The Pope gives Atheists some credit

[LuisDantas]

Pope Francis said in his first General Audience of 2019 that it is better to be an atheist than a churchgoing Christian who hates other people. In 2017, he suggested it was better for one to be an atheist than a Catholic who leads a hypocritical double life.

Wow, a Pope who is calling out those who claim to be Christian.

More like "a Pope who begins to point out that there is no substantial moral advantage in Christians".

 

[Cooky]

More like "a Pope who begins to point out that there is no substantial moral advantage in Christians".

That's a true statement.

We all sin alike. Just in different ways.

The shame is to be content with it, or to be oblivious to it in the case of self righteous Christians...

 

[lewisnotmiller]

At least atheism is very easy to teach.

You would think so, but I'm actually not so sure. It's amazing how many people seem to think there's quite a bit to it. Even more amazing how many of them are atheists.
Still, I think we are in solid agreement on this, so that pretty clearly makes it 100% accurate.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

No god, end lesson.

For a fleshless skull, you really do hit the nail on the head sometimes.

 

[Audie]

For a fleshless skull, you really do hit the nail on the head sometimes.

You sure you cannot mix up your metaphors
a bit better than that?

 

[metis]

Pope Francis said in his first General Audience of 2019 that it is better to be an atheist than a churchgoing Christian who hates other people. In 2017, he suggested it was better for one to be an atheist than a Catholic who leads a hypocritical double life.

Wow, a Pope who is calling out those who claim to be Christian.

As did Jesus as he called out the hypocrites.

 

[metis]

That pedophile can keep his praise. He can give it out to those who deserve it, i.e more pedophiles. It's how the church works nowadays.

So you're into stereotyping? Can you explain how that in any way is moral?

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

Hmm... not sure how to take the Pope's words. Probably my experience with too many snide remarks from theists where it was immediately claimed by the person that "that's not what was saying!" when called out on it. But what I see is that he's saying that you're better off not believing (and therefore, by implication, completely lacking a strict moral code) so that you are at least not being hypocritical and can "get away with" whatever actions/words that would be hypocritical for a Christian. In being an atheist you are at least not breaking the moral code of a "real" Christian with poor actions/words. Seems like it could be a cheap shot to me.

 

[metis]

Let me just say that I have known a great many theists and atheists over my 74 years, and I'd rather spend time with moral atheists than anything-goes theists.

 

[Cooky]

Hmm... not sure how to take the Pope's words. Probably my experience with too many snide remarks from theists where it was immediately claimed by the person that "that's not what was saying!" when called out on it. But what I see is that he's saying that you're better off not believing (and therefore, by implication, completely lacking a strict moral code) so that you are at least not being hypocritical and can "get away with" whatever actions/words that would be hypocritical for a Christian. In being an atheist you are at least not breaking the moral code of a "real" Christian with poor actions/words. Seems like it could be a cheap shot to me.

His words in this ring hollow for me... It doesn't make sense.

 

[Cooky]

Let me just say that I have known a great many theists and atheists over my 74 years, and I'd rather spend time with moral atheists than anything-goes theists.

You're misunderstanding.. The pope is not referring to lay Catholics. He's referring to clergymen.

...But even then, suggesting they reject their own faith in God is none of his business. Resign from the preiesthood on the other hand..? Yes, perhaps.

 

[Thief]

But Jesus' whole ministry was based on the forgiveness of sin.

"It will be shed [His blood] for you and for all, so that sins may be forgiven"

yeah well....a sin against the Spirit will not be forgiven

now in MY case......I'm hoping for some really extensive leniency

note my avatar

 

[metis]

You're misunderstanding.. The pope is not referring to lay Catholics. He's referring to clergymen.

...But even then, suggesting they reject their own faith in God is none of his business. Resign from the preiesthood on the other hand..? Yes, perhaps.

I only was commenting on what's in the OP, therefore I don't know what the full context was. But either way, PF seems to have repeated what he has publicly stated before, namely that one's actions speaks louder than one's words.

 

[ChristineM]

For a fleshless skull, you really do hit the nail on the head sometimes.

My skull is old and wise ;-)

 

[metis]

My skull is old and wise ;-)

Looks pretty thick to me.

 

[ChristineM]

Looks pretty thick to me.

Ahh, paleontology, cool.

True, it actually is a considerably thicker bone structure than that ofof modern humans, the entire skeleton of cro magnon was on a bigger and thicker structure.

Interestingly the brainpan of early humans is about 10 to 13% bigger than modern humans. Our brains have shrunk in 20+ thousand years.

 

[FragrantGrace]

Pope Francis said in his first General Audience of 2019 that it is better to be an atheist than a churchgoing Christian who hates other people. In 2017, he suggested it was better for one to be an atheist than a Catholic who leads a hypocritical double life.

Wow, a Pope who is calling out those who claim to be Christian.

This pope also said on a different occasion that atheists go to Heaven if they're good people. Video Link

There's a move on now that includes some 16 bishops in the catholic church to have pope Francis declared a heretic.
Conservatives want Catholic bishops to denounce pope as heretic


There's someone in media in Rome that writes articles carrying unsubstantiated claims of things the pope has said . None of these interviews are recorded. It appears the man is dedicated to smearing the pope. Or he's looking to pile on false claims thinking they're be believed behind what unusual decrees the pope has actually made.
Like that reporters claim the pope said there is no Hell. Video Link

 

[dingdao]

As convenient as that may be, I think I'll pass. I don't believe the pope actually said that... I think people purposely misrepresent what he says all the time by taking snippets out of context.

(I think his statement was to clergy only)

Pope Francis: Better to be an atheist than a churchgoing Christian who hates others
There is the context.

 

[Faithofchristian]

Pope Francis said in his first General Audience of 2019 that it is better to be an atheist than a churchgoing Christian who hates other people. In 2017, he suggested it was better for one to be an atheist than a Catholic who leads a hypocritical double life.

Wow, a Pope who is calling out those who claim to be Christian.

Yeah isn't that amazing, However do little people know Christ Jesus does the same thing in Matthew 24:5
5--" For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many"

So who else besides Christians comes in the name of Christ?

Christian means a follower of Christ

If you abbreviate Christian it becomes
Christian = Christ
Christ = Christian

So there you have it, many Christians will come in the name of Christ.

But that doesn't mean they are Christ followers.

 

[Cooky]

Pope Francis: Better to be an atheist than a churchgoing Christian who hates others
There is the context.

He's talking about non-Catholic Christians. Such as fundamentalists... I think... I hope...

The article goes on, to say: "Francis has made similar comments throughout his papacy, sometimes criticizing his own Catholic Church members. In 2017, he......."