into life by our “good deeds”… we do not enter such by our virtues.

But they can be a good sign of our openness to God even if we do not know it…that we are open to truth and goodness - open to God. God can work with this - God can reach us in ways others do not see.

Whoever is saved in the end…will be saved by Jesus Christ…even if he has never heard of him or the Church …

Not entering the state of true life by good works…but by grace.
 
Bookcat said:
We do* not *enter into life by our “good deeds”… we do not enter such by our virtues.

But they can be a good sign of our openness to God even if we do not know it…that we are open to truth and goodness - open to God. God can work with this - God can reach us in ways others do not see.

Whoever is saved in the end…will be saved by Jesus Christ…even if he has never heard of him or the Church …

Not entering the state of true life by good works…but by grace.
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“Enter into life”? I am sorry but I do believe the majority of people entered into life emerging from a mother.
 
NM505StKate said:
“Enter into life”? I am sorry but I do believe the majority of people entered into life emerging from a mother.
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Are you now a troll?

Not going to feed trolls.

You know very well what was meant.

Have a splendid day.
 
There is one life in two different formats. The physical life which we are now experiencing and the eternal afterlife. Two sides of the same coin.
 
SAVINGRACE said:
There is one life in two different formats. The physical life which we are now experiencing and the eternal afterlife. Two sides of the same coin.
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Disagree. One would need to provide proof of an afterlife.
 
NM505StKate said:
I require evidence. That is the proof I need.
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Kate,
I’m sorry, but I’m really confused when I read your posts. Your profile says you identify as Catholic, but many of your posts conflict with the Catholic faith.

How can you call yourself Catholic if you don’t believe in Heaven?

From the previous thread, you said there was no Adam & Eve; which goes against the teaching of the Catholic Church, and you seem to not believe in the Catholic Theology regarding the Sacarment of Holy Matrimony.

Do you believe in Transubstantiation?

The mission of Catholic Answers is to answer questions and teach what the Catholic Church officially believes, as documented in the Bible, Catechism, the Ecumenical Councils, Church Constitutions, papal documents, canon law, Church Fathers, etc.

When I first discovered Catholic Answers, I was out of step with the Church. I wasn’t in a valid marriage, I had committed almost every sexual sin possible, and had lots of hate in my heart. I was lost.

But Catholic Answers Radio and eventually these forums helped me to learn the faith, and as I learned more, I began to see the brilliance of Catholic teaching. Now I’m studying St. Thomas Aquinas, learning far more than I ever learned in of the college philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or political science courses I took.

I pray that while you are on the Catholic Answers website, that you also listen to the recordings of Catholic Answers Live.

I will pray that you find whatever, or more properly Who, you are looking for.

God Bless.
 
phil19034 said:
Kate,
I’m sorry, but I’m really confused when I read your posts. Your profile says you identify as Catholic, but many of your posts conflict with the Catholic faith.

How can you call yourself Catholic if you don’t believe in Heaven?

From the previous thread, you said there was no Adam & Eve; which goes against the teaching of the Catholic Church, and you seem to not believe in the Catholic Theology regarding the Sacarment of Holy Matrimony.

Do you believe in Transubstantiation?

The mission of Catholic Answers is to answer questions and teach what the Catholic Church officially believes, as documented in the Bible, Catechism, the Ecumenical Councils, Church Constitutions, papal documents, canon law, Church Fathers, etc.

When I first discovered Catholic Answers, I was out of step with the Church. I wasn’t in a valid marriage, I had committed almost every sexual sin possible, and had lots of hate in my heart. I was lost.

But Catholic Answers Radio and eventually these forums helped to learn the faith, and as I learned more, I began to see the brilliance of Catholic teaching. Now I’m studying St. Thomas Aquinas, learning far more than I ever learned in of the college philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or political science courses I took.

I pray that while you are on the Catholic Answers website, that you also listen to the recordings of Catholic Answers Live.

I will pray that you find whatever, or more properly Who, you are looking for.

God Bless.
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She is strongly pro choice as well
 
phil19034 said:
Kate,
I’m sorry, but I’m really confused when I read your posts. Your profile says you identify as Catholic, but many of your posts conflict with the Catholic faith.

How can you call yourself Catholic if you don’t believe in Heaven?

From the previous thread, you said there was no Adam & Eve; which goes against the teaching of the Catholic Church, and you seem to not believe in the Catholic Theology regarding the Sacarment of Holy Matrimony.

Do you believe in Transubstantiation?

The mission of Catholic Answers is to answer questions and teach what the Catholic Church officially believes, as documented in the Bible, Catechism, the Ecumenical Councils, Church Constitutions, papal documents, canon law, Church Fathers, etc.

When I first discovered Catholic Answers, I was out of step with the Church. I wasn’t in a valid marriage, I had committed almost every sexual sin possible, and had lots of hate in my heart. I was lost.

But Catholic Answers Radio and eventually these forums helped me to learn the faith, and as I learned more, I began to see the brilliance of Catholic teaching. Now I’m studying St. Thomas Aquinas, learning far more than I ever learned in of the college philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or political science courses I took.

I pray that while you are on the Catholic Answers website, that you also listen to the recordings of Catholic Answers Live.

I will pray that you find whatever, or more properly Who, you are looking for.

God Bless.
Click to expand...
I am someone who is questioning. See after the Ken Ham Bill Nye debate I really started to question. I was conservative then. I looked up other debates and went to find other media. After coming across different podcasts I started to think more and more. I do my best to see both sides but there are times when there isn’t two sides.

What is funny is that since I questioned I opened up more to my doctor and got on a prescription to help with depression. I am happier now and with less mood swings. I appreciate life more now. I empathize with other as best I can.
 
Often times, the question is posed, What if a person is a non-believer, but they have led a moral life?

Isn’t this question wrong, since our good works don’t save us anyway? People so often pose this question about moral atheists. But the thing is, people ask this question because deep down people sense that good works do have value…and yet our faith teaches us that without faith, the good works ultimately really don’t.
 
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