No. But even if it did that would not mean there is a god. Money in my bank account is beneficial but that doesn't mean there is any. For an atheist the issue of the benefits or lack thereof of religion are a secondary question. The first question is whether there are any gods.

Well that is one approach I suppose.

Thanks, Deacon...

"You won't bring up tone, or insult when, on this site, a catholic
directs such at an atheist? That doesn't bother you? If not why not?" Simple, I don't read the Catholic posters (Well perhaps Brandon and Mike), Neither I follow ALL atheist writers. David Nickol is one I follow, this is why I saw Sage's post. Been a name I have not seen before, I pointed out that tone has a lot to do when one wants meaningful conversation, in this site. Again, I'm not here to talk to Catholics, I can do that in my parish.

"Viva Cristo Rey!!"
Deacon Harbey Santiago

Wait,

You won't bring up tone, or insult when, on this site, a catholic directs such at an atheist? That doesn't bother you? If not why not? If you are going to be nonplussed when a Catholic describes an atheist as monstrous evil (among other insults) then I don't think you have the moral ground to go all tone police when the other sides expresses themselves passionately.

Something about motes and beams comes to mind. :)

The whole point is that people can be in the Church through a pursuit of the Divine Logos. People, for all sorts of reasons, may not belong to the Church. The Church doesn't ever talk definitively about who is damned, because its impossible to know the state of the soul. They have never proclaimed that "these people are in Hell". Even what you've quoted is a warning, he doesn't say all schismatics are in Hell.

If someone left the Church because of scandal, say sexual abuse to them or a loved one, that's a hugely mitigating factor I would say. Likewise if they were taught falsehoods about the Church, or in some other way didn't have absolute clarity of the Church's stance/position/role.

You can still be saved, and it's still through the Church, since the Church isn't just the building or the priests but "the Mystical Body of Christ".

Do it's okay to proclaim the teaching of the Council of Florence and say hell awaits Jews, heretics, schismatics "unless before death they are joined with Her". While I can see how a special dispensation would exist before Christ and before the gospel has been preached to a person. but now that it has been done to most in the West here, why risk their eternal life by watering down the teaching?

Actually, I will not. I come here to engage atheists not Catholics. One would hope atheists come here to talk to someone like me (Catholic Clergy). If I see something that I feel will preclude me from engaging in meaningful conversation with someone, I point this out. Fraternal correction goes a long way, when given and taken in the right spirit.

I would hope atheists here would do me the same courtesy, for, how can I talk to them if I do not know how?

"Viva Cristo Rey!!"
Deacon Harbey Santiago