I have often posed a question to Christian thinkers that follows the Pope's line of argumentation. It goes like this: Imagine on the day of judgment you are made to stand in one line or another: line #1 is for people who faithfully attended religious services and prayed every day but they lived a sinful life (love of God: yes; love of neighbor: no). Line #2 is for people who did not go to Church or pray but lived exemplary lives (love of God: no; love of neighbor: yes). Which line would you want to stand in? Would either or both merit a place in paradise? Given that we are obliged to fulfill both commitments of love if we wish to obtain paradise, I have always believed that the best option is line #2. It seems that B16 might agree with me! Pope: “Agnostics are closer to the Kingdom of God than believers whose life of faith is 'routine'”