Atheists in Heaven

In the homily at a morning mass last week, Pope Francis told the story of a Catholic who asked a priest if even atheists had been redeemed by Jesus. The answer? “Even them, everyone,” as the Pope told the story, “We ALL have the duty to do good.”

“But I don’t believe in Jesus,” said the atheist in the Pope’s story.

“Just do good and we’ll find a meeting point,” came the answer.

A Pope embracing Atheists!

I figure if anyone would have a comment on that it would an atheist in Seattle, which located in one of the most un-churched regions of the country.

Erica Johnson is President of Seattle atheists.

“That one sentence: That we have a duty to be good, to do good. Yes! That is the essence of secular humanism – to be good for the sake of being good. Because the reward of helping people is powerful right in the moment of doing it.

“So if his [Pope Francis’] focus is going to be on getting rid of conflict and people working together to make the world a better place, that is wonderful.”

I asked, it sounds like you think this pope would make a pretty good secular humanist then?

“He has said some very wonderful secular humanist things. I don’t know how secular he is,” said Johnson. “We would also love to see him start being in favor of condom use as a way to combat HIV.”

That might be rushing things. Although for a Pope who says Atheists can get to heaven — who knows?