In this second part of the baptism series, Greg Sshifts to adults and older children, explaining when infant rules end (around age seven per canon law) and how personal intention takes over. He outlines the OCIA process for unbaptized catechumens, adaptations for ages 7-18, and recognition of most Protestant baptisms if Trinitarian. Canon law is walked through step-by-step, with practical US insights and unusual cases like emergency baptisms or impediments for those in unrepented sin handled orthodoxly and charitably. He strengthens the discussion by emphasizing baptism's regenerative nature as being "born again," contrasting it with evangelical symbolic views, and highlighting Protestant diversity on the sacrament.

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In this first part of a two-episode series on Catholic baptism, Greg explores the doctrinal heart of the sacrament, explaining why infants are baptized and how it aligns with Scripture and ancient Church tradition. He clarifies that baptism brings regeneration—being "born again"—with references to the Catechism and Bible, while contrasting it with common Protestant views. The episode then dives into canon law's guidelines for infant baptism, including requirements for parents, godparents, and the "founded hope" of a Catholic upbringing. Practical parish insights and exceptional cases, like baptisms for children of same-sex couples, are handled with orthodox clarity and pastoral charity. He also bolsters the discussion with analogies for baptism's ontological change and the varied Protestant positions on the sacrament.

Check out previous episodes on this topic: #139, "Why Does the Church Baptize Infants?" and #209, "Are Catholics Born Again?"

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Greg and Cory dive into the often-confusing generational conflicts simmering in many Catholic parishes, where aging baby boomers shaped by 1960s and 70s pop culture clash with younger millennials and Gen Z seekers craving transcendence and tradition. They explore how boomers emphasized horizontal community and cultural relevance, leading to beige churches and casual liturgies, while today's converts yearn for vertical worship, smells and bells, and a countercultural faith rooted in the Church's 2,000-year history. Drawing from their own journeys as converts, Greg and Cory debunk myths tying these tensions solely to Vatican II, instead pointing to broader cultural shifts and the need for principled arguments over aesthetic preferences. They warn against repeating boomer mistakes by making the Church a slave to generational trends, urging listeners to focus on continuity, charity, and faithfulness to Christ.

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Greg and Cory revisit the challenges parents of small children face in bringing their children to Mass. In Episode #360, Greg had responded to a listener named Claire who shared that teaching her kids to sit still and pay attention in Mass was a struggle, and asked why Catholic Churches didn't have the same kind of dynamic "kid's church" programs that contemporary evangelical churches do. Cory, as a parent of four small children, had some additional thoughts.

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In this lively conclusion to a three-part series looking at myths about Catholicism, Greg and Ed the Protestant unpack how "Hollywood"—from Reformation-era propaganda to modern films, novels, and TV—ingrains unconscious biases against Catholicism through tropes like fat, greedy bishops, ugly scheming monks, mean ruler-wielding nuns, and spooky cathedrals that twist sacred awe into dread. They challenge the pervasive vibe that nobody truly believed the faith, portraying it as an elaborate con everyone winked at, questioning how such a "scam" could endure for centuries with genuine devotion from saints, martyrs, and everyday believers. Drawing on the "Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect" and personal anecdotes—like Protestant pastors' misconceptions and the absurd "candle-lighting priest" cliché—they highlight how these visceral impressions hinder apologetics, much like racial stereotypes, and urge listeners to investigate the Church firsthand beyond media distortions and "common knowledge" to discover authentic faith.

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In this engaging opener to a two-part series, Greg and Ed the Protestant dive into how "Hollywood"—a catch-all for mass media from Reformation propaganda to modern movies, music, and novels—subtly shapes our perceptions of reality, including Christianity and Catholicism. At the secret compound, they explore how repeated tropes in popular culture groove neural pathways, bypassing rational thought to instill unconscious biases, as illustrated by examples from Plato's warnings on music to rock anthems by Bob Seger and Pink Floyd promoting rebellion and negativity. They discuss the "Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect," where media gets facts wrong on familiar topics yet we trust it on everything else, and highlight how our limited personal networks (about 200 people) force reliance on biased storytelling for broader knowledge. They discuss modern portrayals of freedom as chaos, fathers as doofuses, and societal norms, questioning why we accept these as "common knowledge." Teasing the next episode, they set up how these distortions hinder apologetics and evangelization, urging listeners to question media narratives against the Church's timeless orthodoxy. Join them for a thought-provoking chat that blends humor, intellect, and fidelity to the Catechism, perfect for curious seekers and rediscovering Catholics.

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Greg lays the intellectual foundation for how the "noble savage" trope, rooted in Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau, converges with the Reformation’s Black Legend to demonize Catholicism in popular culture. Tracing the noble savage from ancient Greece to Romanticism, he shows how it idealizes the "exotic other" as pure while portraying the Church as corrupt, amplified by Protestant propaganda that cast Catholic Spain as uniquely cruel. This narrative oversimplifies history, ignores secular brutalities, and promotes relativism, clashing with Catholic teachings on original sin and redemption. Greg previews upcoming conversations with Ed the Protestant, where they’ll explore how Hollywood builds on these ideas to shape perceptions of the Church.

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Greg shares a listener's email from Dylan, whose honest conversation with his former Calvinist pastor turned into a one-sided barrage of critiques without real engagement. Drawing from his own Protestant past, Greg explores why so many Catholic-Protestant debates devolve into unconstructive patterns, using the hilarious Monty Python "Argument Clinic" sketch (https://youtu.be/ohDB5gbtaEQ?si=vjz-JsE0vZ18zDqH) as a spot-on illustration and real-life examples like misconceptions about justification, the Mass, and Mary. He breaks down the difference between valid and persuasive arguments, offering practical, charitable advice on how to respond, when to step back, and how to pray for unity while staying rooted in Catholic orthodoxy. Perfect for anyone investigating the faith or dealing with tough family talks, this episode encourages focusing on what draws you closer to Christ amid the noise.

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Greg Smith responds to a listener's email expressing shock at perceived anti-Semitism in Catholic online spaces. He clarifies the Catholic Church's official teachings on Judaism and the State of Israel, emphasizing respect, shared roots, and a balanced call for peace amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Greg distinguishes between binding doctrines on faith and morals versus prudential political judgments, critiques inconsistencies in how some Catholics approach these issues, and draws lessons from St. Augustine's City of God for navigating earthly complexities. He also contrasts Catholic nuance with Protestant evangelical affinities for Israel, reassuring converts that the Church rejects all prejudice.

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Greg responds to a listener's heartfelt email about her journey toward Catholicism and a major hesitation: how the Church approaches children's ministry compared to engaging evangelical programs. Drawing from his consulting experience with megachurches, Greg critiques the entertainment-focused model, shares data on high youth dropout rates, and explains Catholic teachings on family worship as the "domestic church." He offers practical advice for parents facing pew battles, emphasizing that forming faith through Mass rhythms builds lasting commitment. Whether you're a Protestant investigating or a Catholic parent, this conversation provides encouragement and orthodox insight.

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