Christopher Sparks asked Facebook friends to finish the question: “How can you still be Catholic when…?” And then answered them, keeping each answer to about three pages, large font, and including recommended reading for those who want to go deeper. These questions touch on some of the biggest issues people grapple with when they think about the Catholic Church: the Inquisition; the Crusades; the Church’s role in a state; homosexuality; women in the Church; and others. None of the answers is intended to be comprehensive, but rather as a way to offer people a way into the conversation. Sparks wants to equip Catholics to give a defense for the hope that is in them (see 1 Pt 3:15), to give questioning souls a sense that there actually are answers to these questions, and give those who fight the faith pause.

Topics include:
· the Inquisition;
· the Crusades;
· the Church’s role in a state;
· homosexuality;
· procreation;
· women’s place in the Church;
· and much more.

For practicing Catholics, Sparks will equip you to give a defense for the hope that is in your heart. For doubting souls, you will be happy to learn there are perfectly good answers to your perfectly reasonable questions. For those who have fought the Church tooth and nail, yield the floor a moment to Christopher Sparks. Hear him out. It’s time to move beyond the myths!

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