Catholic Teaching on Death

[Drew0426]

First off, I ask you all to take a look at this bit of satire written by an atheist:
youtube.com/watch?v=urlTBBKTO68

My first impression (other than being generally offended) was that the submitter had a skewed view of Christianity. If “the atheist” in the video (unintentionally) followed Jesus’ teachings (ten years of charity work, for example), do we all (addressing mainly the Catholics in this forum, here) really think that he’d be thrown immediately into Hell, just for a lack of faith?

For argument’s sake, let’s assume that the man’s atheism was due to invincible ignorance (as the video seems to hint). I understand that none of us have the power to judge the lives and actions of others, but doesn’t Catholic teaching imply that the man would not go straight to Hell?

If his lack of faith was genuinely not his fault, doesn’t the Catholic Church teach that he wouldn’t be held completely responsible for it when the time came?

If the answer is yes, then does it seem that this video is directed more towards Sola Fide believers? I saw this video around a month ago, then began learning of the teachings of other denominations of Christianity (for reasons unrelated to me seeing the video), such as Sola Fide. My original assumption was that the writer of the video knew little about Christianity, but could it be that he thinks we all believe in Sola Fide, and knows little about Christianity as a whole? Perhaps he’s only taking some non-Catholic groups into account? What do you all think?

Note: I know that this video is offensive; it was clearly drawn up to offend, to entertain, and to poke a bit of fun at Christianity. I’m in no way saying that I approve of this video; I just happened to see it, and it raised the questions expressed above.

Thanks all, Drew

 

[Alexander_Smith]

“Just” for his lack of faith? Are good deeds more important than faith?

This video is basically a laundry list of typical Atheist arguments against God. The most popular one seems to be that if they don’t believe, God is being “petty” or unmerciful for condemning them to hell. They can’t have it both ways.

Also, in these modern times when we have tremendous access to information, there is really no excuse for disbelief due to ignorance. If a person does not believe and refuses to research the issues to challenge his/her disbelief, their ignorance is intended, and they are at fault because of that.

 

[Drew0426]

“Just” for his lack of faith? Are good deeds more important than faith?

This video is basically a laundry list of typical Atheist arguments against God. The most popular one seems to be that if they don’t believe, God is being “petty” or unmerciful for condemning them to hell. They can’t have it both ways.

Also, in these modern times when we have tremendous access to information, there is really no excuse for disbelief due to ignorance. If a person does not believe and refuses to research the issues to challenge his/her disbelief, their ignorance is intended, and they are at fault because of that.

Sure, but is that to say that without faith in our God, one has absolutely no chance to be saved, as this video suggests? I agree that faith is a wonderful, incredibly important thing to have for one to have hope in salvation, but still… What if it really wasn’t his fault?

Despite having access to information, I wouldn’t personally blame him for not looking up things to give him faith in God, just to “be safe” …I don’t look up Hindu teachings just in case they (Hindus) are right.

 

[TheQuestioner]

First off, I ask you all to take a look at this bit of satire written by an atheist:
youtube.com/watch?v=urlTBBKTO68

My first impression (other than being generally offended) was that the submitter had a skewed view of Christianity. If “the atheist” in the video (unintentionally) followed Jesus’ teachings (ten years of charity work, for example), do we all (addressing mainly the Catholics in this forum, here) really think that he’d be thrown immediately into Hell, just for a lack of faith?

In Catholic teaching, it is not about how many good works you do. It’s about accepting the grace of God, and thus doing works (coporeal or spiritual) in love. This can only be done in a state of grace.

Thus, your entrance into heaven doesn’t depend on how many acts of mercy you do per say, but the spirit in which you do them. If one continually rejects grace to a minor degree (God is calling them to stop swearing) then they will go to purgatory to be purged of this weakness. If one continually rejects grace to a great degree (God is calling them to go to Church and worship Him, thus fulfilling their role as human beings) they reject Love itself, God, and remove Him from their souls. When they die, they will go to hell.

So yes, faith is important, but more than mere belief. We are called to serve our God. We are saved by grace through faith working in love. When we reject truth (that God exists) we reject God, because God is Truth. And when we reject God, we reject Love, because God is love. In that case, our actions wont be done **in **divine love, though they can be done out of love. They still have that capacity.

Hence, an atheist can be a good person because they have the capacity to love, but they cannot do acts of love within the Spirit, and so, cannot be sanctified or justified. Remember that without Christ, none of our works would mean anything. So without Christ, none of the atheists works mean anything, though the Christians works mean something (as imperfect as they are).

For argument’s sake, let’s assume that the man’s atheism was due to invincible ignorance (as the video seems to hint). I understand that none of us have the power to judge the lives and actions of others, but doesn’t Catholic teaching imply that the man would not go straight to Hell?

If his lack of faith was genuinely not his fault, doesn’t the Catholic Church teach that he wouldn’t be held completely responsible for it when the time came?

Yes, this is correct.

If the answer is yes, then does it seem that this video is directed more towards Sola Fide believers? I saw this video around a month ago, then began learning of the teachings of other denominations of Christianity (for reasons unrelated to me seeing the video), such as Sola Fide. My original assumption was that the writer of the video knew little about Christianity, but could it be that he thinks we all believe in Sola Fide, and knows little about Christianity as a whole? Perhaps he’s only taking some non-Catholic groups into account? What do you all think?

Note: I know that this video is offensive; it was clearly drawn up to offend, to entertain, and to poke a bit of fun at Christianity. I’m in no way saying that I approve of this video; I just happened to see it, and it raised the questions expressed above.

Thanks all, Drew

You know I find it funny. Sometimes when I speak with an atheist, they would often bring up the usual argument like this one. I would give an informed Catholic answer (these questions would stump protestant responses, which are usually “God’s sovereignty”, which is not wrong in and of itself) and they would say to me “wow, I’ve never heard it explained like that before”.

Yes, you’re assumption is right.

Many atheists assume all Christians are Sola Fide. If only, then us pesky Catholics wouldn’t be such a stumbling block to them. You may notice that they attack protestants on doctrine and philosophy and theology, but attack Catholics on morals. Well there is a reason for this. A Catholic will not tend to lean on “sovereignty” for an answer. He will show you that your argument is wrong and that God is indeed loving. When they attack us on morals, it is usually a matter of moral relativism or hedonism, and not so much the moral ramifications of certain actions.

 

[TheQuestioner]

Despite having access to information, I wouldn’t personally blame him for not looking up things to give him faith in God, just to “be safe” …I don’t look up Hindu teachings just in case they (Hindus) are right.

You make a good point here. However, man as a creature is drawn to his Creator. He initially knows that God is there in his heart. That being the case, if he seeks to kill that voice that tells him “find God” then he rejects the grace of God. As such, if an atheist never has any inclination to search, then you may have a case. This however, never seems to be the case for any human being. We all search and try to find God in the greatest capacity we can. If a Hindu doesn’t look up Christianity it is different, because in his own capacity he is still trying to give what he believes is God his whole self and being. Unless however, he is drawn to Christianity and actively refuses to listen to God’s call. As a rule this calling will always come too. They may not know therefore who God is, but may come to know what God is. This still isn’t enough to save them, unless it is by no fault of their own they don’t come to the Christian God. If they had the chance but ignored…well:shrug:.

An atheist however can never usually claim “I never had that inclination”. Well, maybe, who knows what God is doing in the heart of a man anyway? But as a rule, all humans have that inclination. Our society has ignored that, hence it’s tendency to drink and take drugs and party and seek worldly things inordinately in order to numb the pain that is caused by the loss of God. Still, for those internet atheists who seek to attack Christianity without being informed about it, it is bigotry and hatred. If I attacked Hinduism without knowing anything about it I would be called the same.

 

[Drew0426]

Thanks to TheQuestioner for clarifying a few things for me. I’m still learning, as we all are!