Pope Francis Says Atheists Who Do Good Are Redeemed, Not Just Catholics

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Sounds like Francis would agree with the quote in my sig.

“Always it is easier to pay homage to prophets than to heed the direction of their vision.”
                Clinton Lee Scott

It definitely sounds like he is saying it is more important to act as Jesus the man did than to revere him as Jesus the king.

In the words of John 14:23-24:

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[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It's almost like saying that it's "fascinating" that Richard Nixon served in the U.S. military during World War II.

Don't kid yourself, man.  Nothing is as interesting as a Nazi pope.  Well, except maybe a Jewish pope.  I don't really see that happening, though.

I could have sworn Peter was Jewish.

More seriously, are there any statistics on the numbers of ethnic Jews today who practice other religions?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

God's mercy has no limits, says pope in 2,500-word letter to Italian newspaper answering questions from non-believer

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Unfortunately many liberals, both religious and irreligious, will focus on the "God's mercy has no limits" part of that statement and ignore the "if He is approached with a sincere and repentant heart".  I'm a Universalst in the sense that all have access to God's mercy, but not in the sense that all will ultimately take advantage of it.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Not really disagreeing with you, but my point was that some tend to view God's mercy as not requiring any effort on one's part to obtain.

(P.S.  When I use the term God, I'm being more generic than any one particular perception of God, be it Elohim, YHWH, Jesus, or even Finagle.)

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Not really disagreeing with you, but my point was that some tend to view God's mercy as not requiring any effort on one's part to obtain.

This strikes me as a particularly absurd belief to hold. I can't imagine anyone serious about their faith could believe that.

If you believe in the concepts of good and evil, I'd agree with you, but there are those who deny the relevance of that dichotomy.  If there be no such thing as evil, how could a just and loving God deny anyone mercy and salvation?