Rubin Report Interviews Bishop Robert Baron

Question 1

What lesson in school caused “bells to go off” for Bishop Barron?

Answer 1

the lesson on Aquinas’ argument from causality

Question 2

What is Aquinas’ argument form causality?

Answer 2

things exist, but they do not have to exist ; things exist because other things exist

Question 3

T/F : Most atheist don’t understand what is meant by “God”.

Answer 3

true

Question 4

In what way has the Catholic church embraced the physical sciences?

Answer 4

Gregor Mendel; we have always wondered and wanted to find the truth

Question 5

Why does Bishop Barron feel that the atheist is actually narrower in thought than the Christian?

Answer 5

they do not seek to answer questions; they just say “that’s how it is”

Question 6

What does Bishop Barron mean when he says our society is “buffered” from the transcendental?

Answer 6

the more you experience the more you know ;we should open ourselves to the transcendent
“ I live as if all there is is what I can see”

Question 7

What line of Leonard Cohen does Barron recommend against being buffered form the transcendental?

Answer 7

“cracks in your skull open the light”

Question 8

Why do our best times and best moments leave us desiring more?

Answer 8

you can feel wonderment in those moments, but you ask if that is all there is

Question 9

How does Bishop Barron explain his answer when asked if a person can seek and find truth without any real belief or allegiance in God?

Answer 9

• the philosophical is open to anyone
• faith is trusting God
• you can use rational means but it ultimately comes down to trust and faith

Question 10

What is the Catholic Church’s stance on faith and reason?

Answer 10

we like faith and reason

Question 11

What were the two extremes to which Barron did not subscribe when you have two parties with very different theological beliefs?

Answer 11

violent imposition or indifferent toleration

Question 12

Who are the “nones”?

Answer 12

the secularists ( no religion )

Question 13

Why does Barron say the Catholic Church is now one of the safest places for a child?

Answer 13

because every employee in a church must have a background check and much more ( there is safe guards )

Question 14

What will always happen to societies with no agreed upon moral values?

Answer 14

the society will become deeply unstable and corrupted

Question 15

What did Bishop Barron see as the most important Judeo-Christian moral principle?

Answer 15

the dignity of the individual

Question 16

Should every moral belief be legislated?

Answer 16

no; legislating could cause more problems than not legislating

Question 17

Why is the issue of abortion so fundamental that legislation is necessary?

Answer 17

it deals with life

Question 18

How is science on the side of the church in determining the question on when human life begins?

Answer 18

human DNA is present in the moment of conception

Question 19

What lessons are we being taught when Jesus spoke about the Real Presence, and everyone walked away except his disciples?

Answer 19

not a numbers game ; bringing more people to the church by changing its teachings is not good

Question 20

Why is the Catholic Church not going to “dial down” fundamental teachings that have been passed down through the church?

Answer 20

because we are not going to dial them down if someone finds them hard ; the church called people to be a radical society

Question 21

Why does Bishop Barron say that going into WWII was acceptable, but the later conduct was not?

Answer 21

it was necessary to go to war, but dropping bombs was not just

Question 22

The church wants _____ not the mediocre.

Answer 22

saints

Question 23

The church is extreme in demand and extreme in ______.

Answer 23

mercy

Question 24

What should we first say about anyone regardless of their belief or lifestyle?

Answer 24

“you are a beloved child of God”

Question 25

Fully expressed sexuality is seen by the Church as being both intimate and procreative. Is this expression always realized in marriage between man and woman?

Answer 25

no; it’s trying to keep the bar high ( not every sexual act is for procreation )

Question 26

What institution does Barron say is a building block for society?

Answer 26

marriage

Question 27

The Church does not say to any sinner, “ you’re great ; now off you go.” On the other hand, the Church must first of all reach out ___________________.

Answer 27

in love with the offer of divine life

Question 28

What are some of the problems that medical science has found with porn?

Answer 28

the brain is affected the same way it is by addictive substances

Question 29

The church must be seen as not opposing but _______.

Answer 29

proposing

Question 30

What two famous speeches did Barron cite in the discussion of religion being allowed a voice in the public square?

Answer 30

1. Lincoln’s second inaugural speech

2. King’s speech in ‘63

Question 31

Why did Bishop Barron say that the Christian faith can handle mockery so well?

Answer 31

because Jesus was mocked ( you can mock us but we take it for our Messiah )

Question 32

What was Bishop Barron’s comments about governmental systems that offer a type of Utopia?

Answer 32

problems will only come of it

Question 33

While Bishop Barron is a fan of The Simpsons, what stereotype has emerged in other shows and what effect has it had?

Answer 33

• the stereotype that men are dumb and women pull all the strings
• it has had the effect that men are suppressed