But again, the Pope does not clearly teach that atheists are not saved. Instead, he currently teaches in his most recent comments that if they follow their consciences they too can be saved. He goes on to say that sin is going against one’s conscience, not Divine Law....and nowhere does he mention the need to be Catholic for a the best shot at getting into Heaven. Typical post-Vatican II rhetoric that misguides a whole lot of souls.
I don’t comprehend the FRoman response to this matter. So far, every Catholic I have challenged on this issue has defended their Universalism, albeit a universalism with conditions. That is, ‘serving goodness and truth,’ being an “Atheistic Good Samaritan,” not “rejecting Jesus Christ,” but having excuse when they do due to “bad examples of Catholics,” or a lack of proper knowledge or possessing of a prejudice “through no fault of their own.”
In my opinion, this is the biggest heresy the Catholics can offer, and all those who hold to it have thoroughly put themselves out of Christianity. Since this appears to be the mainstream view, which the Pope in no way contradicted, I can’t consider Roman Catholicism to have anything to do with Christianity anymore, seeing as how it denies salvation through Christ and encourages men to remain in their sin.
The FRomans seem to want things both ways. That is, that they don’t teach it. But they do teach it, but they defend themselves on the basis of a nuance that is still as blasphemous and wholly Pelagian as it was before. I think that the FRomans would have been okay with this comments if they had not been highlighted in a paper. If tucked away, they enjoy these subversive comments well enough.
First milk, then meat.
This isn't downplaying doctrine. That will come in due time. This is all about beginning a relationship of love.
Notice that Francis' first message to atheists isn't "You're morally retarded and you're going to hell unless you all join Christ's Church." No. Rather, he says, "Welcome. Do you seek goodness? Of course! Then let's start our friendship in Christ with that."
And among his first messages to his fellow Christians, is this: "Please stop running people off with your mouth."
Makes me wonder if he's ever seen our Religion Forum.