The Patrick Coffin Show | Interviews with influencers | Commentary about culture | Tools for transformation

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Canada has many private colleges and universities. It almost had a Christian law school. The number of these will remain zero for the foreseeable future thanks for a stunning 7-2 decision by Canada's Supreme Court that forbids the establishment of the Trinity Western Law School in Langley, BC. The reason? Because Trinity Western is an evangelical institution that holds to the traditional biblical view of sexuality, and because prospective students must sign a Covenant Agreement in which they agree to avoid drunkenness, gossip, plagiarism, any form of hazing or intimidation, with emphasis (I'm quoting now) the Christian "virtues of honesty, civility, truthfulness, generosity and integrity." Trinity Western make no bones about the fact that its "community life are formed by a firm commitment to the person and work of Jesus Christ as declared in the Bible." So far so good. Except that the Agreement also says the following: observe modesty, purity and appropriate intimacy in all relationships, reserve sexual expressions of intimacy for marriage, and within marriage take every reasonable step to resolve conflict and avoid divorce sexual intimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman No explicit reference to homosexuality, but that is exactly what triggered the legal battle, starting with the Law Societies of B.C., Ontario, and Nova Scotia, that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Bruce Pardy, professor of law at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario (who was introduced to me by Dr. Jordan Peterson) thinks this decision is a cruel joke on all Canadians. In my interview, he explains exactly why. Professor Pardy has a libertarian-style view of the definition of marriage, and the TWU Covenant Agreement is not his cup of tea. But that's not the point. What happened to good old Canadian diversity? Is there really no room for even one Christian Law School that upholds the traditional biblical view of marriage (which is shared, one notes, by the Catholic Church, many conservative Christian bodies, as well as Orthodox Jewish and Muslim organizations (the non-polygamous ones at any rate)? If someone is offended by the rules of a private school, he or she should refuse to go. But that's not enough for the LGBTQS2 (lesbian gay bisexual transgender questioning two spirited) activists who opposed the school's plans from the get go. Backed by powerful legal interests across Canada and a broadly accepted presupposition about the redefinition of marriage and "evolving Canadian Charter values," their fight ended last month with this decision. In this episode you will learn: How the shift from Charter rights (which are concrete, verbally explicit things) to Charter values (which are ephemeral, fleeting things) softened the ground for the high Court's reasoning How the interests of a tiny minority became the tail that currently wags the Canadian dog Why the Court's reasoning unwittingly promotes very unjust discrimination the Justices opine they oppose The eerie similarity between "the vibe of the thing" (a comedy reference that will make sense once you hear the interview) and the "penumbra" of the 1965 Griswold v Connecticut, which paved the way for Roe v Wade via an alleged "right to privacy" in the U.S. Constitution How this disastrous decision is a wake-up call for those who have been lulled into thinking reasonable accommodations will be made going forward for private educational institutions that go against the grain of PC culture. Why it may signal the death knell of the much-vaunted pluralism that has characterized Canadian society since the Quebec Act of 1774 Why it should matter to Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, the Salvation Army, Mormons, or any group that assumes they can freely form communities with their own self-regulating rules Resources recommended in this episode: Professor Pardy's presence, writing, and contact information on the Queen's University website Pardy's essay on the decision in The National Post newspaper. Australian classic comedy The Castle The implications of the decision in The National Post by Ray Pennings of the faith-based think tank Cardus.

Support our show: www.patrickcoffin.media/donate Tweet to Patrick: https://twitter.com/Patrick_Coffin Follow Patrick on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrickcoffin.media/ Check out our swag: https://www.patrickcoffin.media/swag For Catholic Resources: www.patrickcoffin.net/store *********************************** A few minutes into my conversation with Bishop Gracida, bishop emeritus of Corpus Christi, TX, it becomes obvious that he is direct and to the point, evidently allergic to beating around the bush. Yet, he's kindly and thoughtful. At 95, he is hale and hearty, and is one of the very few bishops who regularly blog. His remarks, sometimes trenchant, always readable, are found at www.abyssum.org Abyssus Abyssum Invocat, Latin for "deep calls to deep" (from Psalm 42:7). If you feel somewhat disoriented by some of the utterances and writings of Pope Francis, you're not alone. If the thought of criticizing the Pope makes you uncomfortable (there are plenty of nasty professional Francis Haters online), that's a good sign of filial devotion to the Holy Father and to the Church he visibly leads. Sometimes, though, the faithful have "the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful" (Canon 212.3). In this regards, Bishop Gracida has some questions that fearlessly "go there." What do I mean? The authorized biography of disgraced Godfried Cardinal Daneels of Belgium describes activities between and among cardinal electors, such as Cardinal Carlo Martini, Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and Cardinals Karl Lehmann and Walter Kasper—dubbed the St. Galen Mafia. These activities, verified by Austin Ivereigh in his hagiographic biography of Pope Francis, The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making Of a Radical Pope involve canvassing other electors to elect Jorge Cardinal Bergolio. Well… Bishop Rene Gracida believes, as do others, that this activity is canonically illegal under the promulgated laws in the 1996 Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, by St. John Paul II. If this is true, then the validity of the papal election may be in doubt. You read that right. To state the obvious, I am not a canonist nor was I at the Conclave. What I know is that know that the reaction of most Catholic pundits to the notion that the 2013 election may have been invalid is met with a guffaw or a "that's crazy talk." It's a gorilla in the room whose existence needs to be acknowledged before it can be dismissed as harmless. In this interview you will learn: Have a sense of appreciation for what Ordinaries are called to as shepherds of souls Understand the difference between true episcopal authority as it resides in the individual bishop and the largely administrative authority of a national bishops' conference Get a clear picture of a self-described "one crisis after another" life lived to the full See more reasons to renew your prayers for the life and health of the Church Understand why the sacraments must never be politicized no matter who does it Maybe be shaken up Resources recommended in this episode: An Ordinary's Not So Ordinary Life by Bishop Rene Henry Gracida Follow Bishop Gracida on his blog here: www.abbysum.org

Support the podcast here: www.patrickcoffin.media/donate. Motion pictures have been called the ultimate form of art because they incorporate all previous forms: dance, music, theater, and mime, all in one. They are powerful drivers of, and reflections of, culture. Movie lines become iconic and hence memorable: "We're going to need a bigger boat." Jaws "ET phone home." E.T. the Extraterrestrial "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Gone with the Wind "May the force be with you." Star Wars "You had me at hello." Jerry McGuire As Christians, we need to watch movies critically, not just for morality reasons, but for artistic ones. Should believers support poorly made movies because they bear a Christian message? Can Christians see rated R films with potty words, sexual content, and violence? Where's the line? This week's guest has thought deeply about these questions and has some practical guidelines. He is Douglas Beaumont, a convert to the Faith and author of a book that's due for a reboot, titled The Message Behind the Movie: How To Engage With a Film Without Disengaging With Your Faith. If you like movies, you'll love this conversation in light of the gospel and the principles of effective storytelling. In this interview you will learn: How some G rated films have bad messages and some rated R ones have good ones The difference between a Christian movie and a movie that is Christian Some tips for determining whether a story is told effectively on screen Why some heathen writers write the best "Christian scripts" Why the golden age movies still hold up How to notice when a film is selling an anti-Christian bias Resources recommended in this episode: The Message Behind the Movie: How To Engage With a Film Without Disengaging With Your Faith by Douglas Beaumont Story: Substance, Style, and Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field Question of the week In what way is Hollywood today's most important missionary territory? Tweet to Patrick HERE Follow Patrick on Facebook HERE Check out the store HERE Sign up for our Inside Scoop newsletter with the best of The Patrick Coffin Show each week. Don't forget to Subscribe to the show in YouTube, as well as the full length podcast available in iTunes and other podcast directories, while you are there, please leave an honest review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

This is fascinating. What is the nature of the great experiment called "America"? We say that Poland is a Catholic country, India is a Hindu country, and Turkey is a Muslim country, and so on. We also say America is a Christian country. But in what sense? Because the majority are followers of Jesus? But Jesus isn't mentioned in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, or the Bill of Rights—the Christian religion is nowhere endorsed as the state religion. My guest this week unpacks the foundational source—the real thinkers and philosophical ingredients that went into the essentially American recipe. His name is Timothy Gordon and his provocative new book is titled Catholic Republic: Why America Will Perish Without Rome. https://amzn.to/2lcTB5M He finds six crypto-Catholic elements present in the founding of America, and takes pains to show how the founders did not exactly cite the sources (like St. Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, and St. Augustine) for these elements. Gordon says "America is wired Catholic, labeled Protestant, and currently functions as secular." Lots to chew on after this interview with Tim Gordon, to say the least. In this interview you will learn: How anti-Catholic bias of 18th century America kept our Protestant and Enlightenment forefathers from admitting their dependence upon Catholic ideals How the signs of the decline of America (from abortion on demand to the redefinition of marriage to crushing debt to the paganized pop culture) do not signal the inevitable end of the republic Why America was never intended to be an empire and how international incursions have not been good for the nation's health The way in which America can "become more Catholic" without becoming the dreaded bugaboo "theocracy" How relativism has been deliberately inserted into public life primarily through the Supreme Court Why truth can never be determined by a poll or nose count, and why it matters Resources recommended in this episode: Catholic Republic: Why America Will Perish Without Rome by Timothy Gordon The U.S. Constitution: A Reader by the Hillsdale College staff American Cicero: The Life of Charles Carroll by Bradley Birzer Aristotle For Everybody by Mortimer Adler Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick Deneen Dangerous Books website Question of the week Do you believe America is specifically biased against Catholics? Join the Conversation Tweet to Patrick HERE Follow Patrick on Facebook HERE Don't forget to Subscribe to the show in YouTube, as well as the podcast available in iTunes and other podcast directories, while you are there, please leave an honest review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

Greetings, my fellow culture builders: As you probably know, the thing I've been hinting at and quietly building for many months is finally here. Since we're only opening the doors twice a year, this is the only Inside Scoop that will mention it until the winter. Last Friday evening, the light turned green and people began signing up for "citizenship" (aka membership) in Coffin Nation and haven't stopped since. If you haven't seen the trailer, it's short, sweet, and here: www.coffinnation.com. What do YOU get? * masterclass interviews with top influencers and thinkers like Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, whom I've interviewed four times; time management guru David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity; and public speaker trainer and radio host Ken Davis. These are the first three guests of the monthly TransformU feature for members only. * interactive monthly live webinars called Ask Away Friday * my top book and movie recommendations * commentary on current events through a Catholic lens, called The Coffin Report * connectivity with an ENTHUSIASTIC community that shares your faith and your deep desire to change the things you can in your life, marriage, and family * peace of mind that you're an active part of the solution. It's EASY to sit on the sidelines and complain! * Much more Again, the link is www.coffinnation.com. Thanks for your support, and your patience as we roll out this exciting adventure. I'd be honored to deliver the "wow" factor that characterizes membership in Coffin Nation. If you can, join us. The initial membership price will never increase for you. Join us tomorrow on Facebook for a live Q&A session at 12 noon PST. Just go here. And...be a saint; what else is there? Patrick

The Patrick Coffin Show is 100% listener supported. Help us keep our show independent and unfiltered. Consider supporting our work with a one-time or recurring donation HERE. Tweet to Patrick HERE Follow Patrick on Facebook HERE Check out the store HERE Sign up for our Inside Scoop newsletter with the best of The Patrick Coffin Show each week. Don't forget to Subscribe to the show in YouTube, as well as the podcast available in iTunes and other podcast directories, while you are there, please leave an honest review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! ******************************* The home of the free because of the brave is filled with many terrific people, who live a life (for the most part—the poor, Jesus said, will always be with us) of comfort and convenience. America also comes with particular challenges for Christians who are engaged in evangelization. This week, I talked to one of the best in the biz, Peter Herbeck, vice president of Renewal Ministries and its director of mission. He has been speaking about the lordship of Jesus for over 30 years in scores of countries all over the world and he has special insights into the "isms" here at home that make it a challenge for missionaries. I loved this conversation! In this interview, you will learn: How the failed sexual revolution has produced not only chaos but also countless hungry hearts for the truth about human sexuality How different the average American is compared to the average Chinese in terms of openness to Christ How the prison experience of a Lithuanian bishop provides a powerful lesson for us in the US Why relativism represents an obstacle to evangelizing, but not an insurmountable one The importance of praying with people on the spot when they ask you to pray for them How culture impacts the Christian life and vice versa Tips on how to stay calm when sharing the gospel with those who might be hostile Resources mentioned in this episode: When the Spirit Comes In Power: Rediscovering the Charismatic Dimension of the Christian Life by Peter Herbeck When the Spirit Speaks: Touched By God's Word by Peter and Debbie Herbeck The Three Conversions of the Spiritual Life by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, OP The Fulfillment Of All Desire by Ralph Martin

Did you hear that our premium community os coming up? Learn more HERE, you do wan't to miss out! Michael J. Knowles the a Yale-bred host of two-thirds of The Daily Wire platform begun by Ben Shapiro. He "wrote" a clever "book" titled Reasons To Vote Democrat: A Comprehensive Guide Very few commentators anywhere in the mediasphere are out of the closet Catholics who actually accept all the teachings of the Church, which is why Mr. Knowles caught my attention. (Everyone reading this can list a dozen faux Catholics in media.) His show is much more politically geared than mine, but his infectious enthusiasm for slaying liberal arguments and his no-apologies support for President Trump couched in millennial-speak, and his frequent references to his unabashed Catholicism, make him very watchable as a host. In this interview, you will learn: How Knowles got the Daily Wire gig, and what his mission is How he uses his Stella Adler Studio acting skills to communicate His unsuccessful attempts at baptising Ben Shapiro in the office hallway How his faith informs his political conservatism The paradoxical similarities between President Trump and Pope Francis Why the digital media provides a strong counterweight to the hugely biased MSM My thoughts on marriage as he prepares to take the matrimonial plunge Resources mentioned in this episode: Reasons To Vote Democrat: A Comprehensive Guide by Michael J. Knowles Poetic Diction: A Study In Meaning by Owen Barfield Old Errors New Labels by Bishop Fulton Sheen The Conservative Mind: From Burke To Eliot by Russell Kirk The Patrick Coffin Show is 100% listener supported. Help us keep our show independent and unfiltered. Consider supporting our work with a one-time or recurring donation HERE. Tweet to Patrick HERE Follow Patrick on Facebook HERE Check out the store HERE and for cool SWAG HERE Sign up for our Inside Scoop newsletter with the best of The Patrick Coffin Show each week. Don't forget to Subscribe to the show in YouTube, as well as the podcast available in iTunes and other podcast directories, while you are there, please leave an honest review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

Ireland was once known and loved as the land of saints and scholars. Stout in its Catholicism and justly proud of its traditions of literature, of art and of Guinness—along with a veritable factory of holy missionaries to places like Africa—Ireland has taken a slow tumble into chaos. The Irish have fled the church pews like rats from the Titanic in the last 30 years; Catholic leadership on the old sod has been badly hobbled by scandal and tepid leadership; and, corporately, the Irish media have been crafting an aggressively secularist narrative about the nature of the country and its venerable past. Very few people understand the "before and after" better than John Waters, my guest this week. He's an author, playwright, rock journalist, and social critic who has decades of observational experience of his homeland—the recent history of which is less than encouraging, with its historic redefinition of marriage in 2015, and now, with the May 25, 2018 Referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which guarantees the rights of all Irish citizens, including "the right to life of the unborn." If this Article is repealed, the Ireland of old, marked with the glories I mention above, is over. Done for. I'm airing this interview to make it available to as many Irish listeners before the Referendum. Pray for Ireland. In this interview, you will learn: The recent cultural and historical forces that have gotten Ireland to where she is today The deep meaning in Gaelic of the English word "unborn" How Ireland developed its current existential nihilism Signs of hope that Ireland can come back to her former glory Strategies for engaging a post-Christian culture with a new way of speaking the truth How therapeutic deism has replaced the Catholic Faith Resources mentioned in this episode: Lapsed Agnostic By John Waters Beyond Consolation: How We Became Too Clever for God and Our Own Good by John Waters Persuasive Pro-life: How to Talk About Our Culture's Toughest Issue by Trent Horn John Waters in First Things magazine. The Patrick Coffin Show is 100% listener supported. Help us keep our show independent and unfiltered. Consider supporting our work with a one-time or recurring donation HERE. Tweet to Patrick HERE Follow Patrick on Facebook HERE Check out the store HERE Sign up for our Inside Scoop newsletter with the best of The Patrick Coffin Show each week.