If you’re a Christian who exploits people, leads a double life or manages a “dirty” business, perhaps it’s better not to call yourself a believer, Pope Francis suggested in a homily on Thursday in Rome.
“So many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others,” Francis said during morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, according to Vatican Radio. “How many times have we heard — all of us, around the neighborhood and elsewhere — ‘But to be a Catholic like that, it’s better to be an atheist.’ It is that: scandal.”
“But what is scandal? Scandal is saying one thing and doing another.”
In the Catholic Church, causing scandal also a grave offense.
“Would you expect the same penance to be required for both?”(Steve)
Steve, whereas you are talking about “penance” I know you must be Roman Catholic and so I must inform you that is baloney talk; because the Bible teaches Repentance, and Forgiveness. And I well tell you no sin is greater than another. If you kill one person, and I kill a thousand my sin is not greater than yours; because both of us would have broken the law (in other words in transgression of the law).
In society, where it pertains to murder, if you kill one person you are considered a murder. One who kills a hundred people is still considered a murderer, except that person is term a serial killer. When caught you can only charge them with murder, on different counts!
Finally there is no of scripture in the Bible where the word penance is found, that is Roman doctrine, not of God; that is your pope doctrine! The Bible teaches if you confess you sins to God, he is faithful and just to forgive you. It…
You Christians should never question your leaders…hear, and listen to him!
The bible has the answers to all of these comments! Christianity is not religion! Christianity focuses on Jesus Christ and his entirety. It is total surrender to the spirit of God through Christ Jesus. It is following his statutes after we surrender, taking care of the people we know with forgiveness, love and compassion. It is living by faith with and putting our body under subjection. it is yearning for righteousness which is contrary to sin. Of course we sin as Christians but a true christian will not deliberately sin lest he grieves the holy spirit. It is this sin in Psalms 91. That stone that we do not see and dash our foot against..when we feel the spirit shy inside we must then run to renew it. When we surrender “i in you and you in me” the holy spirit intertwines with ours…. but there is the cross/blood/spirit..which we can run to to renew our spirit and come back to that place in Job 28.
religion? hmmmmmm that can be deceiving.
continuation:
we get so engrossed in what denomination we belong to that we focus on the worldly variables within the church to the point where we fight one another. Aren’t we heading to the same place? Is there a different way to get there? It is only through Jesus and none else! The way, truth and life! if you know me you know my father. We go to church with our bibles in the hand and dash them on the couch till next Sunday! Oh what have we done hypocrites! vipers!
We pass the homeless, gossip right in church, and ignore the basic principles of Jesus Christ! I tell you that Jesus is recruiting men for his kingdom who will rock the face of religion! People who came from the pit!!! which the spirit will reveal many things to! Satan has put his hand in the church through religion where we no longer preach the gospel but instead we preach happy!!! To make people feel good! wake up Laodicean church for his coming is nearer than we think!
think before you respond.
Comprehension seems to be a big problem in Dominica this day.
…
Being informed one Must note the huge difference between the fact that all of us are Sinners- vrs those among us who are hardened & Un-REPENTANT sinners. Hence sripture boldly declares for those of us deceived by the devil -Not to play games with our Salvation that we can fool Man, But we Cannot fool the Lord! Man sees the outside but God sees the HEART! SEE ALSO GALATIANS 6:7 & 1 SAMUEL 16:7.
The Pope obviously Knows what He is talking about…God Bless the Pope!!!
However, it baffles me that those who claim to ‘know better’ & or are Bible toting pastors themselves can sometimes utter such nonsense such as infering that there is no degree or real gravity in wrong doing or Sinfulness when the word of God itself makes this Abundantly CLEAR- As does the International penal/ crimimal code as well as Natural Law. Indeed, The Holy Bible clarifies in 1 John 5: 16,17 that there is sin which leads to death (spiritual death more importantly) which the Church has always labelled as grave sin as opposed to lesser or venial sins.
Being informed one Must note the huge difference between the fact that all of us are Sinners- vrs those among us who are hardened & Un-REPENTANT sinners. Hence sripture boldly declares for those of us deceived by the devil -Not to play games with our Salvation that we can fool Man, But we Cannot fool the Lord Man sees the outside but God sees the HEART!…
I was certainly shocked and surprised, but not in the least bit disappointed to see comments actually criticizing THE POPE!! At least for a little minute I can see there is still hope. People are waking up and realizing the great injustice the Catholic church / religion has done to our ancestors. It is without doubt the greatest evil visited on man, in the history of mankind.
I don\’t quite understand where he is coming from and going with this. A very controversial Pope. His emphasis I conclude is, all of us are one, just like the Father and Son.
This is just another veiled attack on Trump by the vatican’s lead agent of the globalist elite. Sad!
The point that the Pope is making is that if you call yourself a Christian then you should act like one. He is not saying that you should be perfect but that one should be able to recognize you as a Christian in your words and deeds. Too many of us are hypocrites.
this pope is an evil man
Never believe there is no GOD my friends not matter how sinful you are, believe in God don’t doubt him he exists. Don’t be an atheist….
Now tell me…what’s the different between an atheist and a catholic since they are both traveling on the same broad way….JEHOVAH have mercy….
I guess that he is talking about himself. He knows that all of this religion business was created…….and not by God.
Of course Christianity did not create morals.
God Himself created the moral code and the Holy Spirit inspired Holy men of God to write it.
Human beings accidently stumbled into certain practical truths and adopted them because they realized
that was the best way to live. Even the pagan and atheists have their taboos. But the most complete expression of morality – the highest code of ethics if you will – is found in the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
The pope is assuming that the ungodly people he is referring to are Christians and he is telling them to live the life
They may be church members but if they are living this way – exploiting people, leading a double life, or managing a dirty business – it is unlikely that they have been born again OR they have drifted far away from God. Either they need to be converted or they need to be restored to the Lord.
We know people who once lived this way. It was who they were. It was their life. But when they heard the gospel and trusted Christ as their Savior they were changed. The Bible says *Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.* (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So churches that are having the problem the pope alluded to need to start preaching the gospel. Get people saved. Then provide Bible teaching that produces spiritual growth. God will do the rest.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
There’s no such thing as a bad Christian. To be Christian is to be Christ-like and there is absolutely nothing bad about Christ. Wake up to the truth people! Is either you are a Christian or you are not. The main problem today is people say” we are all Christians” and “we are all God’s children” – this is a so not true!
Millions of Catholics believe everything the pope says because they have been taught that he is the Vicar of Christ. Further more they are suppose to believe he is infallible when he speaks *from the chair* meaning in his supposed official capacity as the head of the church and the universal teacher.
Because of this the pope is not required to prove any statement he makes. He never offers a single verse of scripture to verify anything he says nor is he expected to. As an Evangelical Christian (a born again believer in Christ) I would be asking *Where do you find that in the Bible?* I would want to know the book, chapter, and verse.
It is written *To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.* (Isaiah 8:20)
Continuation:
We should be listening to what God says in His word (the Bible), not to what a religious leader says. Did you know there have been times when a pope has contradicted a previous pope?
One pope said Joan of Arc was a witch and had her burned at the stake? A later pope made her a saint!
Once the church ended up with two popes. They conveniently excommunicated each other.
I find myself agreeing with much the pope said in his homily. Of course I agree that those who call themselves Christians should live accordingly. But when it comes to anything as vital as our eternal salvation we ought to listen to the scriptures – the word of God – not a religious leader.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy his son in the faith *And that from a child thou hath known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.* (11 Timothy3:15)
Continuation:
The Apostle John wrote to the believers of his day *These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of he Son of God.* (1John 5:13)
Above all else the scriptures have been given to us so we may know that Christ on the cross bore the punishment for our sins so we can be SAVED if we will BELIEVE this and trust what He did for us on the cross alone to put our sins away.
Please read Isaiah 53:5,6, Romans 5:6-8, and Ephesians 2:8,9
THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD 
How could you trust your soul for eternity to anything less
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Continuation:
When people asked the Lord Jesus if divorce was permissible He replied *…have ye not read…* and quoted from the Book of Genesis. This is found in Matthew 19:4-6. He could have told them what this or that rabbi of the day said. But NO! He referred them to the scriptures.
At the end of His earthly ministry Jesus said in His High Priestly prayer to the Father *For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; ….* (John 17:8) He could have said *I have faithfully taught the traditions of the elders.* NO! He spoke to His disciples the very words spoken by the Father.
The Bible tells us:
*Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee; and thou be found a liar.* (Proverbs 30:6)
*…If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.* (Revelation 22:18)
Continuation:
*And if any man shall take away from the words of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.* (Revelation 22:19)
Some religious organizations (we identify them as cults) add to the Bible, and others subtract from it. Some of the former add their traditions, or they have created a book or books of their own which they use along side the Bible. The later tell us certain passages in the Bible are not dependable, or are outdated, or obsolete, and deny fundamental truths of the faith.
But we are warned not to alter the word of God. These scriptures warn us of terrible punishments which will befall those who violate the Holy Scriptures.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Pope Francis Sir: What you have failed to do for your Church is to teach them to walk in the Spirit, when they will become attracted and conformed to do the things of Love, which is the Primary Character of God Almighty in Christ Jesus The traits of Love are listed at Galatians 5; 22
But you have your Church following all of those doctrines, which are the commandments of men, by your authority -they are of God’s Commandment–there is a long list of them.
So you have to say that it is better to be an Atheist than being a Christian, because those so-called Christians belong in your Church–their relationship is with you, not with Christ Jesus, for this what He said: @Matthew 15: 6-9
‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”.
Correction:
But you have your Church following all of those doctrines, which are the commandments of men, by your authority -they are not of God’s Commandment–there is a long list of them.
All of that is nothing more than sweet sounding music. Another hypocritical bit of nonsense! The Bible teaches no matter who we are in the human flesh we are of a sinful nature, for we all a born in sin!
What he is imply by his focus is that some sin are greater than others: That is baloney, because sin is the transgression of the law, be it Man’s law or God laws; and that is all it means.
If it is wrong to kill someone, it is also wrong to steal a penny! Stealing a penny is the transgression of both, God, and mans’ law; and there is no greater or less between the two transgressions!
There is no such thing as a bad, or good Christian; because even after we believe and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we still most of the time commits sin unknowingly every minute of the day. That man is a hypocrite, he is no different to any other man.
It is hypocritical for him to talk about exploitation, and all the evils he mentioned, since the very same thing is found…
Finally:
It is hypocritical for him to talk about exploitation, and all the evils he mentioned, since the very same things are found rampantly in his religion. Brain washing is exploitation, and his religion has been doing that since slavery!
They use Gods’ words in the Bible to exploit the mind of our forefathers, convincing them that it was God wish that they should be slaves, some of what he spoke about can be found in Dominica. His priests and even the boy bishop are condoning Skerrit involvement in the same dirty affairs he has spoken about.
I hope his boy bishop, and his dirty priests in Dominica got his message!
Well said Mr. Telemaque, total hypocrisy.
That bitter lemon u swallow is really beating u up. Smh. Poor u. I hope u realise that your behaviour is definitely unchristianlike. U’re no better than the pope.
Through the centuries the Roman Catholic Church has kept its people in the dark when it comes to the Bible. This made it easy for the R.C.C. to uses verses of scripture out of context to
convince the people that the Bible approved slavery. They had no Biblical understanding and could be easily ruled by the priests, who were ruled by the bishops, who obeyed the pope.
Catholics are taught only the church is allowed to interpret the Bible. Catholics may now read the Bible but they are not to interpret it. They must simply believe it means what the church tells them it means. In a situation like this it is easy to control people from the top down who
do not know better.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Francisco you are really out of context now. Please go read your bible with faith and not vexation.
God bless
“If it is wrong to kill someone, it is also wrong to steal a penny!”
Would you expect the same penance to be required for both?
“The Bible teaches no matter who we are in the human flesh we are of a sinful nature, for we all a born in sin!” Then whats the point of even trying to be good if you’ll forever be bonded with evil by just birth right, the statement is irrelevant since you clearly misunderstood what the pope was trying to say. He was saying that the hypocrisy of some Christians are so bad that it is even better to be an atheist (People that Christians so heavily criticize for being morally bankrupt) when they themselves are far worst than what they criticize and then have the audacity to voice their Christians faith.
Atheist do not contradict their disbelief other wise they wouldn’t be atheist.
I second your comments ….I must say we don’t see eye to eye when it comes to politics. ….But I totally agree with you on this one .
You are a scandal because you uphold wrongdoing. It is as simple as that, what the Holy Father said and meant. This needs no further explanation especially to you, you hypocritical Christian, as you quote from the Holy Bible. God knows you.
Do you understand that the word ‘sin’ in the Bible actually refers to the moon in translation. It doesn’t mean what all the preachers tell you it does. The moon is worshiped on Saturday by certain religions, along with the planet Saturn.
Mr. Hill, when I was a little boy in Wesley, there are priests who ordered people of their religion to burn their Bible, yes burn the bible, so that they could not read what thus saith the Lord; but rather just take the crap, the priests spew that has nothing to do with God.
You see Dominica is one of the poorest, if not the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, and the reason for that is all due to Roman Catholic doctrines; I have heard priest condone poverty. All of those people who are running their mouth, about me and my thinking and comments, ask them when last they open a Bible and read it, I bet not one may have a Bible, you see when people do onto know better they believe crap. The Roman Catholic Church is practically responsible for four hundred years of slavery!
The reason I can say what I wish about that man who calls himself pope is because I know that I know he is nothing more than a hypocrite. Where in the Bible is the word pope found? No place, the word pope…
The reason I can say what I wish about that man who calls himself pope is because I know that I know he is nothing more than a hypocrite. Where in the Bible is the word pope found? No place, the word pope simple means papa, father. Well he is not my papa, or my father: God is my father; I hear him, and no earthly man!
That’s my boy!! Suck it to them!!
He is sucking it to you, as he presides over a corupt Vatican.
I second your opinion.
He fears no one. I love his sermons. They are down to earth.
I have my experience with hypocritical Christians. The attitude of some needs to be perfected. I even plan to write a book. Some are only Catholic Christians in name.
Atheist and proud!!!
Oh, no my friend
The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah asked the question
*What will you do in the swelling of Jordon :?:*
If you are even conscious when the time comes let me paraphrase the question. What will you say when you are hours or minutes away from eternity
I can answer for myself. I will not have to cross Jordon alone. Jesus died all my sins to atone
If you will believe that He paid the debt for you by the shedding of His precious blood – if you will bow before Him and receive Him as your Savior (see John 1:12) and Revelation 3:20) He will be there for you 
How can you know? You have a written guarantee!
*For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.* (Romans 10:13)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Nothing to be proud of. He did not make that comment to compliment atheists. He knows the meaning of atheist and that they do not recognize God. Therefore, it is no feather in your cap.
When you stand before God you will not be proud.. Time for a drastic spiritual change. This is why the Catholic Church of all pray for people as you that God might grant you the grace of repentance that you may not perish eternally.
Take Holy Scripture seriously. Do you know what Heaven is comprised of?
Do you know what Hell is comprised of? I do not wish you Hell where souls suffer forever and ever in Satan’s cauldron of everlasting fire. You, do not wish this on yourself. It will be no happy day forever and ever. The thought of it makes me cringe. Pay heed!
According to this Pope the Roman Catholic population should be zero, for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s expectations. The Bible goes on to say, that if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Is the Pope forgetting that the call is for dinners to repent?
You mean “sinners?”
What you stated is nonsense. You did not comprehend what the Holy Father meant.
I have considered, if we did not need a Church, Our Lord Jesus Christ would not have established it when He said: “Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build MY CHURCH.”
As a wise Catholic stated, the Church is “a hospital for sinners.”
No further explanation is necessary for you.
OMG!! Such is this pagan’s opinion. Doesn’t he know that all Christians are inherently bad, hence the need for salvation. And there’s no such thing as an atheist. By disbelieving God you are acknowledging him.
not only Christians, you mean all humans are inherently bad
I presume that does that include you Aquarius?
This is absolutely true.
All human beings were born with a fallen depraved nature inherited from Adam. Because of this we are already bent in the direction of sin. This is the reason we sin.
We are not sinners BECAUSE we sin. We sin because we ARE sinners.
The Bible says
*Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.* (Romans 5:12)
It further says
*As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one: …* (Romans 5:10)
*For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;* (Romans 3:23)
This why Christ told Nicodemus *Marvel not that I said unto three, ye must be born again.* (John 3:7) People who do not understand this do not think they need to be saved. Because they have not committed some of the more serious sins like murder they do not feel the weight of their guilt.
We must come to the place where we realize we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. Then we must…
You should not consider everyone the same or compare one to another. People are not all the same. There are some good people and some who are worst than others. Some are striving for perfection, others are not.
What comes out of the mouth tells a lot about people; similarly, their comments over the Internet.
Some Christians do not act like Christians. This is one of the reasons the Pope made the statement. Genuine practicing Christians in general should also know that. Much more could be stated about that.
So, like disbelieving in a Flat Earth theory, one is actually believing that the Earth is indeed Flat…hmmm..heavily indoctrinated..
Don’t see your point, unless of course you believe the earth to be a pancake.
In our day we are seeing an unprecedented increase of angry aggressive atheism.
Atheists are actually organizing against a God they do not believe in. Why are they spending their time, giving their money, and expending their energy to combat a God who does not exist
Anger is often caused by fear. Atheists are afraid there is a God because if there is they are in trouble. If there is not I have no problem because my faith has kept me out of trouble. I have had a great life. Nobody is going to punish me for my mistake. Who is going to punish me for being a Christian? A non-existing God?
I invite you to visit my ministry website http://www.livinghopeministries.
Click onto SERMONS.
Listen to my sermon MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS.
I share proofs that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. I give you the names of several lawyers who said this evidence for the resurrection would stand up in a modern court of law.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Continuation …
We must come to the place where we realize we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. Then we believe that God the Father laid ALL our sins upon His Son! Jesus Christ became our substitute and bore our punishment by suffering, bleeding, and dying on the cross. When Jesus was about to expire on the cross He cried with a loud voice *…IT IS FINISHED…* (John 19:30) Translated from the original New Testament Greek language this literally means THE DEBT IS DISCHARGED. IT IS PAID IN FULL
Please read Romans 5:6-8. Oh, believe it my friend. Believe it was for YOU the Savior died. Believe it NOW and you will HAVE eternal life. For it is written *… … whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but HAVE eternal life.* (John 3:15)
*For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.* (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (A teller of good news.)
Believing the earth is flat will not make the earth flat.
Not believing there is a God will not eliminate God.
Someday you will stand before Him. He will ask you *What did you do with my Son
You can receive Him now as your Savior or you can reject Him.
It is life or death, heaven or hell for all eternity.
I invite you to visit our website
http://www.livinghopeministries.ca
Click onto SERMONS. Listen to my sermons: THE NEW BIRTH and ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill
What a silly comment.
No one is perfect which is why we have a Church that we might give due praise and honor to God in His Consecrated House and always ask Him to help us perfect ourselves. Life is an ongoing perfection.
No such thing as an atheist? Where are you? From Mars? You who obviously were a baptized Christian would make such an ignorant comment? Too bad for you.
You should talk about yourself. God knows you, your heart, what you do and what you are capable of doing. Do not leave yourself out. You lack the grace of humility.
The Pope Knows the Truth..Christianity is NOT the creator of Morals.
Do not ignorantly twist and turn what the Holy Father said. People as you lack godly enlightenment.
The Holy Father knows the Truth which is The Truth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as contained in the New Testament.
God is the Creator of all things. He is the Creator of Morals.
This is why God gave Moses The Ten Commandments.
This is why Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to teach us these things.
Need I state more? Some of you are too ignorant in the Faith. Go to the Holy Bible to read/study it. While you are at it, pray to God to enlighten you and give you the spiritual gift of understanding.
The things the pope says do not sound like he knows the New Testament.
Have you read the New Testament
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
But what is the source of morals? And that source is anything but atheist. Truth be told, the Antichrist like nature of the popehood has beome more blatant under this pope abd one should expect much more of these utterances.