You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven

Atheist_1

Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven
Michael Day @michael2day Thursday 12 September 2013


Pope Francis gestures upon his arrival in St Peter's square Getty Images

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”

In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.

In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-assures-atheists-you-don-t-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven-8810062.html

para ateis, sila syukur laa............  

Sephiroth

Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

And what if their conscience says it is OK to kill, rape and plunder as long as they have a genuine reasons to do so? Is such people are allowed into your heaven as well?

IF a religion do not draw a line between right or wrong, moral and immoral, ethics and unethical conducts, then what use is it?

A religion should be firm in its belief and encourages its followers to do good, be good and change for the good. The followers should know what is good and what is not. They should feel rewarded when they strive toward goodness, morality and ethics. Yes, some will fail as humans are flesh and blood and it is hard to fight temptation but that should not be the reason for the followers to continue to do sin, expecting "God" to forgive them. There should be a line drawn.

Finally, One should follow a religion (or practice Spiritualism if you are not religious) solely for the reason of finding God, NOT to find Heaven. Heaven and Hell exists just for your test - to see whether you live a Spiritual life because of God or because of (rewards of) Heaven OR fear of Hell.