Gee, Thanks

Pope Francis says atheists aren't monsters. "Even the atheists" have the capacity for good. EVEN THE ATHEISTS. Well, I certainly feel relieved to have the Pope's validation that I can be a decent person.

The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: Do good and do not do evil. All of us. "But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good." Yes, he can... The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: All of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! "Father, the atheists?" Even the atheists. Everyone!... 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.

On the one hand, I appreciate that the Pope is telling Catholics that atheists aren't garbage demons. Thank you for doing the bare minimum, sir!

On the other hand, there are some problems with the message, not least of which is that I'm not sure that Pope Francis and I would define "doing good" in the same way. HA HA we definitely don't have the same ideas about "doing good" when it comes to reproductive rights advocacy or marriage equality! FOR EXAMPLE.

And, you know, I'm no more thrilled about being told I'm totes going to heaven ("you're so redeemed, lady; I will meet you in heaven for crumpets!") than I am about being told I'm going to hell. If you respect my right to be an atheist, then stop trying to shoehorn my life into your religiously-defined eternal fates.

For the record: "God loves you even though you're an atheist" isn't a compliment.

[H/T to Shaker newdealwithit.]