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The Church's Messy Past: How a Thought Experiment Helped Me Convert (#359)

Author
Greg Smith
Published
Fri 25 Jul 2025
Episode Link
https://consideringcatholicism.podbean.com/e/the-churchs-messy-past-how-a-thought-experiment-helped-me-convert/

[DONATE WITH PAYPAL] Greg responds to listener Shandra's heartfelt question about the Catholic Church's historical involvement in injustices like the transatlantic slave trade and the subjugation of Ireland. Drawing from his own conversion journey as a former Protestant, he shares a thought experiment: What if the Church hadn't existed as a societal force? Exploring real historical "control groups" from Eastern Christianity and analogies like C.S. Lewis's grumpy Christian, Greg argues the Church acted as a moderating influence amid human sin, rather than its cause. He avoids detailed apologetics, focusing instead on empathy, facts about historical biases, and theological hope for imperfect vessels.


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Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/


Email: [email protected]

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