Jordan Peterson is the protagonist of a new viral video from Jubilee, a YouTube channel in which various guests discuss current issues that are often sensitive and complex. In the case of Peterson's video, Jubilee puts the renowned psychologist at the center of a debate with 20 avowed atheists who discuss four issues with Jordan:
- Atheists reject God, but they do not understand what they are rejecting;
- Morals and purposes cannot be found within science;
- Everyone worships something, including atheists, even if they are not aware of it;
- Atheists accept Christian morality, but reject the fundamental stories of religion.
At the end of the discussion of these four questions, one of the guests, chosen by Peterson, presents him with another thesis, which they discuss for ten minutes. On this occasion, the topic proposed by the young woman chosen to debate is that the framework proposed by Jordan Peterson to understand Christianity is not the same as the one used in the Bible.
The radical nature of the Christian message
Beyond the fact that these are really interesting topics, what stands out the most is the ability of the controversial psychologist to defend Christianity better than many faithful Christians. Peterson not only shows a profound knowledge of the BibleHe has also devoted much time to analyzing the implications of the words of Christ in the New Testament. He is one of the few people who emphasizes today what Jesus already said: to get to Heaven you have to enter through the narrow gate.
Authentic commitment to the Catholic faith involves a change of life, mind and heart. It is a true conversion and Jordan Peterson is one of those voices who understands the radical nature of this issue. Knowing this, it is easier to understand the reasons why he does not say publicly whether he is a Christian or not. What fool could claim to believe in Christ and live his teachings without feeling like a hypocrite as he contemplates his own life?
Hatred of Jordan Peterson
None of the issues raised in the video, which lasts about an hour and a half, are easy to resolve. On social media it seems that the only conclusion people have come to from watching the debate (which has surpassed 4 million views in three days) is that Jordan Peterson is a fraud as a Christian, cornered by some young people throughout the debate.
Needless to say, anything Peterson says today is viewed with suspicion. He is probably one of the most hated people for his speeches against woke ideology, exacerbated feminism and the transgender movement, which has earned him quite a few enemies.
A year ago Peterson made headlines because of the conversion of his wife, who has been baptized and joined the Catholic Church. As expected, all eyes were on him and the questions started to come in: Is Jordan Peterson a Catholic? Is he finally going to convert?
The psychologist has avoided speaking publicly about his faith at all times. In a very sincere way, he explained that if he publicly designated himself of one confession or another, this would be an opportunity for any religious institution to start using him as a shield and flag.
Not only that anymore. Although we have lost the habit, once upon a time there was intimacy, thanks to which it was not necessary to bare your whole being in front of strangers and no one accused you for wanting to protect your inner life.
From debate to personal attack
One of the most viral moments of the debate occurs when a boy asks Peterson if he is a Christian or not. The psychologist refuses to answer the question and, when the young man begins to disrespect and pour out personal attacks, Jordan refuses to continue conversing with him.
The analysis made on social networks is that the author feels cornered and humiliated, however, anyone who has seen Jordan Peterson debate on other occasions will know that he is an interlocutor who always demands the utmost respect in conversations.
The topics covered in Jubilee's video are not mere barroom conversations, but far-reaching and vitally important ideas. Moving from serious debate to personal attacks is not winning the conversation to a controversial figure, it is pulling arrogance to smear a man you disagree with. It is the tactic of the "bully", who stands up proudly from his chair but does not realize that he has lost the debate, simply because he does not know how to participate in it.
Righteous and sinners
By listening to the conversation of Jordan Peterson and his interlocutors calmly, avoiding the prejudices one may feel towards him, the viewer will be able to follow a really interesting debate. The words we use matter, hence the psychologist's insistence on making some basic definitions clear. Respect is also essential, and that is the real reason why he puts an end to one of the conversations.
Jordan Peterson is not a theologian, a detail that he emphasizes several times in the video when he is asked questions that are beyond his knowledge. Moreover, he seems to forget that, even if we make mistakes and sin, Christ still calls us and we can be Christians. But the conclusion of the debate is not so much whether Peterson is a fraud or not, but the fact that it takes a great deal of preparation to defend our faith, because the world asks questions and has the right for Christians to answer them, based on the teachings of Jesus.
In this sense, it makes no difference whether Jordan Peterson is a Christian or not. The question is whether each of us is, and whether we would be able to defend our faith to the hilt, overcoming personal attacks and with a genuine capacity for dialogue in the face of the issues raised by today's society.
The following is the complete discussion:
