What is the Catholic view on atheists and those who strongly oppose the concept of God?

Answer 1

Opinion:

The official Catholic position regarding non-believers is to be found in the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) declaration on the Church. This is a dogmatic declaration which means all Catholics are required to believe what it states: "Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life." (Declaration on the Church paragraph 16)

Taking the above statement, which has further been expressed in the Catechism and various Church statements, it is clear that Catholicism accepts that non-believers can be good people; this would apply to atheists. However, Catholicism also believes in religious freedom: "This Vatican Council declares that 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....." (Vatican II's Declaration on Religious Freedom paragraph 2)

This means that atheists, whilst rejecting the concept of God, must respect the rights of people who do believe. It would be unacceptable to the Church for atheists to berate those who believe in God, as this would be a violation of their right to faith.

Equally important, and as part of the various Church positions outlined above, is that the religious freedom of atheists demands that they be respected in their lack of faith in gods. Atheists are an integral part of the human family that enjoys the freedom to choose what they believe or don't believe. It would be unacceptable to atheists for Catholics to berate those who don't believe in gods as it would be a violation of their right to not believe.

Opinion:

To give one Catholic's personal take on the above answer: Atheists, like all human persons, are made in God's image and likeness and are deserving of the love and respect that is due to all human persons. Catholics would distinguish between live-and-let-live atheists and those who "strongly oppose the concept of God." Live-and-let-live atheists who enjoy their day-to-day lives, pursue their careers, friends, and interests, all the while treating others with the courtesy and respect with which they wish to be treated, are an admirable element in what we hope will become an increasingly civil society. Here in the U.S., with all our diversity and richness of heritage, background, lifestyles, and religious affiliations, many Catholics would agree that responsible, tax-paying atheist citizens who want to enjoy what this country has to offer and just get along with everyone else - are worth their weight in gold. On the other hand, the phrase "persons who strongly oppose the concept of God" suggests to me persons who may find it difficult to extend the respect and tolerance to believers that the many groups living in our society, with such different ideas and different values, must extend to one another in order to have a civil society for all to enjoy. I don't know: Can a "person who strongly opposes the concept of God" live and let live and behave with consideration and respect toward his believeing neighbor? Can he contribute to a civil and diverse American society? My answer as a Catholic is: I very much hope so.