Crash Course Catholicism

Dr Caitlin West

Catholicism can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Crash Course Catholicism breaks down the beliefs, traditions, and teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that's thoughtful, accessible, and engaging. The first 50 episodes of this podcast are a summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, while later episodes include deep dives into big questions about God, Scripture, Church history, the saints, morality, and the spiritual life. Our aim is to help you build a stronger understanding of the faith without requiring a theology degree.

Find out more: https://www.caitlinwest.com

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20 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes20

Newest first

Sunday · 16 min
Catechism 101: The Cosmological Argument for God's Existence
How do we know that God exists? Can reason lead us to God? In this episode, we begin a new series exploring one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: St Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument. Before diving into Aquinas’ First Way, we take a step back and look at the big picture. What exactly is a cosmological argument? How does it work? And why did Aquinas think that observing the ordinary world around us could lead us to the existence of a First Cause or Unmoved Mover? In this episode, we discuss: What a cosmological argument is Why we often reason from visible effects to invisible causes Aquinas’ observations about change, causation, and contingent existence The difference between temporal and hierarchical causes What Aquinas means by a First Cause or Unmoved Mover Why Aquinas is not yet trying to prove every Christian belief about God How this overview prepares us for Aquinas’ First Three Ways This is the first episode in a series unpacking St Thomas Aquinas’ arguments for the existence of God. Whether you’re interested in philosophy, theology, apologetics, or simply wrestling with life’s biggest questions, I hope these episodes help make Aquinas’ thought more accessible and encourage you to explore these remarkable arguments for yourself. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating through the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
July 26 · 38 min
120 - Truth & Freedom Under Threat | Magnifica Humanitas Part 4
In Part 4 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 4, which describes how artificial intelligence is reshaping truth, work, and freedom. Pope Leo warns that AI is not simply changing the tools we use. Instead, it is transforming the way we seek truth, the way we work, and the way we exercise our freedom. In this episode, we discuss: * How AI is amplifying disinformation and blurring the line between truth and opinion * Why Truth is a common good and not a tool for power * The importance of education, critical thinking, and digital sobriety * Why work is so important for humans * How AI should support human work rather than replace the human person * How digital technologies can weaken our freedom * The hidden human cost of AI, including exploitation, modern slavery, and digital colonialism This is Part 4 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic social teaching, philosophy, technology, or the future of humanity, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and discover the Church's hopeful vision for placing technology at the service of the human person. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
July 19 · 57 min
Conversations Ep. 2 – Bit by Bit with Lucinda
Conversion doesn't always happen in a single blinding moment of clarity. Sometimes, like drops of water slowly filling a glass, conversion to the Catholic faith is the result of countless conversations, experiences, and quiet moments accumulated over many years. In today's episode, I speak with Lucinda -- a teacher and Cambridge graduate -- about her journey to the Catholic Church. Through conversations with friends, encounters with Evangelical Christians and faithful Catholics, and even a visit to Auschwitz, Lucinda gradually came to understand and embrace the Catholic faith. Lucinda's conversion story is a powerful reminder that every small act of kindness, every thoughtful conversation, and every example of faithful living can shape another person's search for truth in ways we may never see. Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
July 12 · 36 min
119 - AI, Transhumanism, and the Fight to Stay Human | Magnifica Humanitas Part 3
What are the greatest threats that artificial intelligence poses, and how can we remain fully human in the age of AI? In Part 3 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 3 of the encyclical and examine the opportunities, dangers, and moral questions surrounding artificial intelligence. Pope Leo argues that AI is not simply another technological innovation. It is reshaping the way we think, make decisions, relate to one another, and even understand what it means to be human. Drawing on the Church's rich philosophical and theological tradition, he warns against the rise of a "technocratic paradigm" -- a culture that prizes efficiency, control, and profit above the dignity of the human person.In this episode, we discuss: * What Pope Leo means by the "technocratic paradigm" * Why technological progress must be accompanied by moral progress * How artificial intelligence differs fundamentally from human intelligence * The dangers of overreliance on AI, algorithms, and simulated relationships * Why AI should never replace human moral judgment or accountability * The importance of political oversight, subsidiarity, and the common good in AI governance * Why we need to "disarm AI" * The rise of transhumanism and posthumanism * Why our limitations are not defects to eliminate but part of what it means to be human * How God's grace and not technology is the path to becoming truly "more than human" This is Part 3 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic theology, philosophy, technology, or the future of humanity, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and discover the Church's deeply hopeful vision for the digital age. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
July 6 · 12 min
Catechism 101: How to be Certain God Exists
“God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 36 In this episode of Catechism 101, we discuss how we can know for sure that God exists. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
June 29 · 39 min
118 - Social Doctrine in the Digital Age | Magnifica Humanitas Part 2
What does Catholic Social Doctrine have to say about artificial intelligence? In Part 2 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore chapters 1 and 2 of the encyclical and discover why the Church's social doctrine is more relevant than ever in the digital age. Pope Leo does not create an entirely new moral framework for AI. Instead, he shows how the timeless principles of Catholic Social Teaching (human dignity, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, social justice, and integral human development) help us navigate the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence. In this episode, we discuss: What Catholic Social Teaching actually is Why the Church speaks about AI, politics, economics, and technology How Pope Leo applies Catholic social doctrine to the digital revolution Why human dignity is the foundation of human rights The common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and social justice in the age of AI Why algorithms, data, and digital platforms raise new moral questions How Christians can think faithfully about emerging technologies This is Part 2 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic theology, philosophy, technology, or Catholic Social Teaching, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and think more deeply about what it means to remain fully human in the digital age. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
June 22 · 17 min
Catechism 101: The Universal Desire for God
“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, p 27 In this episode of Catechism 101, we discuss the universal desire for God. This desire is written in our hearts, and is made visible through our search for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
June 15 · 29 min
117 - AI, Humanity, and the Church | Magnifica Humanitas Part 1
In this first episode of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore what the Catholic Church has to say about artificial intelligence, the digital revolution, and what it means to be truly human. Pope Leo argues that AI is not simply another technological innovation. It is reshaping the way we work, communicate, think, and even understand ourselves. Drawing on the biblical stories of the Tower of Babel and Nehemiah, he challenges us to build a future rooted not in pride or efficiency alone, but in human dignity, communion, and the common good. This episode covers: Why Pope Leo compares aspects of the digital age to the Tower of Babel How AI is transforming society and human relationships The difference between unity and uniformity Why technology is neither inherently good nor inherently evil The Catholic understanding of AI and human dignity How Christians can remain deeply human in an increasingly digital world This is Part 1 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in Catholic social teaching, AI ethics, technology, philosophy, or theology, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and join the conversation. Question for listeners: How can we remain “profoundly human” in the age of artificial intelligence? 00:00 – Introduction 01:12 – Why We're Reading Magnifica Humanitas 03:15 – The Lay of the Land: AI and the Digital Revolution 06:48 – Big Tech Today Has More Power Than Governments 09:36 – We Must Act Now, Before a Crisis 10:31 – The Tower of Babel vs. Nehemiah 14:26 – Unity vs. Uniformity 18:07 – The “Babel Syndrome” 20:48 – The “Way of Nehemiah” 23:36 – We Are All Responsible for What Happens Next 25:15 – The Morality of AI Depends on How We Use It 26:33 – Remaining Profoundly Human 27:37 – What’s Coming in Part 2 This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
June 8 · 10 min
Catechism 101: Signs of Faith
Faith is more than intellectual belief. If we think about it, even the devil technically *believes* in God. So what does true faith actually look like? In this episode of Catechism 101, we talk through four key signs of faith from the Catechism: Faith is free, active, overflowing, and dynamic. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
June 2 · 34 min
116 - You Were Made for Love: Theology of the Body pt.2
What does it mean to be a human person? What does love actually look like? What does the body reveal to us about God and the meaning of life? Theology of the Body isn't just about sex. It's about what it means to be human. In this episode, we explore some of the foundational ideas that St. John Paul II returns to again and again in his catechesis. We introduce key themes including the dignity of the body, the meaning of love, JPII's famous claim that the opposite of love isn't hate: it's use. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: St. John Paul II: Theology of the Body Love and Responsibility Redemptor Hominis Theology of the Body in Simple Language ⁠Gaudium et Spes Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae⁠ Theology of the Body Institute Christopher West: "⁠What Is the Theology of the Body? | Introduction to Theology of the Body⁠" Our Bodies Tell God's Story Good News About Sex and Marriage The Ask Christopher West Podcast "This is the Opposite of Love" Fr Mike Schmitz, Theology of the Body Crash Course (pdf) Theology of the Body Crash Course (video) The Thomistic Institute, "Theology of the Body: An Overview" St Paul Centre, "⁠What's the Point of Theology of the Body? Dr. Scott Hahn Explains⁠"
May 25 · 14 min
Catechism 101: How Faith Works
How does faith actually work? There's a gap between logically knowing something is true and actually believing it. In this episode of Catechism 101, we unpack exactly what it takes to cross that gap. This episode covers: The difference between knowing something is true and actually believing it Why faith is a gift from God The four things that have to happen to make an act of faith Why the will matters just as much as the intellect Why God is the most credible source there is. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction 2:11 — Why we can't force faith 3:39 — The ocean metaphor 4:44 — Breaking down an act of faith 7:56 — Why the information source matters 13:25 — What to do if you're struggling to believe CRASH COURSE CATHOLICISM A series on Catholic teaching and why it makes sense. ▶ Previous episode — What Is Faith?: https://youtu.be/dSs_AxrpiKE ▶ Full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw6henAD9rk0-RxLqLoqycLVftmfFo9-r ▶ Read the blog post: https://www.caitlinwest.com/post/how-faith-works SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #HowFaithWorks #CatholicFaith #CatholicTeaching #Catechism #Catholicism
May 18 · 25 min
115 - History and Context: Theology of the Body Pt. 1
What is the Theology of the Body? Why was it developed, and why is it still relevant today? In this episode, we begin our next deep dive (!) by telling the story of the development of ToB. From the fallout of the sexual revolution to Humanae Vitae and Pope St. John Paul II’s revolutionary vision of the human person, we ask why TOB remains one of the Church’s most important teachings today. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: Humanae Vitae Christopher West: "What Is the Theology of the Body? | Introduction to Theology of the Body" Godsplaining, "Does Christian Marriage Really Have Two Ends?"
May 11 · 8 min
Catechism 101: What is Faith?
What is faith, really? In this episode of Catechism 101, we unpack what faith actually means according to Catholic teaching. Spoiler: it's NOT blind faith. This episode covers: Why "blind faith" (fideism) is something the Catholic Church actively rejects The story of Saint Augustine that explains exactly what faith is Why faith and reason aren't opposed to each other How to explore the mysteries of faith without switching your brain off TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Introduction 1:05 — The problem with blind faith 2:00 — Saint Augustine and the tiny angel 3:34 — What the story teaches us 6:38 — The mysteries are yours to explore CRASH COURSE CATHOLICISM A series on Catholic teaching and why it makes sense. ▶ Next episode — How Faith Works: https://youtu.be/bG9Ppx4Z2DM ▶ Full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw6henAD9rk0-RxLqLoqycLVftmfFo9-r ▶ Read the blog post: https://www.caitlinwest.com/post/what-is-faith-actually SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #WhatIsFaith #CatholicFaith #CatholicTeaching #Catechism #Catholicism
May 4 · 29 min
114 - Mother Teresa: Love for the Poorest of the Poor
"At the hour of death we are going to be judged on what we have been to the poor, to the hungry, naked, the homeless." Mother Teresa lived this truth with radical simplicity and unwavering love. From the streets of Calcutta, she dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor, restoring dignity to those the world had forgotten. Today, her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity, whose work reaches the most vulnerable across the globe. In this episode, we explore the life and witness of Mother Teresa, reflecting on the foundations of her sanctity: deep prayer, devotion to the Eucharist, joy and cheerfulness, the embrace of suffering, and a life poured out in self-giving love. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: Come Be My Light: The private writings of the "Saint of Calcutta" Something Beautiful for God (book) Something Beautiful for God (documentary) Mother Teresa's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech Acceptance Speech VIDEO Bishop Barron on Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) Bishop Barron on Mother Teresa and Her Sisters Ascension: How Mother Teresa Set the World on Fire 3 Life-Changing Lessons We Learn from Mother Teresa Mother Teresa’s Special Message for Mothers Everywhere
May 2 · 3 min
Announcing a new chapter...
Video mini-episodes are here! In this introductory video, I explain an exciting new chapter for Crash Course Catholicism. Thank you to all the Patrons and supporters who have made this work possible! This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
April 20 · 39 min
113 - Social, Political, and Economic Rights
In this episode, we explore the human person's right to: Marriage and Family Meeting and association Work A just wage Private property Humane working conditions Migration Political activity and engagement. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pt 2241 Pope John XXIII, ⁠Pacem in Terris Vatican II, Apostolicam Actuositatem John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno Trent Horn, Answering Catholics who claim "deportation is intrinsically evil". If you're wanting to think *specifically* about immigration in the USA, here are some additional resources that might be useful:United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://www.usccb.org/topics/immigrationStrangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope: https://www.usccb.org/resources/strangers-no-longer
April 6 · 33 min
112 - Fundamental Human Rights (Life, Dignity, Equality, Freedom)
In this episode, we explore every human person's right to: Life Bodily integrity Dignity Equality Freedom of speech Truth Transcendence Freedom of Religion Medical care Education This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts 2259-83 Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes USCCB, Life and Dignity of the Human Person Pope Paul VI, Gravissimum Educationis EWTN, How the Catholic view of human rights developed Thomas Aquinas, The Summa Theologiae, II.ii.64 Catholic Answers, What About the Right to Die? Catholic Answers, Is Deportation Immoral? The International Theological Commission, The Dignity and Rights of the Human Person
March 23 · 29 min
111 - What are Human Rights?
What are Human Rights? How are they different from other kinds of rights? Are Human Rights inherent, or are they a social construct? In this episode, we continue our exploration of Catholic Social Doctrine by considering the nature of Human Rights. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠⁠⁠, pts 152-59 Pope Paul VI, Octogesima Adveniens The International Theological Commission, "The Dignity and Rights of the Human Person" Catholic Relief Services, "CST 101 | Rights and Responsibilities" Bishop Robert Barron, "Dignitas Infinita"
March 9 · 28 min
110 - What Makes a Human Being?
We are made in the image of God, and this truth has profound implications for how we understand the human person. In this episode, we explore key dimensions of human personhood, including freedom, responsibility, the capacity for transcendence, uniqueness and unrepeatability, and equality. Understanding the full depth and complexity of human nature is essential for social doctrine, because our understanding of the human person forms the foundation of human rights. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: ⁠⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠⁠, pts 127-151 St. John Paul II, Homily at Oriole Park, Camden Yards, Baltimore, 1995. St. John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act 1, scene 2 https://catholicsocialthought.org.uk/
February 23 · 29 min
109 - Human Nature and Human Dignity
The whole of Catholic social doctrine rests on the answer to the question: What is a human being? In this episode, we discuss human nature and human dignity. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What makes human beings unique in comparison with the rest of nature? Do human beings have a particular dignity, or are we just intelligent animals? Understanding what a human person is helps us to see why human beings must always be at the centre of every society. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: ⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠, pts 105-134 Catechism of the Catholic Church, pt 357 John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis Jose Angel Lombo and Francesco Russo, Philosophical Anthropology: An Introduction USCCB, "Life and Dignity of the Human Person" Pope Pius XI, Mit Brennender Sorge - particularly this passage: "8. Whoever exalts race, or the people, or the State, or a particular form of State, or the depositories of power, or any other fundamental value of the human community - however necessary and honorable be their function in worldly things - whoever raises these notions above their standard value and divinizes them to an idolatrous level, distorts and perverts an order of the world planned and created by God; he is far from the true faith in God and from the concept of life which that faith upholds." Hot Fuzz, dir. Edgar Wright Also, for anyone who teaches English or Philosophy, I recommend the play Juniper Blood, by Mike Bartlett. The plot basically revolves around the question of how to balance our responsibility to the planet with our responsibilities to the people closest to us. The question 'what is the value of a human being?' is really at the heart of the play. Highly recommended as a text for students (mature students -- the play contains a few sexual references and depictions of drug use), super relevant to the questions we're exploring in this episode.