Can atheists be saved?

[Charlemagne_III]

According to Wikipedia,

“English translation of the Latin proverb “Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur” (“what is freely asserted is freely dismissed”), which was commonly used in the 19th century.”

In 1704, the Christian theologian Johann Georg Pritius first used the expression attributed to Hitchens. His use of the expression had nothing to do with atheism.

skepticink.com/backgroundprobability/2015/07/25/the-long-history-of-hitchens-razor/

 

[John_Lazarus]

Again, how do you get to heaven having committed mortal sins without repenting them?

By definition of an atheist, he cannot seek God’s forgiveness, there being no God to forgive him.

Maybe he does not say the words in his head. Maybe he says the words in his heart, by his deeds. He says in his head, and maybe his words, that there is no God, but maybe his deeds show otherwise. Maybe he has an innate sense of right and wrong, of human decency, of true justice. And if he does, Who put it there?

Maybe he falls into that category of those who “have not heard the Gospel” – not because they did not hear the words, but because that Gospel was being wielded like a weapon by hypocrites who feel smugly sure in their salvation while breaking commandments like they were religious bubble-wrap. They reject the words, but perhaps, in their hearts, they have not rejected The Word.

I can’t read a man’s heart. Neither can you. Only God can. And when the End comes, it will be up to Him. And for all the obstacles between man and Heaven, well, nothing – *nothing *-- is impossible for God.

 

[rose_kelly]

I think we need to careful not to apply a very black and white answer to the question. Though atheism is lack of belief in God or gods, the reasons vary greatly so I think it affects the outcome.

Some atheists make conclusions based on an incomplete understanding of God. Many today are simply byproducts of our environment, conditioned by media and secularism and taught that the accumulation of wealth, seeking personal fulfillment outside of the greater social context becomes more important than paying service to a fish bumper sticker, caricature version of an old man in the sky. It’s easy to believe in nothing and there is a whole group that will open their arms to them in acceptance and tell them they have the intellectual high ground. How much are they at fault?

Some atheists are too apathetic to legitimately attempt to seek the truth. Others investigate God through a limited scope or through one lens. Some carry a past wound to their soul. Others are influenced by their natural disposition or by the failure of their parents in raising them. Many have never sat to listen to the liturgy for one hour of the week or have never been exposed to the Gospels. Yet there are many atheists who are genuinely good people, more so than many self-identifying Christians. Remember that God has written the Law on the hearts of all men.

So I think it all depends if ‘atheists can be saved.’ Though there is a risk if there is a hardening of the heart and more so if there is an outright rejection, but that applies to anyone, atheist or not. There is no real justice in the world except that what comes from God, who is merciful and fair. In the end, I think its an accumulation of a lifetime of choices that will determine whether we are saved or whether we choose to reject God.

I always think about the parable of the man with two sons (paraphrase follows):

A man had two sons. He told one, “Go work in the fields”, the son says, “OK”, but instead buzzes off to the market or the chariot races or whatever.

The man says to his second son, “Go work in the fields”, but the son replies, “Not likely!”, but he goes and works in the fields anyway.

So which son is actually doing the will of his father?

It seems that Jesus thinks more of those who walk the walk as opposed to talk the talk. An atheist who says with his voice that he does not believe, might show through his deeds that he actually does believe with his soul.

Basically, I think there may be a lot of very surprised atheists with valid boarding passes at the Pearly Gates come Judgement Day, just as there will be many equally shocked Christians at the gates of H-E-double-hockeysticks.

Well said.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

Saved from what? they don’t believe in anything.

Their lack of belief doesn’t mean God doesn’t exist. He’s there or not regardless of what we think about the question.

 

[IWantGod]

The question I want to raise does not concern whether atheists who convert and repent before they die can be saved. Rather, the question I invite for discussion is whether the atheist who dies an atheist can be saved.

Your thoughts?

Yes they can be saved. Its just a question of whether or not their hearts reject him.

 

[Charlemagne_III]

I can’t read a man’s heart. Neither can you. Only God can. And when the End comes, it will be up to Him. And for all the obstacles between man and Heaven, well, nothing – *nothing *-- is impossible for God.

I’m glad you can read the mind of God so well.

Yes, it would seem mercy is possible. But still, hell exists, and it was made for those who reject God, which includes the friendship he wants to have with us.

Lucifer was the first occupant of hell. We are all vulnerable as his possible accomplices.

I don’t get the notion that you get to heaven by rejecting God.

Hell would seem to be the place you prefer to be.

 

[Gorgias]

In 1704, the Christian theologian Johann Georg Pritius first used the expression attributed to Hitchens. His use of the expression had nothing to do with atheism.

skepticink.com/backgroundprobability/2015/07/25/the-long-history-of-hitchens-razor/

You didn’t click on the link in my post, didja…?

 

[Bradski]

I think the OP should have read: ‘Atheists can’t be saved! Who agrees with me?’.

 

[IWantGod]

I think the OP should have read: ‘Atheists can’t be saved! Who agrees with me?’.

 

[Gorgias]

I think the OP should have read: ‘Atheists can’t be saved! Who agrees with me?’.

LOL…!

Maybe… but then, there would’ve only been one or two posts in the thread!

 

[rose_kelly]

There’s the same question answered by a Catholic.Answers apologist here.

forums.catholic-questions.org/printthread.php?t=199160

 

[Charlemagne_III]

There’s the same question answered by a Catholic.Answers apologist here.

forums.catholic-questions.org/printthread.php?t=199160

In the link you cited is this paragraph concerning Gaudiam spes.

“This section implies that the culpability for atheism is not necessarily entirely the individual atheist’s. To the extent that belief in God has been made impossible for him by others, there may be some mitigation for his culpability for unbelief. For the atheist, ultimately we must trust that even he too is not beyond the reach of God’s mercy if he strives to live morally.”

I don’t believe anyone can make impossible the belief in God for others.

Also, many Catholics strive to live morally. That does not mean that they are heaven bound.

Same for atheists.

 

[Charlemagne_III]

I think the OP should have read: ‘Atheists can’t be saved! Who agrees with me?’.

Your snarky remarks are not appreciated. So tiresome.

You only exhibit the stereotype of the angry atheist.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

Your snarky remarks are not appreciated. So tiresome.
You only exhibit the stereotype of the angry atheist.

Can’t say I read the comment as angry. It kind of made me laugh.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

If a god or gods exists…and there is an afterlife beyond this one…and if the options for that afterlife are to be either saved and go to a “heaven” or not be saved and go to a “hell”…and if this god is as loving, understanding, all-knowing, and wise as people claim…and if this god, in the end, chooses to save or not to save each person…then…OF COURSE atheists can be saved!!!

If a god doesn’t “save” an atheist who is good and loving and true…then that would be a very unloving, unfair, unwise god.

So perhaps…with some gods–the wise, loving ones–atheists can be saved; and with others–the foolish, spiteful ones–they cannot.
It depends on the god.
There have been known to be many, after all.

.

That make zero sense.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

That quote doesn’t say atheists go to hell.

It says people who don’t obey see “the wrath of God”.

People who “don’t obey” are not necessarily atheists.

.

Atheists go nowhere!

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I think the OP should have read: ‘Atheists can’t be saved! Who agrees with me?’.

I do!

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

And since atheism can only be asserted without evidence, it can be dismissed without evidence.

We don’t know which kind of “atheism” you are talking about.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

Almost everybody most likely gets Purgatory.

It takes as much effort to be a great sinner as a great Saint. Most human beings won’t make the effort to do either.

ICXC NIKA

Don’t lightly say such things Eddie.

How can we discern effort?

How can we discern what came before effort?

Are you making the same mistake as Charlemagne in misrepresenting pastoral questions?

Whose skulls are said to pave the road?

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

I think just the opposite. And God better be prepared for some serious discussions.

Mr Bradski’s remark on Mr Hitchens (whom I don’t know) is reasonable.

Charlemagne, in addition to all the other points made, you seem to have a problem with points of time in between what was last on someone’s lips and what hoops they may have gone through in terms of confessions, etc.

Please realise you are not equipped to discern either specific cases or cases in general. These are pastoral questions.

Anyway how many people have actually been praying FOR the people you are talking about? Aren’t Christians who won’t pray enough for those around them, sharing in atheism - determined unbelief?

(I tried to load URLs to your articles but they don’t work on this terminal.)

There are big and famous atheists IN the Church, among other places (no I’m not going to presume to name them - it’s just a fear).