Well for a moment I thought perhaps the Pope had been watching me as an adolescent arguing with my "Sunday School" teachers (well, we were apparently Methodists so he would not watch us). I remember it well - parents forcing me to go to Sunday School while they stayed home or played golf, me sitting there with hair down to my shoulders and a beard at 17, trying hard to understand why it was not living a "Christian" life that was important, but saying the magic words about "Accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior" that was paramount. In essence, be an asshole, but espouse belief.
Me: So you mean that if I live a life consistent with Christina values but do not accept Christ as my savior that I will go to hell?
Them: Yes!
Me: But how about all the thieving, whoring, evil people who live a life of greed, deception, and infidelity - and then make a death bed confession and ask for His forgiveness - they go to Heaven?
Them: Yes
Me: Well, shit...that makes no sense. You are saying your God cares nothing for how we live, only that we are sycophants. Fuck over your fellow humans, but say the magic words. I quit.
Then along came the new Pope (I confess I do not follow Popes), telling me that it is not just belief and faith that are important, but a life of good works and that "We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist.’ But do good: We will meet one another there.” I thought - literally - Holy Shit - I think that's what I was saying 40 years ago.
Alas, not so fast - such an approach apparently would kill the business model! The Church (you know, the one the Pope leads) has clarified the "policy" - if you ain't with us, then no Heaven for you!
Sad. I still say that no God who demands worship of us, who demands fealty, but really requires nothing else of us, does not require that we treat each other fairly and with dignity, is worth his weight in - well, whatever Gods are made of. Certainly not worthy of worship.
I think he knows better - this is a human invention!
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