Hollywood's Catholic Caricatures: Fat Bishops, Mean Nuns, and the Big Con (#365) episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 8, 2025 · 37 MIN

Hollywood's Catholic Caricatures: Fat Bishops, Mean Nuns, and the Big Con (#365)

from Considering Catholicism · host Greg Smith

[DONATE WITH PAYPAL] In this lively conclusion to a three-part series looking at myths about Catholicism, Greg and Ed the Protestant unpack how "Hollywood"—from Reformation-era propaganda to modern films, novels, and TV—ingrains unconscious biases against Catholicism through tropes like fat, greedy bishops, ugly scheming monks, mean ruler-wielding nuns, and spooky cathedrals that twist sacred awe into dread. They challenge the pervasive vibe that nobody truly believed the faith, portraying it as an elaborate con everyone winked at, questioning how such a "scam" could endure for centuries with genuine devotion from saints, martyrs, and everyday believers. Drawing on the "Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect" and personal anecdotes—like Protestant pastors' misconceptions and the absurd "candle-lighting priest" cliché—they highlight how these visceral impressions hinder apologetics, much like racial stereotypes, and urge listeners to investigate the Church firsthand beyond media distortions and "common knowledge" to discover authentic faith. Donate with PayPal! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: [email protected]  

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 8, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Hollywood's Catholic Caricatures: Fat Bishops, Mean Nuns, and the Big Con (#365)

0:00 37:24

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Considering Catholicism?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this Considering Catholicism episode published?

This episode was published on August 8, 2025.

Can I download this Considering Catholicism episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!