Do you agree with the Pope that the equal toleration of all religions is a form of atheism?

Question

(Pope Leo XIII).

Does belief in your religion necessarily negate belief in all others? I ask in response to the many who claim all religions are right. That all religions believe in the same god that created all of mankind - thereby ignoring all the contradictions inherent within each biblical narrative.

Answer 1

You are misquoting Leo a bit.

"To hold, therefore, that there is no difference in matters of religion between forms that are unlike each other, and even contrary to each other, most clearly leads in the end to the rejection of all religion in both theory and practice. And this is the same thing as atheism, however it may differ from it in name."
[Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885, http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_01111885_immortale-dei_en.html ]

This is a statement against the concept of Indifferentism that is the heretical (to Christians) belief that all religions are equally legitimate attempts to explain the truth about God but that this truth will never be explained.

This is not a statement against religious freedom.

The Catholic Church seeks and supports the freedom of religion for all human beings.

In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

For the entire document, see: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Does my belief negate belief in all others? It negates MY belief in others, but that doesn't mean that OTHERS have to share my beliefs.

If you're viewing biblical narratives as literal accounts, then yes, there are going to be contradictions. But then again, four eyewitnesses to the same event will have contradictions in their accounts, so what's your point?

If, on the other hand, the various myths of the world's religions are viewed as cultural stories and attempts by the various societies to make sense of the world around them, out of a desire to interact with a Higher Power that is beyond comprehension, then the contradictions are irrelevant - it's based on how each culture interprets the Divine. Looking at clouds, one person sees a dragon, one sees a bird, one sees a tulip, one sees an accumulation of water droplets condensing around small particles... =)

Now, if there is one religion that claims that it is "The Only Truth and The Only Way", then there's a problem with that way of thinking. But it's THEIR problem, not mine.

Answer 3

This is a loaded gun of a question indeed. I must say, religion is a lot like politics. It's all about power. All sects try to gain more members to support the physical structure dedicated to the religion. I was raised a Catholic, but I find that their constant hand held out for my money a tad insulting.

There is no human being alive, Pope included, that can deem any single religion true or false. Religions are like languages, cultures, and so so so too many people have died over its significance than necessary...it is a personal concept, and any so called religious belief should never be FORCED upon an individual.

Answer 4

Who cares if someone THINKS it’s some sorta Atheism? It’s not.
Atheism is the non-belief in Invisible Sky Chappies.
Even you Theists are Atheists about most of the gods who were ever worshiped. When y’all can figure out why you don’t worship Thor and Zeus, et al, you could apply the same reasoning to the current object of your beliefs and join we Atheists – we’re not choosy about which gods to believe in cos we don’t believe in any of them.

In one form or another all religions are scams but only one that I know of has ever said anything like ‘they're all equal’ in their doctrine/dogma.
In Bhagavad-Gita Krishna says: It matters not which path man takes for all roads lead to me.

However, as I said, they’re all scams run by conmen to get money from the gullible.
Most sell some sorta god who is invisible cos they don’t want someone you can go up and prod whenever the fancy takes you.
But, even I have to admit, you can make some really serious money from religion … IF you can keep a straight face, cos, let's face it, we aren't gonna be running outa gullible people anytime soon, are we? LOL

Answer 5

i take advantage of two get indignant at racism and the shortcoming of tolerance for ideals and faith yet now I comprehend those human beings FEED off of hatred and love 2 get an strengthen out of human beings. some human beings are particularly ignorant and a few are unintelligent and a few in simple terms have not got a clue what they're speaking approximately. I attempt very stressful not 2 choose anymore or react to point and offensive speech. some i think of (speech) is in simple terms too intense and have faith Y/A has a accountability too demonstrate screen some feedback extra heavily something and each little thing should not be allowed there's a shrink and restrict on unfastened speech. you won't be able to pass in a crowded movie and yell hearth can u. quite everyone seems to be entitled too their opinion yet please appreciate others as properly.

Answer 6

Although that is EXTREMELY intolerant you might want to clarify that it is a FORMER Pope (1810-1903) and not the current one. If you don't make it more obvious it looks as though you are trying to twist facts.

I know that no matter what year he taught that, it contradicts the idea that the bible (and the pope in the Catholic religion) is infallible but you are needlessly giving them an argument to use against your logic.

Answer 7

If that's what the Pope said then I give him a thumbs up. I've been wondering about how someone can claim to be Christ's representative here on earth and not speak out against religions that don't trust in Jesus for their salvation.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Answer 8

No i do not agree with the pope. I also don't agree with a lot of the crap the catholic religion believes. Some of the stuff doesn't even come from the bible. Like the sprinkling of water for a baptism. Thats no where in the bible. The bible discusses baptism by emmersion. etc. etc.

Answer 9

Well, my atheism includes equal toleration for all religions (and a roughly equal amount of eye-rolling as well.)

Answer 10

No, If you tolerate something you are not necessarily agreeing with it. You are simply acknowleging ones human right. The right to be wrong!