https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni Ask Catholic Priest Fr James Baptist your questions about superheroes, the Bible and us! en-us 2021-07-11 10:45:48 UTC 2026-01-03 22:14:59 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1644488224 2021-07-11 11:23:36 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1644488224 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1645776135 From time immemorial, grand narratives (myths, legends, epic ballads, graphic novels, superhero films, etc...) have accompanied human society. Would you say, having such narratives is part of our nature?

Moreover, such grand narratives often contain heroes, which are exemplars of virtues, and villains, which are embodiments of vices. What role would you say these have in one's moral development?]]> 2021-07-12 10:35:02 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1645776135 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1651051866 If God is the "omnipresent" and "omnipotent" superhero of the world then why does He allow things like childhood cancer, painful death and diseases/illnesses like this coronavirus to happen? Why doesn't He just save us?]]> 2021-07-15 10:56:24 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1651051866 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654639369 Often in comics, as in science fiction, we encounter extra-terrestrials and otherworldly beings. In many cases, it is taken for granted they are persons -- non-human persons, but persons nonetheless (like, angels who are persons but not human). Think of Superman, for instance. In view of this, what makes a person a person, and thereby baptisable (assuming they had a physical body to administer baptism)?]]> 2021-07-19 11:03:33 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654639369 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654647507 I've been a massive Star Trek fan for over 25 years, and have always felt that while it was written from a secular viewpoint, that many of its ideals, such as the need for humanity to continually improve itself and strive for something greater, and to treat all equally, lined up very much with my Catholic faith. The Original Series and Deep Space 9 in particular had many allusions to the Bible and faith in general- the latter series explored the faith of one of the protagonist alien races. The Next Generation tended to be more secular in its approach, but I still felt it had similar ideals. Are you a fan of Trek, and if so, do you agree with my assertion, and do you have anything to add to that?]]> 2021-07-19 11:20:19 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654647507 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654889139 The Judeo-Christian worldview is unapologetically monotheistic. Nevertheless, the Bible seemingly expresses the existence of other 'gods' besides the one true God. A couple of key examples: 1) the Decalogue's "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" could be interpreted as to suggest the reality of other 'gods'; and 2) similarly, Psalm 82:1, "God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment" (NRSV), could also be read to indicate the presence of other 'gods' in a pantheon-like council. To be sure, scholars have proposed ways of understanding such passages without compromising monotheism, for instance, 1) that the other 'gods' are false gods of the pagan nations; 2) that the other 'gods' are in reference to angelic beings; or 3) that the other 'gods' are human judges, kings, or other authorities.

In comics, those of Marvel particularly, we meet many gods. Thor and Loki are just two popular gods of the numerous gods in the Marvel cosmology. How should these gods be understood? Are they divine beings or preternatural, though non-divine, entities?]]> 2021-07-19 15:55:14 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654889139 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654981088 In Infinity War, Captain American tells Vision “we don’t trade lives”. This line is used often by the Prolife fans. Yet we see multiple times trading lives happen in the MCU. Iron Man and Black Widow’s sacrifice. Even the Hulk made a risk by using the gauntlet and everyone else let him do it.  Also Vision himself asked Wanda to kill him for the greater good. How moral were their decisions? Especially for Wanda?]]> 2021-07-19 17:42:53 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654981088 https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654982471 In comics and science fiction, the topic of parallel universes is sometimes explored. Hypothetically, if parallel universes exist, what would be the implications for Christian beliefs. For example, would the Incarnation be required in each parallel universe, and if so, would it be idiosyncratic to each one (i.e. if, say, reptilian aliens populate a universe, would we have a reptilian Jesus)?

Another question, if there are parallel universes, would Christ's 'once and for all' (CCC 1085) Paschal mystery (i.e. His passion, death, and resurrection) be sufficient for every universe, or would it be required in each one?]]> 2021-07-19 17:44:36 UTC https://padlet.com/watbranches/xwewrnqnqa18vyni/wish/1654982471