It's Time to Admit: Pope Francis Is Kind of Awesome (Esquire gets religion)

Stephen Marche ^ | July 5, 2013 | Stephen Marche

[John O]

What if at the last moment they choose Christ?

Then they're not atheists anymore, are they?

OK, just to be blatantly clear. All atheists who remain atheists until they die, go to hell. (That better?) :)

[NYer]

Is praise from a leftist a good thing?

Agreed. That is why I did not post this article and ping the list. The Catholic Church does not need to hear its pope praised by Elton John, whose lifestyle is diametrically opposed to what the church teaches.

[NYer]

Try this one on for size.

Why Pelosi Catholics Love Pope Francis (What is a Pelosi Catholic Anyway?)

[piusv]

He's even said that atheists, if we lead a good life, aren't necessarily going to hell.

Whether the Pope meant this or not is irrelevant. The issue is that MANY people took his words this way (Catholic and non-Catholic alike), not just the atheist author of this piece. We can sit here and say well, that's the problem of those who misunderstood him. Or we can say that perhaps the Pope needs to make sure that he is CLEAR when he talks about Heaven/Hell and atheists in the same homily. Those topics are way too important to cause confusion in the minds of anyone.

[Mrs. Don-o]

True. So how are these atheists going to come to know Jesus. By reading the Gideon Bible in a hotel room? Not likely, esp. if the motel has cable. By wandering into a Bible Church by accident? Even less likely. By being involved in something where he meets committed Christians? Much more likely.

Two atheists I know who have become Christians, did so because of their involvement in thinks like special ed for handicapped kids, "first responder" volunteer groups for disaster relief, and plain old ordinary soup kitchen.

So it makes sense to invite atheists to be involved in good works, not because they can "earn" their way to heaven (that's impossible) but because they may meet people who know about the Source of all good.

[Mrs. Don-o]

There's, as in any mission situation, an element of tension or ambivalence there, of course.

True, one could see author SStephen Marche as just a dumb atheist, whose attraction is superficial and who doesn't, factually, know a lot. Or you could see him as a lost, lost sheep who has just lifted his hear, because he heard the Master's voice.

Elton John is a musician who markets perverted sexuality ---- , yes, that he is ---- but also as a troubled soul who can still respond to a humble and appealing man of God. Both Stephen Marche and Elton John may be individuals who, despite their darkened souls, still CAN respond.

I think that's who Pope Francis is going after. Like Jesus said, this "Kingdom of God" business is like a dragnet that catches all kinds of fish.

If you know anything about how a dragnet works (does "bottom-feeding scum suckers" ring a bell?) you can only whistle, shake your head with a smile, and say "Yeah. All kinds!!" Jesus! A genius at saving the lost! Savior is His name! It's what He does!

[markomalley]

I'm just very, very, very suspicious of this kind of publicity, as it can become very addictive.

(Maybe it's my "wise as serpents" coming out here...)

[Mrs. Don-o]

Yeah, I know. It's more than a little strange.

Oh, well. Wait til the LGBT hits the fan!!

[John O]

I agree entirely.
But that still doesn’t chaneg the fact that all atheists (who remain atheists at the time of their death) go to hell.

[Mrs. Don-o]

True; and even all those who say “Lord, Lord” will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

So we strive and pray for all!