Nor do I play one on television or in blogs.

Well, actually, by today’s definition I am not an atheist. However, back when Catholicism ruled the known Western world I would have been considered an atheist. Not because I don’t believe in God, but because I don’t believe in the literal dogma of Catholicism. Back in the day, to not believe in the dogma (i.e., ideology) of the Church was to not believe in God. It was really that black and white in those days.

Anyway, the spark for this post came about as a result of this picture:

Now, why in the world would this cause me to start writing about atheism? To be honest, I don’t really know. However, I would say that the prior two Popes had not an inkling as to the concept of Love as an absence of judgement. Their pursuit of ideology appeared to be the pursuit of judgement. Though they did not descend to the age old stance of atheism as I discussed above, they sure were dropping the ladder into that hole.

I’ve also once heard that Hell is the absence of love. In various stories Satan’s original purpose was to challenge a person’s soul’s right of entry into Heaven. In other words, he judged people unworthy. If he was successful, the soul accused would be sent to Hell and away from God’s Love.

So, then, those people today who judge others as not righteous, not “Godly” enough, are really putting themselves in Satan’s position. They are, in effect, arguing to move people away from God’s love.

So, when next you feel the need to condemn someone to “rot in Hell” because they don’t believe or act in a manner you prescribe as fitting within the strictures of your religious views, understand that you are not being “of God” but are instead placing yourself in the Seat of Satan.

They really only want freedom for their religions, not all religions.

Oh, Hat Tip to Alternate Brain!