A few days ago, during a missionary trip to Singapore, Pope Francis met with young people of different religions and made a statement that has sparked significant controversy both within the Catholic Church and among leaders of Protestant Christian churches.
Some dare to claim that Pope Francis wants to destroy the Catholic Church and that he must publicly apologize for what he said. What was so serious that the Vicar of Christ said? The most controversial part states, “All religions are a path to reach God.”
Opponents of the Bishop of Rome argue that the Pope contradicts the words of Christ himself, found in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6: “‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” According to the stance of these extreme religious leaders, taking this biblical phrase literally, the only way to reach God is through Christianity.
The most extreme Catholic Christians claim that salvation exists only for those who practice Catholicism.
If we accept this stance as valid, then we could conclude that over 5 billion souls will end up in hell because they are not Christian—whether they practice another religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc.) or are atheists.
Then I don’t know how to reconcile this with the biblical passage found in the First Epistle of John, chapter 4, verses 7 and 8, which says: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” How is it that this God, who is love, would take pleasure in sending millions of souls to hell simply because they have not recognized Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?
There are people who enjoy contradicting others because it gives them a sense of grandeur, a feeling of superiority. But when such actions are taken by religious leaders—who should be examples of love, understanding, unity, and solidarity—then we see that things are not entirely right.
These new Pharisees, who know all the biblical quotes that suit them to attack others, present themselves as guardians of morality and zealous watchdogs of the faith’s dogmas.
But they only use Scripture to attack and manipulate, because if they applied it to their own lives, they would take Jesus’ words in the same Gospel of John to be coherent Christians, worthy of being emulated.
For example, in verse 14, He tells His disciples: “For I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” And in verse 35, He says, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
How much we need more religious leaders who are examples of service and charity! How different this world would be if, instead of seeking prominence, fame, and wealth, Christian leaders sought to help those in need, bring God closer to those who have drifted away, and find ways to stop violence in society.
May God protect us.
Blessings.
manuel.rosario.gomez@gmail.com
By: Manuel Rosario – Industrial Engineer and Speaker
Image: Efe
