William Hemsworth's Blog, page 24

Sin and Inner Transformation: An Advent Reflection

The eve of Advent may seem to be one of the least propitious junctures at which to raise the likely all-time least-favorite theological issue of sin but in actuality, the timing could not be better. While most contemporary observations of Advent focus on joyous celebration, family, friends, parties and presents, the early church took a…

Sin and Inner Transformation: An Advent Reflection

Arianism and the Problem of Impassibility

Arius is known by most as the archetypical heretic of Christian history. He was not the first and certainly not the last. Nevertheless, his teaching would go on to inspire the penning of the Nicene Creed, and so he ranks as one of the more famous heretics of church history. What exactly did Arius teach? […]

Arianism and the Problem of Impassibility

German missionary priest released a year after being abducted in Mali

Contacted for comment on the day of the release, the Society of the Missionaries of Africa told ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, that “we shall have time” to provide an update on Lohre’s situation. Asked to confirm the media reports about the release of Lohre, Father Didier Sawadogo, the provincial of the West […]

German missionary priest released a year after being abducted in Mali

Bearing With the Imperfect

To have that love for our neighbor which is commanded by the Lord, we must entertain good and amiable feelings towards him, especially when he is disagreeable and annoying to us on account of any defect, natural or moral; for then we find nothing in him to love, except in God. The maxim of the […]

Bearing With the Imperfect

Texas dioceses targeted by scammer impersonating Catholic priest

“Father Martin” succeeded in accessing one private area of a Dallas parish, Kiser said, but she said it was determined “he wasn’t able to gain access to money or valuables” because of locked doors.  In response to the incident, the Dallas Diocese issued a security bulletin that included photos of the fake priest along with […]

Texas dioceses targeted by scammer impersonating Catholic priest

Michael Voris resigns from Church Militant

The statement:  Fellow Catholics, Church Militant/St. Michael’s Media was founded as a bastion of Catholic truth and a light to the faithful in hard times. This is why we are being fully transparent with you all. Michael Voris has been asked to resign for breaching the Church Militant morality clause. The board has accepted his […]

Michael Voris resigns from Church Militant

‘A battle inside us’: Hebrew Catholics in the Holy Land wrestle with challenges of war

Advent candles are lit at the foot of the altar in the Church of Sts. Simeon and Anne in Jerusalem. On Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community began the “Great Advent.” This period spans seven to 13 weeks before Christmas and commences the day after the celebration of Simchat Torah (Joy of the […]

‘A battle inside us’: Hebrew Catholics in the Holy Land wrestle with challenges of war

The incredibly freeing lesson in the Parable of the Talents

Can you remember a moment in your life when someone looked at you with special concern, recognizing something in you that you had not seen in yourself — a potential? For me it was my ninth grade teacher Mrs. Szczesny. When the guidance counselor concluded that academically all I could manage was general math, it was […]

The incredibly freeing lesson in the Parable of the Talents

Persistence in Prayer Will Not Go in Vain

[tta_listen_btn] Readings: Wis 18: 14-16, 19: 6-9; Lk 18:1-8 Through this parable of the widow and the unjust judge, Jesus wants to tell his disciples about the importance of persistence and unwavering faith in prayer. The story is about a widow who was deprived of her rights by an unjust judge. Despite being repeatedly denied […]

Persistence in Prayer Will Not Go in Vain

Ben Shapiro Makes Case for Concept of Free Will on Latest ‘Big Conversation’ Debate

LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 – Premier Insight, the Christian media group behind the popular “Unbelievable?” podcast, continues to spark enlightening discussion among leading thinkers across the belief spectrums in science, religion and philosophy, with the latest episode of “The Big Conversation,”  releasing Dec. 1 (Nov. 24 for subscribers). 

Currently concluding its 5th season, The Big Conversation, hosted by comedian and apologist Andy Kind, features some of the biggest minds in the Christian, atheist and religious world debating some of the biggest questions of science, faith and what it means to be human. Episode 7 of this season features a ruminative discussion between renowned political thinker and Daily Wire Host Ben Shapiro and ‘Cosmic Skeptic’ YouTuber Alex O’Connor on the concept of free will, the idea of ‘self’ and the subsequent implications of religion.  

“Virtually all of us, whether we say we believe it or not, actually act in ways that betray the idea that we believe that we have control over our own actions…and that control makes a difference in the world; that’s what gives us purpose,” Shapiro speculates. “It’s what allows us to wake up in the morning and make the decision to do what we believe is right or what we believe is wrong. And the principles of right and wrong are external to evolutionary biology.”  

Shapiro, Co-founder and Editor Emeritus of The Daily Wire, is a distinguished figure in the realm of political discussion, recognized largely for his bold opinions and remarkable debating skillsets. He is also the host of The Ben Shapiro Show, a top-ranking podcast worldwide. Ever-innovative in thought and influential in culture, Shapiro brings a fresh and compelling perspective to this philosophical conversation.   

Also joining this complex discussion is YouTuber and Within Reason Podcast host Alex O’Connor, acknowledged for his thoughtful philosophical points and noteworthy debates. As a returning guest on The Big Conversation, O’Connor’s insights continue to provoke deliberation on varying timeless faith-science-philosophy contemplation topics.  
“…with a religious philosophy, we have the benefit of introducing a soul. That doesn’t solve anything…It’s not a matter of having to explain the mechanism by which the soul brings about actions. That may well be a mystery,” notes O’Connor. “But if it is the case that whatever it is that’s doing that is either determined or it’s not—and… if it’s not—it’s random and therefore out of your control… [And thus,] free will cannot exist.”   

Religion’s effects in the evolution of consciousness, Nihilism’s counter to the concept of free will and, ultimately, the basis of varying worldviews serve as crucial discussion points to note in this thought-provoking exchange.   

In partnership with the John Templeton Foundation, the 5th season of The Big Conversation wraps up this season on a captivating note, leaving audiences across the belief spectrum increasingly inquisitive of the ever-disputed questions among various worldviews and intricacies in the crossover realms of science, faith, philosophy and culture.   

The Big Conversation is a unique video series from Unbelievable?, the flagship apologetics and theology discussion show on Premier Insight.