Thinking Faith With Eric Gurash And Dr. Brett Salkeld

On Monday, January 13 Canadians were asked to provide input into an expansion of the country's medically assisted suicide laws. Canadians have until January 27 to express concerns in an online survey. On this week's show, Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett break down the questions and discuss ways in which we, as Catholics could approach this important survey.  The survey can be found at the link: Medical Assistance In Dying - Share Your Views 

As Dr. Brett's #populationisnottheproblem revolution continues, we discuss the issue of waste in the production industry, its ramifications for the care of persons in need and the kinds of changes in attitudes and behaviors that could ensure access to material needs for all, this week on Thinking Faith!

Perhaps you heard of that letter from 11000 scientists that was released as 2019 drew to a close? Among the points made, did you notice the one about the need for population control? Dr. Brett Salkeld and Deacon Eric Gurash take the population question head-on and create a new hashtag with the bold claim that #populationisnottheproblem in part one of two, this week on Thinking Faith!

On this eve of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God or "Theotokos", Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett conclude their examination of Enculturation and syncretism using the Amazon Synod's Pachamama controversy as a case study in asking the right questions. Coming to terms with what we know and what we don't this week on Thinking Faith!

Into this quiet place, before the Christ child...we hear God say: I am with you. To stay. It is your world I have come to dwell in. Your broken heart and wounded soul I have taken for my home. My love will light the darkness. So, friends, light the candles, and open your hearts. It is Christmas. Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Merry Christmas, everyone! Donald Bolen Archbishop of Regina

As this fourth and final (and very short!) week of Advent moves quickly into Christmas we invite you to take a few moments to step out of the frantic pace of the holidays and discover hidden gifts and graces that only a contemplative attitude can reveal. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Year's this week on Thinking Faith!

Keep awake and stay alert. These advent themes invite us to foster and develop what is known as a Contemplative Attitude - a particular way of being within the world that is 'highly tuned' to the presence of Christ in our midst. In this part one of a two-part Advent retreat, Deacon Eric reflects on this call to keep watch and how we might foster a contemplative attitude this Advent this week on Thinking Faith!

The National Day of Prayer In Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples which coincides with the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) and the concerns around Indigenous statues at the Vatican is a perfect time to revisit a past show topic. In this part one of two, we'll discuss Our Lady's role in enculturating the Gospel through dress, language, and symbol and try to put to rest the concerns about wooden statues once and for all. This week on Thinking Faith! 

Who is St. Ignatius of Loyola and why does the story of this former soldier, and founder of the Jesuits continue to inspire the Church today? In response to a listener question, we discuss the history and the spiritual gifts of this Spanish saint as we carry on this pilgrim's journey, this week on Thinking Faith! Find out more about Ignatian Spirituality and Discernment at the following links; https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/fr-timothy-gallagher-discernment-of-spirits/

As one liturgical year comes to an end and another one is set to begin, we reflect on the great Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe who rules not through political savvy and raw, authoritarian power, but from the Cross. On the cusp of Advent, we take time to reflect on what it means to follow a crucified King, in this Bonus Episode of Thinking Faith!

You ask, we answer! Listener Elaine asks for a bit of information on Sts. Thomas Aquinas and Ignatius of Loyola - two of Brett and Eric's favs. This week we discuss St. Thomas. We'll look at how Brett and "The Angelic Saint" became best buddies, a bit of history and why the Church is a better place because of this medieval Dominican saint this week on Thinking Faith! If you'd like to know more about St. Thomas, the Dominicans, and his philosophy, check out the links; https://thomisticinstitute.org/ https://aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org/

In part two of our time with guest, Patrick Malone, we delve deeper into our conversation on film, literature, and faith with a look at Christ figures in popular movies. We'll take a look at James Bond in "Skyfall", Batman in the "Dark Knight" and the "Dark Knight Rises" and discuss the personification of evil as portrayed in the recent film "Joker". Looking down the barrel of the good, the bad, and the ugly this week on Thinking Faith!

With nearly $180 Billion spent on film and literature around the world in the past year, it's easy to see how deeply ingrained the desire for story and narrative is in the human heart. In the midst of all the conversation around the favorite films of friends and family, what might our Catholic faith have to contribute? We're talking film, literature, and faith this week on Thinking Faith!

Election day saw every one of us cooperating with evil in one way or another. What exactly do the Church and moral theology have to say about such a situation and how does this apply in our daily lives beyond election years? Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett spend some time defining terms, discussing options, and asking that all-important question "How can that be a thing?" This week on Thinking Faith!

With Halloween fast approaching what better time than to delve into the question of spells and magic and all things Potter? Does the Catholic Church teach that magic is real? What about other works of fiction and fantasy? What role to do parents have in making decisions about what kids read and what kinds of conversations are possible around the Potter books and others in your family. A not-too-spooky episode of Potter Hocus Pocus this week on Thinking Faith!

In our fourth and final chat with Dr. Charles Camosy of Fordham University, we examine issues of ecology, ethical farming, poverty, and government-sanctioned violence. How does our #throwawayculture infect each of these areas and can a consistent life ethic provide a holistic antidote?  The doctor is in, this week on Thinking Faith!

In this part three of four Dr. Brett Salkeld and Deacon Eric Gurash sit down with Dr. Charlie Camosy of Fordham University to discuss issues of sex and sexuality, reproductive biotechnologies and abortion. They'll examine the ways our throwaway culture affects our approaches to these issues and examine how the principles of a consistent life ethic can lead us to healthier approaches and discussions. Resistance may not always be futile, this week on Thinking Faith!

In this part two of four, Eric and Brett continue their conversation with Dr. Charlie Camosy, professor of Ethics at Fordham University, NY regarding his recent book "Resisting Throwaway Culture: How a consistent life ethic can unite a fractured people". What do we mean by a consistent ethic of life? Are there any basic principles to base such an ethic upon? They'll answer these questions and more this week on Thinking Faith! You can meet Dr. Camosy at Campion College’s first annual Jesuit Lecture Series on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the Campion Auditorium. Click here for details.

Dr. Charlie Camosy, professor of Ethics at Fordham University in New York, joins Eric and Brett during this Reverence for Life month in the Archdiocese of Regina. In this first of a four-part series on his latest book "Resisting Throwaway Culture" they'll look at the broad and problematic cultural and political context we find ourselves in and begin an examination of the potential for a consistent life ethic to break down the barriers of polarization and create an ethos centered on care for the vulnerable in all facets of society.  You can meet Dr. Camosy in person as Campion College in Regina inaugurates its first annual Jesuit Lecture Series with Dr. Camosy on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the Campion Auditorium. Check out the link for more information: https://campioncollege.ca/events/jesuit-lecture/

In this final episode of three stemming from this summer's PEW study finding that 70% of Catholic do not believe what the church teaches about Christ's presence in the Eucharist, Eric and Brett take a look at how the idea of Real Presence and Transubstantiation developed in the Church and ways we can help Catholic encounter and experience Christ more profoundly in the Eucharist. We're entering into Mystery with Awe and Wonder this week on Thinking Faith!