I’m an atheist. My Catholic father thinks I’ll go to heaven

  • Thread starter Thread starter WillPhillips
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VanitasVanitatum said:
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WillPhillips:
And people wonder why me, an American atheist, are so closeted in our lives
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I never heard of this. There are those who are rather proud and about.
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As an American? Maybe other countries. But generally, atheists in America are the “bottom of the food chain”…and are quite closeted. Just look at the religious breakdown of Americans (1 in 4 non-religious) compared to our leaders/politicians (not one open atheist and only one congressional non-religious rep). Being openly non-religious is a no no here.
 
This is where I am answering, “Or is there some theology/history behind his rationale?” I think his love for you is getting in the way, because if we are truly following the bible, as Catholics, we are listening to the word of Jesus. He says I am the way, the truth and the life, and the quotes from the verses in the bible I gave you talks about giving up a family member who is not in the faith, and how he wants us who are followers of Christ to submit to him always. And even if it causes Pain, we must bear our cross and continue on to giving the Lord our attention with or without people who do not want to follow. So your Father chooses to believe that he might possibly give you salvation through prayer, words of encouragement, and fatherly love, just like St. Monica praying for the Conversion of St. Augustine who was also an ex-Atheist and a Scholar. But a definite answer to this question depends on your conversion or not ultimately its your choice.
 
I was reading your replies to comments, and noted your “journey of deconversion” statement. My question to you is; how can you walk away from something you never knew? The very core belief of Christianity, the very foundation of it, is that you must accept Our Lord, Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Surely anyone who is/was in the least bit familiar with the Faith knows this. Salvation is not given, or rather handed out, especially to those that reject him. If this were true, if we were all saved regardless if we believed in Christ or not, there would be no purpose for the Second Coming of Christ (Our Judgement). Not knowing Him IS rejecting Him, if you are not with Him you are against Him. Yes, I have read your OP and how you seem dissatisfied with the 200+ responses.
Jesus died through love of us, so that we MIGHT live.
Technically, your “very Catholic father” is committing the sin of Omission by not telling you the truth, or by refusing to see the truth for himself.

Maybe this verse from the Book of Matthew will answer your question

Matthew 24:13-The one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
 
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We were asked our opinion. Thats what CA is all about! Good grief!
 
Why are so many people posting here, with comments like yours, that don’t even attempt to answer my question?
 
There seems general agreement here.
There is a strong probability you will go to heaven.
‘(God) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Tim 2:4) is able to get what he wants.
 
NoelFitz said:
There seems general agreement here.
There is a strong probability you will go to heaven.
‘(God) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Tim 2:4) is able to get what he wants.
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So if I were to die having not come to the knowledge of the truth (ie atheist/not-a-believer) I would not got to heaven, correct? I would have to convert before death.

Seems a pretty straightforward teaching to me. But the idea of only God-rejectors in hell (as is their choice), is what’s new to me (ie one cant choose to reject something they don’t believe in). Personally I don’t think this sounds like Catholic teaching, but was curious to see what I could find and where he might have gotten these ideas.
 
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