Do you have an idea how good Atheist will be saved?

[AntiTheist]

Actually, what the Church teaches is that if you, through no fault of your own, fail to accept the Fullness of Truth then there may be a possibility for salvation by the Grace of God’s Mercy. There is no guarantee of salvation. That’s why we believe that we must “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling (Pp 2:12).”

shrugs Ok. If you say so.

Personally, all this “saved from penalty of sin which is death” stuff is nothing more than the fear of death. But the fact of the matter is that no one gets out of here alive. From my perspective, it’s better to face up to reality than it is than to pin hopes on fairy stories. But it’s nice to know that I’ll probably be “saved” from death if your particular story turns out to be true (and not one of the hundreds of other stories).

 

[AJTheMan]

Which means what, exactly?

They’re speaking of hell, I believe.

If I remember correctly, Judaism does not teach of a hell for people – only that the chosen people will be taken to heaven whereas the rest will be left on Earth. I can see your confusion.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

For us Catholics and other Christians, we need Jesus Christ to be saved. However for those who are of different faith, do you have an idea how they will be saved? I believe that even though they do not have the fullness of truth, there are atheists who are good people.

formaldehyde?

 

[Scotist]

People of other faiths and ignorant of the truth can be saved on account of their good actions.
As for atheists; to love or at least not to hate god is required of us. Denial of god is the greatest of sins as it leads to many errors like hatred of god, pride, and despair for a future life. It is required of us to be in a state of grace (“friendship with god”) at the time of death, something atheists explicitly reject.
But, then again we never know the extent of god’s mercy.

 

[Qoheleth]

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

You all may want to take a look at this sermon on how many are saved.

 

[Matt_Macomber]

For us Catholics and other Christians, we need Jesus Christ to be saved. However for those who are of different faith, do you have an idea how they will be saved? I believe that even though they do not have the fullness of truth, there are atheists who are good people.

That’s a good question. I hear from many Atheists online that say they are good people and even some Christians such as yourself may wonder why they don’t deserve heaven. The only thing that bothers me is why do Atheists think that the only thing necessary in life is to be a good person. I don’t think God’s plan is only for people to be good, or most people would never be saved. That is why God set up a plan for Christians to do in order to reach salvation and if being a good person would be the only thing necessary then most things in the bible wouldn’t be in there in the first place.

 

[Kaninchen]

They’re speaking of hell, I believe.

If I remember correctly, Judaism does not teach of a hell for people – only that the chosen people will be taken to heaven whereas the rest will be left on Earth. I can see your confusion.

Well, that’s not what Judaism teaches but you’re partly right before the hyphen.

 

[Kaninchen]

As I’ve argued before here, the great sales pitch of Christianity was to invent an illness (you’re all doomed!) and proclaim itself the only cure ('believe exactly what we believe in - in precisely the way we tell you to do and you will be ‘saved’). Later, of course, Christians split into different groups all saying the same thing to one another.

Asking people of other faiths about whether people are saved or not rather presumes that they believe that they’re doomed in the first place.

 

[mystagogia]

Part ways with atheists. They are not good people. Why do you think they are? Because they have a nice collection of stuffed animals, or say kind things, or whatever?

They are at war with God, that means Jesus Christ. I make a distinction here between an agnostic, who by definition takes no side and makes no claim on God, and an atheist, who does take a side. The atheist is an anti-theist, one who stands against God.

Atheists are poison, they are corrosive. You risk harm by association with them, no matter how benign they seem.

Rid yourself of atheist associations. Cling to Christians, those who love Christ.

 

[alitaptap]

The first fallacy of this argument is defining “good”. Define what you mean by saying there are atheists who are good people??

A person who don’t believe in God or Jesus Christ but keeps on serving the people, and there are positive impacts he/she has on people’s lives. He/she can turn Good Friday to Easter Sunday. :bangheadThe last sentence is not included)

 

[JRKH]

An Atheist, by common definition, does not believe in God, heaven or afterlife.
Belief is the crucial first step. Without it there is no hope.

Let me see if I can explain it this way.

*There was an island. On this island lived a large community with a rich and varied and ancient culture. Contained in this culture were stories, handed down from ancient times, of a far off land they called “nevaeh” though no one living had ever been there. One of the stores even told of some people arriving from “nevaeh” and telling the islanders how to get there.
Because no one living had ever seen this or been there, there were those who discussed and even argued about just where it was, how far it was, and what the best way was to get there. Many dreamed of someday going there.
There were also people who firmly believed that “nevaeh” did not exist and was just stories and even mocked those who believed the ancient stories.

The Island then began to be shaken by earthquakes and to slowly sink into the ocean. It became obvious that the islanders were going to have to leave. Those who believed the stories of “nevaeh” built various boats and prepared to set off even though they still could not completely agree on how to go about it. There was even a boat of people who weren’t sure if or what stories might be true but figured that trying for “nevaeh” was better than staying.
Those who did not believe the stories refused to be involved and prefered instead to “accept” the inevitability of death on their island.

Now - Of those who set out certain ones arrived at “nevaeh” quickly while others did not. When told of this, those at “nevaeh” quickly set out, to find and bring in those who were still on the sea for they did not want these believers to be lost.
They did not seek out those who did not leave the island because those at “nevaeh” respected the decision of those on the island and did not wish to force them to come to “nevaeh”*

And So it is with Atheists. They refuse to believe in the far off land we call Heaven and thus they refuse to “get into the boat” of belief and faith.

This is why “belief”, even the belief of agnosticism is better than the non-belief of atheism. Because “Belief” is the essential first element needed for salvation.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

I would like to address something that I think is an essential element in talking about atheism and atheists.

It has been my experience that, in most cases, it is not so much that Atheists reject God, as it its they reject the images of God that have been presented to them by organized religion.

References I’ve heard to “fairy stories” and “magic men” or “magic beings” etc. seem ample proof that many atheists are reacting only to “God” as seen through the eyes of ancient man.
They see how ancient beliefs, and concepts have been overtaken by science - like earthquakes are “natural” and not “the wrath of God” and conclude that “religion” is based solely upon “superstition”. Yet most will readily agree that there is much that is unexplained and/or unexplanable by science.

Perhaps soon, God will give us some new language, some new understanding of Himself, to help us reach those who are put off, less by God himself, than by the limited and ancient understandings of God. Or perhasp the second coming will simply occur and answer all of the questions - to the delight of some and the consternation of others.

Peace
James

 

[BouncingBall]

I would like to address something that I think is an essential element in talking about atheism and atheists.

It has been my experience that, in most cases, it is not so much that Atheists reject God, as it its they reject the images of God that have been presented to them by organized religion.

References I’ve heard to “fairy stories” and “magic men” or “magic beings” etc. seem ample proof that many atheists are reacting only to “God” as seen through the eyes of ancient man.
They see how ancient beliefs, and concepts have been overtaken by science - like earthquakes are “natural” and not “the wrath of God” and conclude that “religion” is based solely upon “superstition”. Yet most will readily agree that there is much that is unexplained and/or unexplanable by science.

***Perhaps soon, God will give us some new language, some new understanding of Himself, to help us reach those who are put off, less by God himself, than by the limited and ancient understandings of God. *** Or perhasp the second coming will simply occur and answer all of the questions - to the delight of some and the consternation of others.

Peace
James

He did. This was accomplished in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who came to us, lived among us and rose from the dead.

People want to worship men all the time (Reagan, Obama, Elvis). But in the Person of the Man Jesus Christ, the only Man worthy of worship, adoration and praise, they have their legitimate chance. * “Now is the acceptable time…”*

 

[JRKH]

He did. This was accomplished in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who came to us, lived among us and rose from the dead.

People want to worship men all the time (Reagan, Obama, Elvis). But in the Person of the Man Jesus Christ, the only Man worthy of worship, adoration and praise, they have their legitimate chance. * “Now is the acceptable time…”*

I appreciate this but since this is also part of the “ancient” understandings that atheists reject, my comment was meant to address the problem from a different angle and in more modern terms.

To put it in perspective, When Jesus came He caught many people “flatfooted”, even many learned people. Why? Because he didn’t “fit the mold” that they had “pre-conceived”. He spoke a “new language” of salvation and of understanding about the nature of God. He did not “change” the fundamental nature of God, rather he changed and increased our understanding of Him.

Peace
James

 

[Scotist]

As I’ve argued before here, the great sales pitch of Christianity was to invent an illness (you’re all doomed!)

This sale pitch isn’t part of Catholicism, but, you knew it already, right?

 

[bilop]

For us Catholics and other Christians, we need Jesus Christ to be saved. However for those who are of different faith, do you have an idea how they will be saved? I believe that even though they do not have the fullness of truth, there are atheists who are good people.

Short answer, they won’t be. No people are “good” we are all grievous sinners and can only be saved by the mercy of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

The one technical exception would be an atheist (or any non-Christian for that matter) who lived in invincible ignorance (i.e. never heard the Gospel of Christ preached) and yet committed no mortal sin in his life (i.e. no grave sins that violate the natural law).

Very, very few people are likely to be saved by this means.

God Bless

 

[alitaptap]

I agree with you my friend.

I think that God lectures them strongly when they die. Sort of like a “Hey now—I was right here. What more do you need to see? What’s it gonna take?”

Do you consider atheists as closed-minded and/or hardened hearts?

 

[Kaninchen]

This sale pitch isn’t part of Catholicism, but, you knew it already, right?

So, saved from what?

 

[Scotist]

So, saved from what?

From hell, many Protestants and Muslims believe that being outside their group always gets you a one-way ticket to hell. A mad, unjust belief in my opinion.

Again,it is not a Catholic doctrine.

 

[AntiTheist]

Part ways with atheists. They are not good people.

Well, aren’t you lovely…

JRKH:

It has been my experience that, in most cases, it is not so much that Atheists reject God, as it its they reject the images of God that have been presented to them by organized religion.

Ok, I’ll make it easy for you: I reject the existence of a supreme being, of an intelligence that exists apart from a body, and of anything that is claimed to exist outside the universe.

I don’t reject these things out of “faith,” but out of the fact that there is no evidence for any such thing. I will not accept the existence of any such things until there is sufficient, confirmed evidence for them.

Belief is the crucial first step. Without it there is no hope.

Nonsense. I have plenty of hope – in friends, in family, in art, in my own achievements, in my community, in life itself.

I also am mature enough to accept that life must eventually end and that I’m not some super-special magical being that’s gonna live forever and ever ever. That’s all.