Bishop Barron on Not Dumbing Down the Faith: Answers to Young People's Pressing Religious Questions

Friends, at the Regional Congress 2.0 Teach event, I presented on the importance of not dumbing down the faith as we engage in religious education. Young people enjoy asking about and discussing the big questions, from God’s existence, to how to be a good and moral person, to the problem of suffering. A disconnect takes place when we meet these intellectual questions with watered-down catechesis. Instead, we must remember the central teachings of Christianity. We must present the fullness of truth, the reality of the Incarnation, and the good news of grace.
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[@hosatk]

I know Bishop Barron gets a lot of blowback from some traditionalists, but whether or not one agrees with his opinions, I do find him honest, forthright, serious, and holy. He is a force for good in the Catholic Church and the world at large.

[@Simon-tc1mc]

As a young person who was raised Catholic, became atheist, and is now on the fence. This is what we need more of. If the church wants to get us back, they need to engage with us.

[@ronnestman4696]

I am so blessed and fortunate to discover Bishop Barron on KZbin. I have been a believer in Christ since I was a child of maybe 8 or nine. Went to church here and there but honestly, I followed the culture. I turned my life into a disaster. Fortunately by the grace of God I stumbled into AA. Long story short I have slowly began embracing my faith and life is getting better. Bishop Barron has been an excellent conduit for Gods mercy through his son Jesus. I really really appreciate his efforts.

[@MaireTreasa]

I do remember asking my mother questions when I was young and yes, she did give me the line of "Don't ask questions, just have faith." As an adult, I now wonder if that was because she didn't know the answers herself and was told the same thing as a child. At the age of 52, I am now flipping over many rocks in the pursuit of my faith once and for all. Bishop Barron, you have been a great source of information for me and I'll never be able to thank you enough.

[@rachelashalen1868]

I am a Protestant and just happened onto this video, I just want to say that it was very good, and I really appreciate your honest responses to these big questions. Very, very helpful. :) God bless you.

[@anamarx818]

I am a protestant and have been learning a lot from your talks. God bless you!

[@jeannettedegoede3407]

In my 81 years of living this faith, I treasure it beyond everything. The power of prayer is for all the youth and adults to find this treasure in the field.

[@declanburke861]

Since Ash Wednesday, about 50 /60 of us meet every morning at 7am to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church for an hour. It has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever done. We are just a quarter of the way through but already have learned so much. We need the Bible in one hand and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the other.

[@joehinojosa24]

IF EVERY CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS THIS HOMILY, THERE WOULD BE REVIVAL.

[@nicksdragon6929]

How Lucky I am to be a Catholic after 45 years of being a non-denominational type and finding you Bishop barron. My faith is renewed and I share you with everyone I can thank you thank you thank you God bless you.

[@kfvr9999]

Thank you for this video father Barron! I’m a 21 year old girl who was raised with religion but eventually started dismissing it like many of my friends. In recent years I’ve noticed myself being drawn back in again, but I still had (and have) a lot of questions like the ones you mentioned in this video. I go to university and I’m trained to think analytically and critically. No religious leader or teacher that I’ve encountered in my life has ever put in the effort to explain these sort of things to me, which is probably one of the reasons why I ‘stopped’ believing in my teenage years. But since I’ve been searching for God again, your videos have been a great help to explain things I’m already feeling on an intellectual level 🙏🏻

[@jimcallahan9346]

The man has a gift.

[@sjappiyah4071]

Protestant here, thank you Bishop Barron for your continual thoughtful insight.

[@kenkratman6447]

I really needed to hear this right now. I'm a combat vet who had these exact questions. Thank you Father. I truly think God sent me here.

[@daisyisichei693]

The intelligibility of the universe point was presented to me as "the traveler's argument" in Philosophy 201 in college. Soon as I figured out that the argument was an elaboration of Anselm's and Aquinas' work, I KNEW Catholicism was the only way for me. Also, shout out to the Dominican Priests who helped me see clearly.

[@clintonharvey-olivier3660]

I had a very rough few years, where.. I lost everything, and everyone important in my life.. I watched my parents and grandparents pass away, and working in Emergency Medicine, saw so much Trauma and Death.. I wrestled with God, and had that very sinking feeling, why would an all loving God, allow that.. and, He was able to use those experiences, to fuel a fire in me, to care for those who are dying, to work in Hospice.. and, find joy, in caring for those in their darkest moments, and just loving them, and making sure they know that they are not alone..

[@mcurcio8315]

i went to catholic school and i feel like they didnt do a good job of explaining the faith to us. there was so much we didnt learn about. i dont know why they didnt, but i think it is extremely important to arm young catholics today with information about their faith today so they can combat the secularism that is so pervasive in the culture.

[@michaelciliadebono8316]

Been having a rough time teaching Catechism, clearly my prayers have been answered! God Bless!

[@Mr._Anderpson]

Heya Bishop Barron. I'm a recent convert (baptized at the end of June), & was an atheist of the condescendingly smug variety for roughly 30 years. There is something Carl Sagan wrote which struck me a few years ago when I began seeking in earnest. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is made bearable only through love." Here was a physicist I deeply respected (& still do) telling me physics didn't have all the answers & instead I had to turn to an intangible I always regarded as nothing more than a trick of human brain chemistry, love.

[@lrose1076]

I'm a convert to the faith and I talk with my child about the faith all the time. She is very devout and not even a teen yet. We enjoy watching your talks, Chris Stefanick, Fr. Calloway, and The Chosen. We usually attend daily Mass and never miss a Sunday Mass. Thanks for sharing about your conversations with your mom!