Can Religious Schools Take Public Money and Still Discriminate?

Coming Out as Civil Disobedience in the Church

In this episode, we explore why coming out in the Church can function as an act of moral agency and even civil disobedience. Drawing from the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Black Christian theology, and his own experience as a gay Catholic, Chris Damian discusses silence, disclosure, queer identity, Church power structures, and the spiritual cost of marginalization. We talk about being pressured into silence by Christians, losing opportunities because of LGBTQ+ identity, and how public disclosure can transform understandings of justice, dignity, and resistance. We also examine how LGBTQ Christians, gay priests, immigrants, and other marginalized groups can challenge unjust systems simply by speaking openly about their experiences. This conversation touches on civil disobedience, Catholicism, queer theology, religious trauma, homophobia in the Church, and the example of Christ himself in confronting authority. 00:00 The Weight of Silence: A Personal Journey 03:02 Civil Disobedience and Moral Agency 06:10 Learning from Dr. King: Lessons for LGBTQ Christians 08:50 The Power of Coming Out: Transforming Victims into Agents 12:09 A Call to Action: Solidarity and Resistance

Why put migrants and diversity at the center of an encyclical on AI?

Most of us are unprepared for the profound questions the digital age is forcing us to ask about humanity, justice, and the future. Which is partly why Pope Leo XIV has recently published Magnifica Humanitas, his encyclical on safeguarding humanity in the age of AI.He moves us to ask: What if AI isn't the enemy, but a mirror revealing our deepest moral choices? In this episode, Chris Damian reads through the encyclical, to pull out key themes and ideas. He helps unpack a vision that challenges how we think about technology, community, and human dignity in a rapidly evolving world.Chris explores how the Church’s social tradition—from Rerum Novarum to Laudato Si—offers crucial insights into navigating the AI revolution. He unpacks how the Pope critiques the tech-giants’ concentration of power, warns against the dehumanization risk posed by unchecked efficiency, and emphasizes the importance of shared discernment rooted in the dignity of every human person. You'll discover why the biblical images of Babel and Jerusalem’s walls serve as powerful metaphors for unity, diversity, and shared responsibility in shaping a just, inclusive future.We break down the core principles shaping the Church’s moral framework—dignity of the human person, universal destination of goods, subsidiarity, and solidarity—and how they can serve as guides for building ethical, equitable digital societies. You'll learn why the pursuit of progress must be driven by love, mercy, and true participation, not just technological increase or economic gain. Chris elaborates on urgent issues like AI’s role in misinformation, surveillance, virtual exploitation, and the risk of global inequality—highlighting how marginalized communities, including migrants and the poor, must remain central to the moral conversation.Why does the Catholic vision of mutual gift, community, and love challenge the narratives of transhumanism and posthumanism? How can we resist the temptation to let profit, power, and efficiency reshape our identity? This episode invites you to reflect on your role in fostering a civilization of love amid the forces trying to reframe our shared future. Perfect for anyone concerned about the moral implications of AI, social justice, or the church’s evolving voice in global affairs—this is a call to action rooted in hope, rooted in faith, and rooted in the profound dignity of every human being.Join us as we journey through the moral landscape of a transforming world—showing that even in darkness, small acts of fidelity and compassion can light the way toward a more human, loving, and just civilization. Don’t miss this essential exploration of faith, technology, and the human soul.02:49 Technology and Humanity: A Dual Perspective05:02 The Tower of Babel vs. Rebuilding Jerusalem08:19 Building for the Common Good11:14 Core Principles of Catholic Social Doctrine15:10 The Meaning of Progress in Society19:38 The Role of the Church in Social Justice24:08 Evolution of Church's Social Teaching28:17 The Dignity of the Human Person33:02 Human Rights and Their Implications39:32 The Right to Life and Human Dignity42:54 The Common Good and Social Responsibility45:44 Technology, AI, and Human Capacity49:43 Ethics in AI and Decision Making54:07 The Role of the Church in Modern Society58:22 Human Limitations and Flourishing01:00:21 Truth, Communication, and Social Trust01:03:51 Work, Economy, and Human Dignity01:07:05 New Forms of Exploitation and Responsibility01:10:43 War, Peace, and the Culture of Love

Navigating Niche Internet Fame as Gay & Ex-Catholic Creators

What happens when your “tiny” online platform suddenly follows you into real life—family dinners, gay bars, dating apps, and DMs from priests in crisis? In this episode, Chris Damian (lawyer, gay Catholic writer) and Cade (ex-Catholic atheist YouTuber) unpack the weird reality of hyper-niche fame: stalkers, parasocial relationships, over-sharing faith and sexuality online, and learning to set boundaries when thousands of strangers know your story better than your friends do. They talk about advice they won’t give, why they refuse to process their deepest wounds in real time for content, and how they both try to give people more options—not a single “correct” path—when it comes to religion, queerness, and leaving (or staying) in the Church. 00:00 Navigating Public Presence 01:40 Chris's Stalker Story 07:08 Balancing Public and Private Life 19:57 Processing Personal Issues Publicly 27:04 Navigating Public Spaces and Giving Advice 31:44 The Role of Content Creators in Religious Discourse 34:32 Managing Beef 43:59 The Value of Diverse Voices 48:10 Maintaining Personal and Public Personas

My Pastor Lied, the Diocese Covered It Up… and I Stayed Catholic

In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Fahey, a former parish catechist turned licensed counselor in Michigan who now works at the intersection of mental health, Catholic theology, and spiritual abuse. Paul shares his journey from homeschooled, Steubenville-era zeal and a full-time job in parish ministry to walking away after years under a narcissistic pastor, a hostile work environment, and a diocese that refused to act—right up to a bulletin letter publicly shaming the entire staff.We talk about spiritual abuse as an abuse of power and conscience, why “he hasn’t committed a crime” is a devastatingly low bar for Catholic leaders, and how systemic betrayal in the Church can wound as deeply as individual acts of harm. Paul reflects on Pope Francis, fundamentalism, and moving from a transactional God to a “God of gratuitous love,” as well as why he remains Catholic even when he can’t always fully participate. We also explore survivors’ Masses, the Eucharistic Congress, hopeful universalism, purgatory as truth-telling, and the grassroots work of communities like Sisters of the Little Way and Awake. If you’ve been harmed by the Church, are wrestling with staying or leaving, or just want better language for spiritual abuse, this conversation is for you.

Can Religious Schools Take Public Money and Still Discriminate?

The Catholic case at the Supreme Court: Can faith-based schools receive public funds while discriminating? This episode unpacks a pivotal legal battle shaping the future of Catholic education and religious liberties in America.The Supreme Court case St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy tests a fundamental question: Can faith-based schools accept public funding and still refuse enrolling children because they have same-sex parents? In this discussion with Cade from gayextrad and Justin from Empty Chairs, we explore how Colorado's universal preschool program intersects with religious freedom—and what it could mean for thousands of children and families.Join us as we dive into the complex legal and moral issues behind the case— from non-discrimination laws to religious liberty standards. The briefings in the case question the very purpose of Catholic education: Is it insular community building or engagement with the outside world? How do Church teachings about sexuality and equality collide with the realities of publicly funded services? And what does this case reveal about the broader battle over religious identity and civil rights in the United States?We break down key legal cases like Employment Division v. Smith and Carson v. Mackin, and examine how they influence current debates. Plus, hear reflections about conservative Catholic educators, LGBTQ Catholics, and legal experts, on whether the Church’s mission is to create a closed community culture or to embrace an evangelizing Gospel.In a time where religion and law collide, misunderstanding and misrepresentation abound—from accusations of discrimination to claims of religious persecution. We highlight why this case is more than legal wrangling: it’s about what kind of society and what kind of Church we want to build— one that prioritizes inclusivity or one that shields religious institutions from accountability.This discussion challenges us to reconsider what it truly means to practice faith in a pluralistic society—and how legal decisions reverberate through the lives of real children and families.Tune in to hear nuanced perspectives and think critically about how laws shape our moral and spiritual communities—because the outcome could redefine faith-based schooling for generations to come.00:00 Introduction to the Case01:00 Background of the Universal Preschool Program02:45 Legal Context and Non-Discrimination Requirements06:04 Supreme Court's Involvement and Key Questions07:30 Understanding Employment Division v. Smith10:59 Perspectives from Catholic Communities12:50 The Role of Admissions in Religious Education15:32 Freedom of Conscience and Government Funding17:54 Protecting LGBTQ Families in Catholic Education20:40 The Dilemma of Catholic Identity and Inclusivity23:57 The Purpose of Catholic Education26:35 The Impact of Discrimination on Children30:52 Misunderstanding Religious Liberty33:33 Government's Duty Against Religious Injustice34:41 Misrepresentation of Catholic Teachings35:48 Discrimination Justified? A Catholic Perspective38:09 The Role of Catholic Schools in Society40:08 Diversity in Catholic Education42:36 Navigating Complexities of Catholic Doctrine45:09 Funding and Discrimination in Catholic Schools47:35 The Impact of Discrimination on Children49:38 The Gospel as Good News for All53:40 Conversations with LGBTQ Parents in Catholic Schools