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Guest host Ken Hensley filled in to tackle a profound philosophical question: How can we see ourselves as rational, free beings in a universe of mere particles? We explored the clash between believing in inherent human dignity and an atheist's view of a mindless universe. 

Guest host Ken Hensley filled in to tackle a profound philosophical question: How can we see ourselves as rational, free beings in a universe of mere particles? We explored the clash between believing in inherent human dignity and an atheist's view of a mindless universe.

The Patrick Madrid Show is your source for the latest in current events and contemporary issues. Join host Patrick Madrid for compelling insights, lively conversations, and encouragement for your day!

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The Patrick Madrid Show

The Patrick Madrid Show: August 23, 2024 - Hour 1

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So, Patrick dives into a question from Bonnie, who’s curious about those intriguing near-death experiences where people claim they've seen heaven or even Jesus himself.  The big question she asks: What does the Catholic Church think about these experiences?



Patrick starts by acknowledging that, throughout history, there have been countless reports of near-death experiences (NDEs). People often describe floating above their bodies, seeing a bright light, or even meeting Jesus. While these stories are fascinating, Patrick reminds us that the Church approaches them with cautious curiosity.



He breaks down the possibilities into three "buckets":



Imagination at Work: Patrick notes that our brains are powerful and can create vivid experiences, especially when we’re unconscious or close to death. Some NDEs might just be a result of our minds going into overdrive.



Body-Soul Separation: The Church teaches that death occurs when the soul leaves the body. Patrick speculates that some NDEs might be a glimpse of the soul lingering just before fully detaching from the body. This could explain those heightened senses or out-of-body perspectives some people report.



Genuine Afterlife Encounters: Then, there's the possibility that some people really do get a sneak peek into the afterlife. Patrick mentions biblical examples like Lazarus, who was truly dead before Jesus brought him back to life. However, he also warns that not all these experiences are heavenly. St. Teresa of Avila, for example, had a terrifying vision of sliding down a slimy tunnel toward hell—a wake-up call for her to change her life.



Finally, Patrick adds a word of caution: If someone’s NDE contradicts Church teachings or the Bible—like claiming everyone goes to heaven, regardless of faith—that could be a red flag that the experience might be more demonic than divine. 



In the end, while some NDEs might be genuine, many could just be products of imagination or even spiritual deception. The key litmus test? Always check if these experiences align with what Jesus and the Church teach. If not, it’s probably best to approach them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

So, Patrick dives into a question from Bonnie, who’s curious about those intriguing near-death experiences where people claim they've seen heaven or even Jesus himself.  The big question she asks: What does the Catholic Church think about these experiences?
 
Patrick starts by acknowledging that, throughout history, there have been countless reports of near-death experiences (NDEs). People often describe floating above their bodies, seeing a bright light, or even meeting Jesus. While these stories are fascinating, Patrick reminds us that the Church approaches them with cautious curiosity.
 
He breaks down the possibilities into three "buckets":
 
Imagination at Work: Patrick notes that our brains are powerful and can create vivid experiences, especially when we’re unconscious or close to death. Some NDEs might just be a result of our minds going into overdrive.
 
Body-Soul Separation: The Church teaches that death occurs when the soul leaves the body. Patrick speculates that some NDEs might be a glimpse of the soul lingering just before fully detaching from the body. This could explain those heightened senses or out-of-body perspectives some people report.
 
Genuine Afterlife Encounters: Then, there's the possibility that some people really do get a sneak peek into the afterlife. Patrick mentions biblical examples like Lazarus, who was truly dead before Jesus brought him back to life. However, he also warns that not all these experiences are heavenly. St. Teresa of Avila, for example, had a terrifying vision of sliding down a slimy tunnel toward hell—a wake-up call for her to change her life.
 
Finally, Patrick adds a word of caution: If someone’s NDE contradicts Church teachings or the Bible—like claiming everyone goes to heaven, regardless of faith—that could be a red flag that the experience might be more demonic than divine. 
 
In the end, while some NDEs might be genuine, many could just be products of imagination or even spiritual deception. The key litmus test? Always check if these experiences align with what Jesus and the Church teach. If not, it’s probably best to approach them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

What Does the Church Say About Near-Death Experiences? (Special Podcast Highlight)

n this episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick takes on a curious question from Javier in San Antonio: Did Adam and Eve actually need to eat to stay alive before "the fall?"



Patrick breaks it down by saying that the Catholic Church doesn’t have a solid, definite answer on this, so it's something we can speculate about. He mentions that St. Thomas Aquinas talked about this in his Summa Theologica. St. Aquinas seems to indicate that in the Garden of Eden, eating wasn’t about survival—it was all about enjoyment. 



Patrick goes on to explain that before "the fall", life was all about enjoying God’s creation and following His command. No hard work, no stress—just pure bliss with everything they needed at their fingertips. Of course, after "the fall", everything changed, and life got a lot harder. Patrick assumes that because Adam and Eve had regular human bodies, they probably did all the normal human things—like eating and digesting food.



Patrick also suggests checking out Pope Benedict XVI’s book, In the Beginning, if you’re into looking deeper into the creation story. It’s got some great insights on Genesis and how we fit into the big picture.



So, while we don’t have a definite answer, it’s pretty interesting to imagine how Adam and Eve lived in total harmony before things went south.

n this episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick takes on a curious question from Javier in San Antonio: Did Adam and Eve actually need to eat to stay alive before "the fall?"
 
Patrick breaks it down by saying that the Catholic Church doesn’t have a solid, definite answer on this, so it's something we can speculate about. He mentions that St. Thomas Aquinas talked about this in his Summa Theologica. St. Aquinas seems to indicate that in the Garden of Eden, eating wasn’t about survival—it was all about enjoyment. 
 
Patrick goes on to explain that before "the fall", life was all about enjoying God’s creation and following His command. No hard work, no stress—just pure bliss with everything they needed at their fingertips. Of course, after "the fall", everything changed, and life got a lot harder. Patrick assumes that because Adam and Eve had regular human bodies, they probably did all the normal human things—like eating and digesting food.
 
Patrick also suggests checking out Pope Benedict XVI’s book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Catholic-Understanding-Ressourcement-Retrieval/dp/0802841066">In the Beginning</a>, if you’re into looking deeper into the creation story. It’s got some great insights on Genesis and how we fit into the big picture.
 
So, while we don’t have a definite answer, it’s pretty interesting to imagine how Adam and Eve lived in total harmony before things went south.

Did Adam and Eve Need to Eat Before the Fall? (Special Podcast Highlight)

Special Guest Host Ken Hensley dives deep into the tension between atheist and Christian worldviews on morality and human rights. He explores how atheists often believe in inherent human value and unalienable rights, yet lack a solid foundation for these beliefs within their materialist perspective. He also discusses insights from who challenge the sufficiency of a purely materialist view. If you want to understand the complex interplay between worldviews and ethical principles, this is a must-listen. 

Special Guest Host Ken Hensley dives deep into the tension between atheist and Christian worldviews on morality and human rights. He explores how atheists often believe in inherent human value and unalienable rights, yet lack a solid foundation for these beliefs within their materialist perspective. He also discusses insights from who challenge the sufficiency of a purely materialist view. If you want to understand the complex interplay between worldviews and ethical principles, this is a must-listen.

The Patrick Madrid Show: August 23, 2024 - Hour 1

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