Is Religious Fundamentalism a "Mental Illness"?

[Darkwind]

Clinging to imaginary sky fairies could be termed a mental illness but its fascinating that, throughout history, most cultures, most societies have shared the same delusion.

Rather than calling it a mental illness, maybe its more accurate to call it a flaw, a weakness, a way of dealing with fear.

In the US, as long as they stay in their place - "churches" - its relatively harmless. I would really like to see fundies like Westboro and other pedo/women/gay hate groups disguised as churches, refused tax free status though. Otherwise, I don't care if they speak in tongues, wear magic undies and play with serpents.

Psychosis is culturally based. I've seen plenty of psychotic atheists and muslims. Their psychosis just includes things not a part of Christianity.

perhaps you should learn to pray to that 'imaginary sky fairy.' Your life and your outlook on life could only improve if you did.

You realize that you are speaking to a chimpanzee that lacks the imagination to conceive of a Deity, let alone consider praying to one. They only know 'self' and the argument in this thread, like all such arguments, are internalized justifications for 'self absorption' freeing them of the responsibility of having to give thought that there is something bigger than they are.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I don't think it's a mental illness per se', as much as a sign that those who adhere to a given religion taking the holy book literally are simply too lazy to read and study it. I've always maintained the most effective way to discredit the Bible is to teach it. More people know what's in it, and how the NT half contradicts much of the OT half, less likely they are to take the whole thing literally. But most people's faith seems more about appearences. It's a social activity going to church and associating with a given religion. When if it's actually true, it's more literally between the follower and their deity. Yet most peoples' identify in their faith isn't concerned with the deity so much as the people at their place of worship.

If people literally believed the Bible they'd be unable to function in our decidely secular society. They'd be recluses hiding out indoors lest they venture outside and sin simply noticing the myriad of sinful images all over the place. So I think the ones who'd say they believe the Bible is literally true, yet hold down professional careers and participate in society are simply saying what's PC to say. Afterall, if they admitted they don't believe all the BIble is literally true it'd open the door to just what parts do you literally believe, and what parts do you not.

Is that because you are too lazy to study it yourself? Because every single fundamentalists Jew I have ever met forgot more about the Torah than you will ever know.

Regurgitating Scripture is impressive at children's parties, but my studies are concerned more with understanding the origns of religions as a whole. If we don't understand who wrote them, when, and under what circumstances, the content means nothing.

Is that how you view חסידים? Because, the last time I spoke with one, he was able to talk, in depth, about the various rabbinical traditions and interpretations surrounding the passage I asked about. The name itself derives from the word for kindness, and emphasizes the need to express love toward G-d and other people. It isn't even about legalism, despite the massive ignorance of some Christians, or, apparently, you.

 

[clevergirl]

Yes let's focus on nuts who also claim to be religious- OK so far, but what about all the other millions of nuts who don't claim to be religious?

I've known plenty of professing Christians who definitely struggle with depression- yet what gets them through that depression is often their faith. Their depression or malaise is no different than the unbeliever excepting their faith which gives them comfort and strength-

This whole line of study is obviously full of its own bias. Hmmmm could it be that the author isn't religious?

 

[pacer]

I've known plenty of professing Christians who definitely struggle with depression- yet what gets them through that depression is often their faith. Their depression or malaise is no different than the unbeliever excepting their faith which gives them comfort and strength

You're right, clevergirl, but we're not talking about the average religious joe struggling with a bout of depression but about religious extremism.

There may be a few general characteristics of people who turn into extremists:

1. They have a sense of absolutism: They have a distorted, nonconstructive and irrational thought that the truth, moral or aesthetic values are absolute, universal, set and unchangeable. They do not believe in change and diversity and are usually very low in their tolerance level.

2. They have a sense of righteousness: They usually think that they know the truth and no one else does. Their truth is very limited and based on outdated, contaminated and one-sided information. They usually don't even have enough knowledge about their own religion and only know the surface part.

3. They do confirmation bias: This is where one only brings in information that fits his thought process and dismisses anything else. Any other information, no matter how historically, scientifically and logically valid, will be disregarded.

4. They have a sense of knowing an ultimate meaning: They have a sense of a black and white thinking where the white is a limited definition of how life "should" be for all of us. There is no flexibility, no adaptability and no objectivity. You are either into this small and specific white zone or you are "the other."

5. They dehumanize whoever does not fit their view: They put other people's views inferior to theirs and dehumanize people whose views do not fit theirs. This gives them a sense that they have the right to kill, harm and destroy others. They also do the same to out-groups.

6. They idealize historic figures or stories: Such people usually idealize some figures in their belief system and stories attached to the past and want to fit the present and the future into that idealization.

7. They have an utter certainty that they are right: The objective mind of a rational person knows that at any time, there are so many things he does not know. But an extremist does not have such view and holds a distorted thought that he knows all the answers and has found the "truth" which is the only truth.

8. They have a sense of unwillingness to compromise: For such individuals, there is only one way and that is what matches their definition of truth. They are not willing to find common grounds with other people and cannot find win-win positions.

9. They have too much focus on the life after death: A religious extremist has too little focus on the importance of this life and what makes him feel fulfilled in it and is too attached to the concept of a "great" afterlife.

10. They have many psychological defenses: Such individuals have formed a number of psychological defenses so none of their internal feelings would be challenged.

Roya R. Rad, MA, PsyD: What Turns Ordinary People Into Religious Extremists?

 

[Vox]

I've known plenty of professing Christians who definitely struggle with depression- yet what gets them through that depression is often their faith. Their depression or malaise is no different than the unbeliever excepting their faith which gives them comfort and strength

You're right, clevergirl, but we're not talking about the average religious joe struggling with a bout of depression but about religious extremism.

There may be a few general characteristics of people who turn into extremists:

1. They have a sense of absolutism: They have a distorted, nonconstructive and irrational thought that the truth, moral or aesthetic values are absolute, universal, set and unchangeable. They do not believe in change and diversity and are usually very low in their tolerance level.

2. They have a sense of righteousness: They usually think that they know the truth and no one else does. Their truth is very limited and based on outdated, contaminated and one-sided information. They usually don't even have enough knowledge about their own religion and only know the surface part.

3. They do confirmation bias: This is where one only brings in information that fits his thought process and dismisses anything else. Any other information, no matter how historically, scientifically and logically valid, will be disregarded.

4. They have a sense of knowing an ultimate meaning: They have a sense of a black and white thinking where the white is a limited definition of how life "should" be for all of us. There is no flexibility, no adaptability and no objectivity. You are either into this small and specific white zone or you are "the other."

5. They dehumanize whoever does not fit their view: They put other people's views inferior to theirs and dehumanize people whose views do not fit theirs. This gives them a sense that they have the right to kill, harm and destroy others. They also do the same to out-groups.

6. They idealize historic figures or stories: Such people usually idealize some figures in their belief system and stories attached to the past and want to fit the present and the future into that idealization.

7. They have an utter certainty that they are right: The objective mind of a rational person knows that at any time, there are so many things he does not know. But an extremist does not have such view and holds a distorted thought that he knows all the answers and has found the "truth" which is the only truth.

8. They have a sense of unwillingness to compromise: For such individuals, there is only one way and that is what matches their definition of truth. They are not willing to find common grounds with other people and cannot find win-win positions.

9. They have too much focus on the life after death: A religious extremist has too little focus on the importance of this life and what makes him feel fulfilled in it and is too attached to the concept of a "great" afterlife.

10. They have many psychological defenses: Such individuals have formed a number of psychological defenses so none of their internal feelings would be challenged.

Roya R. Rad, MA, PsyD: What Turns Ordinary People Into Religious Extremists?

you have just described a typical leftard atheist.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I've known plenty of professing Christians who definitely struggle with depression- yet what gets them through that depression is often their faith. Their depression or malaise is no different than the unbeliever excepting their faith which gives them comfort and strength

You're right, clevergirl, but we're not talking about the average religious joe struggling with a bout of depression but about religious extremism.

There may be a few general characteristics of people who turn into extremists:

1. They have a sense of absolutism: They have a distorted, nonconstructive and irrational thought that the truth, moral or aesthetic values are absolute, universal, set and unchangeable. They do not believe in change and diversity and are usually very low in their tolerance level.

2. They have a sense of righteousness: They usually think that they know the truth and no one else does. Their truth is very limited and based on outdated, contaminated and one-sided information. They usually don't even have enough knowledge about their own religion and only know the surface part.

3. They do confirmation bias: This is where one only brings in information that fits his thought process and dismisses anything else. Any other information, no matter how historically, scientifically and logically valid, will be disregarded.

4. They have a sense of knowing an ultimate meaning: They have a sense of a black and white thinking where the white is a limited definition of how life "should" be for all of us. There is no flexibility, no adaptability and no objectivity. You are either into this small and specific white zone or you are "the other."

5. They dehumanize whoever does not fit their view: They put other people's views inferior to theirs and dehumanize people whose views do not fit theirs. This gives them a sense that they have the right to kill, harm and destroy others. They also do the same to out-groups.

6. They idealize historic figures or stories: Such people usually idealize some figures in their belief system and stories attached to the past and want to fit the present and the future into that idealization.

7. They have an utter certainty that they are right: The objective mind of a rational person knows that at any time, there are so many things he does not know. But an extremist does not have such view and holds a distorted thought that he knows all the answers and has found the "truth" which is the only truth.

8. They have a sense of unwillingness to compromise: For such individuals, there is only one way and that is what matches their definition of truth. They are not willing to find common grounds with other people and cannot find win-win positions.

9. They have too much focus on the life after death: A religious extremist has too little focus on the importance of this life and what makes him feel fulfilled in it and is too attached to the concept of a "great" afterlife.

10. They have many psychological defenses: Such individuals have formed a number of psychological defenses so none of their internal feelings would be challenged.

Roya R. Rad, MA, PsyD: What Turns Ordinary People Into Religious Extremists?

If you had replaced the word 'they' in this post with the word 'I' you would have written your autobiography, are you projecting again?

 

[daws101]

Is that because you are too lazy to study it yourself? Because every single fundamentalists Jew I have ever met forgot more about the Torah than you will ever know.

Regurgitating Scripture is impressive at children's parties, but my studies are concerned more with understanding the origns of religions as a whole. If we don't understand who wrote them, when, and under what circumstances, the content means nothing.

There is an offence of original sin that separates God from man and without becoming born again, you can never have that relationship with God to fully understand Him.

The Bible was written for His children and unless people become His children by faith, His words won't fully make sense hecause they were written for His children.

good example of a symptom of mental illness there chuckles!

 

[daws101]

Clinging to imaginary sky fairies could be termed a mental illness but its fascinating that, throughout history, most cultures, most societies have shared the same delusion.

Rather than calling it a mental illness, maybe its more accurate to call it a flaw, a weakness, a way of dealing with fear.

In the US, as long as they stay in their place - "churches" - its relatively harmless. I would really like to see fundies like Westboro and other pedo/women/gay hate groups disguised as churches, refused tax free status though. Otherwise, I don't care if they speak in tongues, wear magic undies and play with serpents.

Psychosis is culturally based. I've seen plenty of psychotic atheists and muslims. Their psychosis just includes things not a part of Christianity.

perhaps you should learn to pray to that 'imaginary sky fairy.' Your life and your outlook on life could only improve if you did.

You realize that you are speaking to a chimpanzee that lacks the imagination to conceive of a Deity, let alone consider praying to one. They only know 'self' and the argument in this thread, like all such arguments, are internalized justifications for 'self absorption' freeing them of the responsibility of having to give thought that there is something bigger than they are.

false! made up gods controlling everything is proof of an immature imagination...
the justification and rationalization are far more Evident in believers than non believers.
the greater than your self argument is meaningless...

 

[daws101]

I've known plenty of professing Christians who definitely struggle with depression- yet what gets them through that depression is often their faith. Their depression or malaise is no different than the unbeliever excepting their faith which gives them comfort and strength

You're right, clevergirl, but we're not talking about the average religious joe struggling with a bout of depression but about religious extremism.

There may be a few general characteristics of people who turn into extremists:

1. They have a sense of absolutism: They have a distorted, nonconstructive and irrational thought that the truth, moral or aesthetic values are absolute, universal, set and unchangeable. They do not believe in change and diversity and are usually very low in their tolerance level.

2. They have a sense of righteousness: They usually think that they know the truth and no one else does. Their truth is very limited and based on outdated, contaminated and one-sided information. They usually don't even have enough knowledge about their own religion and only know the surface part.

3. They do confirmation bias: This is where one only brings in information that fits his thought process and dismisses anything else. Any other information, no matter how historically, scientifically and logically valid, will be disregarded.

4. They have a sense of knowing an ultimate meaning: They have a sense of a black and white thinking where the white is a limited definition of how life "should" be for all of us. There is no flexibility, no adaptability and no objectivity. You are either into this small and specific white zone or you are "the other."

5. They dehumanize whoever does not fit their view: They put other people's views inferior to theirs and dehumanize people whose views do not fit theirs. This gives them a sense that they have the right to kill, harm and destroy others. They also do the same to out-groups.

6. They idealize historic figures or stories: Such people usually idealize some figures in their belief system and stories attached to the past and want to fit the present and the future into that idealization.

7. They have an utter certainty that they are right: The objective mind of a rational person knows that at any time, there are so many things he does not know. But an extremist does not have such view and holds a distorted thought that he knows all the answers and has found the "truth" which is the only truth.

8. They have a sense of unwillingness to compromise: For such individuals, there is only one way and that is what matches their definition of truth. They are not willing to find common grounds with other people and cannot find win-win positions.

9. They have too much focus on the life after death: A religious extremist has too little focus on the importance of this life and what makes him feel fulfilled in it and is too attached to the concept of a "great" afterlife.

10. They have many psychological defenses: Such individuals have formed a number of psychological defenses so none of their internal feelings would be challenged.

Roya R. Rad, MA, PsyD: What Turns Ordinary People Into Religious Extremists?

you have just described a typical leftard atheist.

speaking of bias ...the first 3 traits describe vox perfectly !

 

[bodecea]

Is Religious Fundamentalism a “Mental Illness” to Be Cured?

Religious fundamentalism is a mental illness that will someday be curable by science, a leading University of Oxford neurologist recently argued. Future advances in neuroscience, as well as research tools currently under development, may go a long way to combating beliefs which lead to harmful practices such as child abuse. For those who become ordained ministers in the Universal Life Church it is a question that deserves serious contemplation: how does religious extremism hurt us, and how can science help?

Dr. Kathleen Taylor made the suggestion at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales (once described by former U.S. president Bill Clinton as the “Woodstock of the Mind” for its celebration of intellectual diversity). “One of the surprises may be to see people with certain beliefs as people who can be treated,” she said, and somebody “who has for example become radicalized [into] a cult ideology—we might stop seeing that as a personal choice…as a result of pure free will and may start treating it as some kind of mental disturbance”. Taylor pointed out that treating fundamentalism as a mental illness does not apply only to radical Islam, but also to more obscure extremist cults as well as the belief that it is OK to beat children as a disciplinary measure. This new approach could be highly beneficial, she argued, “because there are no doubt beliefs in our society that do a heck of a lot of damage, that really do a lot of harm”.

Taylor’s ideas are not without precedence—other researchers have also suggested a link between religious extremism and mental illness. Religious conversions may be significantly correlated with a developing psychotic mental illness, according to Dr. Dinesh Bhugra, former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In a paper entitled Self-concept: Psychosis and attraction of new religious movements, Bhugra draws attention to research from several different studies showing that religious converts are more likely to exhibit first onset psychosis. (Importantly, Bhugra’s study does not necessarily peg religious belief in general as being correlated with mental illness.)

But what kind of reception should these ideas get from us as Universal Life Church ministers, and are they compatible with our beliefs? At first glance, treating religious fundamentalism as a mental illness may seem unusual, but in some ways it corresponds with our values. The ULC Monastery teaches its ministers to value science is a tool for understanding nature, and it also admonishes its ministers against the harm of extreme, unwavering religious dogma, so it seems appropriate for us to approach religious fundamentalism through the critical lens of scientific inquiry.

Obviously many religious people are good people, but many religious extremists are dangerous. Treating religious fundamentalism as a mental illness can be viewed as an attack on religion, or it can be viewed as an attempt to shine a light on more predatory or malevolent belief systems, offering tools for diagnosis and treatment. As interfaith ministers a part of whose mission is to cultivate religious solidarity, perhaps we can find a way to treat the symptoms of unwavering dogmatism while nurturing the core values of spiritual curiosity.

Is Religious Fundamentalism a ?Mental Illness? to Be Cured? - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Watch the video below

Kathleen Taylor, Neuroscientist, Says Religious Fundamentalism Could Be Treated As A Mental Illness

It's a good possibility that many of them are mentally ill.

 

[pacer]

"...the notion of a fundamentalist being a moral leader is a joke. Fundamentalism is a morally repugnant dogma that oppresses women, children, and people of other faith. It fails to care properly for the poor and the needy because of the assumption that these people deserve what they get because of sin. If it tries to help at all, it is to offer them ‘salvation’, in the belief that if they repented of their sin, God would sort the rest out. It acts as a pillar to support the worst excesses of selfish capitalism. It crushes human flourishing with absurd strictures on sexual behaviour and other pleasurable pursuits, and it uses tithe money to further propagate fundamentalism instead of meaningful charitable work." (Jonny Scaramanga, Rhythm Guitarist) You were never a true Christian | Leaving Fundamentalism



Nice song. Jonny Scaramanga, guitars:

 

[The Irish Ram]

Pope Francis Takes Aim At Ideologically Obsessed Christians, Says They Have Illness (VIDEO)

“In ideologies there is not Jesus: in his tenderness, his love, his meekness. And ideologies are rigid, always. Of every sign: rigid. And when a Christian becomes a disciple of the ideology, he has lost the faith: he is no longer a disciple of Jesus, he is a disciple of this attitude of thought… For this reason Jesus said to them: ‘You have taken away the key of knowledge.’ The knowledge of Jesus is transformed into an ideological and also moralistic knowledge, because these close the door with many requirements. The faith becomes ideology and ideology frightens, ideology chases away the people, distances, distances the people and distances of the Church of the people. But it is a serious illness, this Christian ideology.”

Pope Francis Says Right-Wing Christians Have An Illness

The Pope has an illness. It is called False Prophetitis. And it is anti Christ, anti God and anti God's people, pro Satan, pro one world gov. and pro anti-christ uni-church. He and Peter are at the opposite ends of God's design for His children.

Let me know when our universities cure God............

 

[pacer]

The Pope has an illness. It is called False Prophetitis. And it is anti Christ, anti God and anti God's people, pro Satan, pro one world gov. and pro anti-christ uni-church. He and Peter are at the opposite ends of God's design for His children.

Psychological projection...

 

[The Irish Ram]

The Pope has an illness. It is called False Prophetitis. And it is anti Christ, anti God and anti God's people, pro Satan, pro one world gov. and pro anti-christ uni-church. He and Peter are at the opposite ends of God's design for His children.

Psychological projection...

Ability to hear.

When the Pope tells his flock that Jesus isn't necessary to go to the Father, and that the Father isn't necessary either, I know he is a false prophet. How? Not projection, but by weighing what he said against what Christ said. The Pope's words are the opposite of Christ's.
No God equals No heaven and yet the Pope just told atheists they don't need God to go to Heaven. The guy's nuts.

 

[pacer]

The Pope has an illness. It is called False Prophetitis. And it is anti Christ, anti God and anti God's people, pro Satan, pro one world gov. and pro anti-christ uni-church. He and Peter are at the opposite ends of God's design for His children.

Psychological projection...

Ability to hear.

When the Pope tells his flock that Jesus isn't necessary to go to the Father, and that the Father isn't necessary either, I know he is a false prophet. How? Not projection, but by weighing what he said against what Christ said. The Pope's words are the opposite of Christ's.
No God equals No heaven and yet the Pope just told atheists they don't need God to go to Heaven. The guy's nuts.

I do not believe any of us is in a position to criticize the Pope.

 

[Moonglow]

Is Religious Fundamentalism a "Mental Illness"?

It does seem to be obsessed by a few people...

 

[pacer]

When the Pope tells his flock that Jesus isn't necessary to go to the Father, and that the Father isn't necessary either, I know he is a false prophet.

Irish Ram, here is what the Pope said. He talked about god's mercy and forgiveness for those who ask for mercy out of a sincere act of contrition and the need to obey ones own good conscience. He said nothing about non-believers going to heaven.

"First of all, you ask if the God of the Christians forgives those who do not believe and do not seek faith. Given that - and this is fundamental - God's mercy has no limits if he who asks for mercy does so in contrition and with a sincere heart, the issue for those who do not believe in God is in obeying their own conscience. In fact, listening and obeying it, means deciding about what is perceived to be good or to be evil. The goodness or the wickedness of our behavior depends on this decision."

RORATE CÆLI: Full text of Pope's letter to atheist Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari

 

[hazlnut]

Is Religious Fundamentalism a “Mental Illness” to Be Cured?

Religious fundamentalism is a mental illness that will someday be curable by science, a leading University of Oxford neurologist recently argued. Future advances in neuroscience, as well as research tools currently under development, may go a long way to combating beliefs which lead to harmful practices such as child abuse. For those who become ordained ministers in the Universal Life Church it is a question that deserves serious contemplation: how does religious extremism hurt us, and how can science help?

Dr. Kathleen Taylor made the suggestion at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales (once described by former U.S. president Bill Clinton as the “Woodstock of the Mind” for its celebration of intellectual diversity). “One of the surprises may be to see people with certain beliefs as people who can be treated,” she said, and somebody “who has for example become radicalized [into] a cult ideology—we might stop seeing that as a personal choice…as a result of pure free will and may start treating it as some kind of mental disturbance”. Taylor pointed out that treating fundamentalism as a mental illness does not apply only to radical Islam, but also to more obscure extremist cults as well as the belief that it is OK to beat children as a disciplinary measure. This new approach could be highly beneficial, she argued, “because there are no doubt beliefs in our society that do a heck of a lot of damage, that really do a lot of harm”.

Taylor’s ideas are not without precedence—other researchers have also suggested a link between religious extremism and mental illness. Religious conversions may be significantly correlated with a developing psychotic mental illness, according to Dr. Dinesh Bhugra, former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In a paper entitled Self-concept: Psychosis and attraction of new religious movements, Bhugra draws attention to research from several different studies showing that religious converts are more likely to exhibit first onset psychosis. (Importantly, Bhugra’s study does not necessarily peg religious belief in general as being correlated with mental illness.)

But what kind of reception should these ideas get from us as Universal Life Church ministers, and are they compatible with our beliefs? At first glance, treating religious fundamentalism as a mental illness may seem unusual, but in some ways it corresponds with our values. The ULC Monastery teaches its ministers to value science is a tool for understanding nature, and it also admonishes its ministers against the harm of extreme, unwavering religious dogma, so it seems appropriate for us to approach religious fundamentalism through the critical lens of scientific inquiry.

Obviously many religious people are good people, but many religious extremists are dangerous. Treating religious fundamentalism as a mental illness can be viewed as an attack on religion, or it can be viewed as an attempt to shine a light on more predatory or malevolent belief systems, offering tools for diagnosis and treatment. As interfaith ministers a part of whose mission is to cultivate religious solidarity, perhaps we can find a way to treat the symptoms of unwavering dogmatism while nurturing the core values of spiritual curiosity.

Is Religious Fundamentalism a ?Mental Illness? to Be Cured? - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Watch the video below

Kathleen Taylor, Neuroscientist, Says Religious Fundamentalism Could Be Treated As A Mental Illness

Yes -- but mostly of the neurotic variety.

Creationist hurt the country and their kids, but not violently. So not much we can do about them dumbing a section of the country down.

There are a few of the psychotic variety -- extremists Christians and Muslims.

 

[The Irish Ram]

When the Pope tells his flock that Jesus isn't necessary to go to the Father, and that the Father isn't necessary either, I know he is a false prophet.

Irish Ram, here is what the Pope said. He talked about god's mercy and forgiveness for those who ask for mercy out of a sincere act of contrition and the need to obey ones own good conscience. He said nothing about non-believers going to heaven.

"First of all, you ask if the God of the Christians forgives those who do not believe and do not seek faith. Given that - and this is fundamental - God's mercy has no limits if he who asks for mercy does so in contrition and with a sincere heart, the issue for those who do not believe in God is in obeying their own conscience. In fact, listening and obeying it, means deciding about what is perceived to be good or to be evil. The goodness or the wickedness of our behavior depends on this decision."

RORATE CÆLI: Full text of Pope's letter to atheist Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari

What he said was God will have mercy on someone who does not believe in God. That the key lies in obeying one’s own conscience.

Self reliance will NOT get you into Heaven. What Francis said was to be true to self. That is the complete and utter opposite of what Christ said.
This Pope is deceiving his own flock.

Christ is the key. Not self. According to Christ Himself, no Christ, no going to the Father. Period.

The truth is the Bible disagrees with the Pope. Find any scripture for me that correlates with the Pope's comments that relying on one's own conscience is the key to God.
No one goes to the Father except through Christ. Conscience has nothing to do with it, lest any man boast.

 

[pacer]

The Pope is talking about forgiveness of sin and that god's mercy is limitless for those who turn to him with a sincere and contrite heart. He does not say ALL sins will be forgiven whether one turns to him or not and come on into heaven. But in the absence of a belief in God, one must use one's own conscience and know the difference between right and wrong.

-------------------

Pope Francis: "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! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter that so much. 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."

The first link I sent him was this blog post by Fr. Dwight Longenecker. Here is what he wrote:

The Pope is simply affirming certain truths that any somewhat knowledgable Catholic will uphold.

First, that Christ died to redeem the whole world. We can distinguish his redemptive work from the acceptance of salvation. He redeemed the whole world. However, many will reject that saving work. In affirming the universality of Christ’s redemptive work we are not universalists. To say that he redeemed the whole world is not to conclude that all will be saved.

Secondly, the Pope is also affirming that all humans are created in God’s image and are therefore created good. Yes, created good, but that goodness is wounded by original sin.

Thirdly, he is affirming that all men and women are obliged to pursue what is beautiful, good and true. Natural virtue is possible–even obligatory, but natural virtue on its own is not sufficient for salvation. Grace is necessary to advance beyond natural virtue to bring the soul to salvation. The Pope does not say atheists being good on their own will be saved. He says they, like all men, are redeemed by Christ’s death and their good works are the starting place where we can meet with them–the implication being “meet with them in an encounter that leads eventually to faith in Christ.