Andrew, I am so thankful for you every day. My family are all artists in one form or another who have spent long lives learning their art. I dabble but am not proficient in any creative art but I need to be creative to survive. I was super liberal, growing up during the hippie years and buying into being a hippie. Then I went got my college degree in Social work in Minnesota!!! I was brainwashed in leftist thinking without knowing it. My family now live in LA and MN. Only one sibling out of many is conservative as I am. My sister and I have such a hard time staying in relationship with them because they treat us like we are idiots. They are rude and disrespectful about politics. Even though I am the oldest sibling, and they all learned their damn liberal BS from me in the first place (ugh), they believe that suddenly I have lost my ability to think logically! My one sister and I are Christians. I am sure this is what informed our growing conservatism over the years. (besides both being married to conservative men, thank God)
You can see why your words mean so much to me. I have a similar history to yours. Some of my family work in the movie industry in LA even. And all my life I have been obsessed with analyzing the culture and the arts and how they intersect. At the same time I am a pretty concrete thinker so your words open up issues to me so I can see them clearly.
The issue of the day is antisemitism. I totally agree with you that it's the devil and as simple as that. Any true Christian loves the Jews. I wanted to be Jewish as a kid so badly. My mom was Episcopalian and my dad was a jazz guitar player professionally. My dad's friend were all either black or jewish! LOL! And I made friends with jewish girls and slept over at their houses and that made me wish I was jewish since childhood. My family was chaotic and my dad was an alcoholic and my jewish friends, their dad could play jazz and still not drink too much. Plus they got to drink soda with dinner instead of milk like we had to drink...Anyway, I just wanted to thank you and Spencer for your substack and Daily Wire, where I see your podcasts.
It’s the same with TDS. If someone hates the president, there is nothing you can say about one of his good policy decisions because they are already emotionally aligned against him. With antisemitism it is mostly envy and resentment at Jewish success. How can this tiny tribe be so influential? The antisemites explain it with conspiracy theories. How about intelligence, family-centeredness, ethical focus, historical awareness? Imo, one should start there trying to understand Jewish success and influence, not conspiracy theories.
I think debate in this instance can be useful. You are assuming everyone thinks the same way. Some people have to be convinced in a rational fashion. As Ben Shapiro says, two things can be right at once. You can just be right but some people need to see a well structured argument. This is why I like to read Jordan Peterson, it adds rational credence to my faith. Sometimes, you have to spell out what is obviously true. That has been shown to be true repeatedly throughout history. You have to touch the wet paint.
The danger is that the lack of debate can be taken as a sign of weakness, a bit like the Federal Government shutting down speech they don't like. Although there's no compulsion in this instance, just a refusal to acknowledge. If you aren't the person to do the debating, that's fine but I think it is wrong to say there is no point in debating these people. You definitely won't change their minds but you could well change someone else's in the process.
Obviously, I'm not opposed to debate. Last night, I got into an interesting discussion on whether trying to "end poverty" actually got in the way of helping those poor people who could be helped. People took different sides, all interesting. But if someone had said, "Screw the poor. I think the answer is to wipe them out. Debate me, bro!" would I really have to engage with him to prove I'm not afraid? If I'm afraid, I'm afraid he will make a plausible case for evil — which is easily and often done.
I completely understand the point you're making but my point is not to engage with that person to change their mind but to engage to change the minds of naive people who may be drawn towards the argument. For example, if someone would just challenge that idiot Tate, maybe some of his followers would actually see what an idiot he is. If someone made him look totally stupid on air, it might make some of his easily led followers to see they have been wasting their lives. But, he is constantly asked soft questions wherever he goes and no one challenges his ridiculous claims.
PS. Member block on Friday was perfect. God always sends you to give me the answer when I'm struggling most. I watch Ben for news analysis and I watch you for life advice (and I don't watch Knowles at all. LOL). I'm not gay like in your example, (in case my wife ever reads this) but we all struggle with desires we do not want. So, thank you.
It is curious that the “other” have no points to make, just emotion and rage and, as you brilliantly pointed out, Satan’s sniggering. I wonder if holding up a mirror, so they could see themselves would be worth the trouble. I guess not, for it presupposes an awareness that left them a long time ago. Well done. Again. As usual.
I have truly never understood blind raging hatred of God’s chosen people. To say it is nonsensical seems trite. And fun fact, there is no debate with people who have let evil invade their souls. But, is it just me or does there seem to be a lot more people acting together to perpetuate evil, almost like the demons of hell are exploding across the planet.
I agree with all except the statement about why God became incarnate. The reason you gave could be a secondary or tertiary one, but foremost, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which I am chief," said the apostle Paul. And I'm with Paul on that, including the sinner part.
Yes, absolutely, but I was thinking specifically of his ministry and preaching. Coleridge asked, “Might not Christ be the World as revealed to human knowledge? A kind of common sensorium, the total Idea that modifies all thoughts?” By sensorium he meant a guide to our senses, since our senses are so easily led astray by self-interest, envy, hatred, pride, etc. That said, I agree with you.
Well-explained. Yes, there was purpose in his ministry as well as his ultimate sacrifice. I hadn't thought of it in that way. I will say, I understand your writing better than Coleridge's. :)
These hate-filled people have no interest in debate, in which there is an exchange of ideas and arguments for and against the ideas offered. They merely want to continue their rants and spewing of hatred. If there were a possibility of true debate, they would not be in this position.
I have a friend from school who was my roommate and best man at my wedding. Unfortunately he is also a very virulent bigot and antisemite. He reads only what conforms to his opinions, and dismisses everything else. There is no reaching this man, even with the very videos released by Hamas. He dismisses them as disinformation, and prefers his own rationalizations, and will not change. He is convinced there is a genocide of Palestinians, in which case it it she most inept genocide of all genocidal attempts, since the population of Palestinians has actually increased since the beginning of the war. I can only pray for him, and tell him of my prayers and concern for him. He does not see the hatred as hatred, or states that it is hatred of Naziism. “There is no one so blind as one who refuses to see”.
"All races and all individuals are steeped neck-deep in sin. You can choose any one of them to hate and blame with good reason. But if you do, nothing will avail you when you shout out “Debate me, bro!” before the throne of your maker and judge."
Your reference to intelligence and susceptibility to evil is interesting. I have several siblings with extremely high IQs (in the 160s). Me, I'm just average, maybe a hair or two above. These siblings are all on the left and even antisemitic to one degree or another. I've noticed the greatest pitfall for intelligent souls is arrogance; and arrogance is like the superhighway express lane to evil. The beauty of the Jewish culture is that, despite their intelligence, at times, a critical mass of them will catch on to this pitfall and it will dawn on them what God meant when he said they were "chosen." The arrogant "self chosen" can't stand for that. The antidote to arrogance, of course, is humility. We must continually nurture humility within ourselves; and of course, Christ (the Chosen and a Jew) is the ultimate example of that.
A recent article in WSJ commemorating the life of Daniel Khanemann , aptly summed up his work in determining how humans make decisions- he states they are not irrational
but that they are inconsistent, emotional and easily fooled—most easily of all, by themselves. Self-delusion helps sustain most people
Andrew, I am so thankful for you every day. My family are all artists in one form or another who have spent long lives learning their art. I dabble but am not proficient in any creative art but I need to be creative to survive. I was super liberal, growing up during the hippie years and buying into being a hippie. Then I went got my college degree in Social work in Minnesota!!! I was brainwashed in leftist thinking without knowing it. My family now live in LA and MN. Only one sibling out of many is conservative as I am. My sister and I have such a hard time staying in relationship with them because they treat us like we are idiots. They are rude and disrespectful about politics. Even though I am the oldest sibling, and they all learned their damn liberal BS from me in the first place (ugh), they believe that suddenly I have lost my ability to think logically! My one sister and I are Christians. I am sure this is what informed our growing conservatism over the years. (besides both being married to conservative men, thank God)
You can see why your words mean so much to me. I have a similar history to yours. Some of my family work in the movie industry in LA even. And all my life I have been obsessed with analyzing the culture and the arts and how they intersect. At the same time I am a pretty concrete thinker so your words open up issues to me so I can see them clearly.
The issue of the day is antisemitism. I totally agree with you that it's the devil and as simple as that. Any true Christian loves the Jews. I wanted to be Jewish as a kid so badly. My mom was Episcopalian and my dad was a jazz guitar player professionally. My dad's friend were all either black or jewish! LOL! And I made friends with jewish girls and slept over at their houses and that made me wish I was jewish since childhood. My family was chaotic and my dad was an alcoholic and my jewish friends, their dad could play jazz and still not drink too much. Plus they got to drink soda with dinner instead of milk like we had to drink...Anyway, I just wanted to thank you and Spencer for your substack and Daily Wire, where I see your podcasts.
It’s the same with TDS. If someone hates the president, there is nothing you can say about one of his good policy decisions because they are already emotionally aligned against him. With antisemitism it is mostly envy and resentment at Jewish success. How can this tiny tribe be so influential? The antisemites explain it with conspiracy theories. How about intelligence, family-centeredness, ethical focus, historical awareness? Imo, one should start there trying to understand Jewish success and influence, not conspiracy theories.
I think debate in this instance can be useful. You are assuming everyone thinks the same way. Some people have to be convinced in a rational fashion. As Ben Shapiro says, two things can be right at once. You can just be right but some people need to see a well structured argument. This is why I like to read Jordan Peterson, it adds rational credence to my faith. Sometimes, you have to spell out what is obviously true. That has been shown to be true repeatedly throughout history. You have to touch the wet paint.
The danger is that the lack of debate can be taken as a sign of weakness, a bit like the Federal Government shutting down speech they don't like. Although there's no compulsion in this instance, just a refusal to acknowledge. If you aren't the person to do the debating, that's fine but I think it is wrong to say there is no point in debating these people. You definitely won't change their minds but you could well change someone else's in the process.
Obviously, I'm not opposed to debate. Last night, I got into an interesting discussion on whether trying to "end poverty" actually got in the way of helping those poor people who could be helped. People took different sides, all interesting. But if someone had said, "Screw the poor. I think the answer is to wipe them out. Debate me, bro!" would I really have to engage with him to prove I'm not afraid? If I'm afraid, I'm afraid he will make a plausible case for evil — which is easily and often done.
I completely understand the point you're making but my point is not to engage with that person to change their mind but to engage to change the minds of naive people who may be drawn towards the argument. For example, if someone would just challenge that idiot Tate, maybe some of his followers would actually see what an idiot he is. If someone made him look totally stupid on air, it might make some of his easily led followers to see they have been wasting their lives. But, he is constantly asked soft questions wherever he goes and no one challenges his ridiculous claims.
Also, Biden. Debate me bro! Oops.
PS. Member block on Friday was perfect. God always sends you to give me the answer when I'm struggling most. I watch Ben for news analysis and I watch you for life advice (and I don't watch Knowles at all. LOL). I'm not gay like in your example, (in case my wife ever reads this) but we all struggle with desires we do not want. So, thank you.
No debating this letter. Bravo Andrew.
It is curious that the “other” have no points to make, just emotion and rage and, as you brilliantly pointed out, Satan’s sniggering. I wonder if holding up a mirror, so they could see themselves would be worth the trouble. I guess not, for it presupposes an awareness that left them a long time ago. Well done. Again. As usual.
I’m sorry, but I have to say that your calling antisemites “stupid as bricks” is an insult to bricks of epic proportion.
I have truly never understood blind raging hatred of God’s chosen people. To say it is nonsensical seems trite. And fun fact, there is no debate with people who have let evil invade their souls. But, is it just me or does there seem to be a lot more people acting together to perpetuate evil, almost like the demons of hell are exploding across the planet.
I agree with all except the statement about why God became incarnate. The reason you gave could be a secondary or tertiary one, but foremost, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which I am chief," said the apostle Paul. And I'm with Paul on that, including the sinner part.
Yes, absolutely, but I was thinking specifically of his ministry and preaching. Coleridge asked, “Might not Christ be the World as revealed to human knowledge? A kind of common sensorium, the total Idea that modifies all thoughts?” By sensorium he meant a guide to our senses, since our senses are so easily led astray by self-interest, envy, hatred, pride, etc. That said, I agree with you.
Well-explained. Yes, there was purpose in his ministry as well as his ultimate sacrifice. I hadn't thought of it in that way. I will say, I understand your writing better than Coleridge's. :)
These hate-filled people have no interest in debate, in which there is an exchange of ideas and arguments for and against the ideas offered. They merely want to continue their rants and spewing of hatred. If there were a possibility of true debate, they would not be in this position.
I have a friend from school who was my roommate and best man at my wedding. Unfortunately he is also a very virulent bigot and antisemite. He reads only what conforms to his opinions, and dismisses everything else. There is no reaching this man, even with the very videos released by Hamas. He dismisses them as disinformation, and prefers his own rationalizations, and will not change. He is convinced there is a genocide of Palestinians, in which case it it she most inept genocide of all genocidal attempts, since the population of Palestinians has actually increased since the beginning of the war. I can only pray for him, and tell him of my prayers and concern for him. He does not see the hatred as hatred, or states that it is hatred of Naziism. “There is no one so blind as one who refuses to see”.
"All races and all individuals are steeped neck-deep in sin. You can choose any one of them to hate and blame with good reason. But if you do, nothing will avail you when you shout out “Debate me, bro!” before the throne of your maker and judge."
Wisdom.
God has given His children common sense.
Your reference to intelligence and susceptibility to evil is interesting. I have several siblings with extremely high IQs (in the 160s). Me, I'm just average, maybe a hair or two above. These siblings are all on the left and even antisemitic to one degree or another. I've noticed the greatest pitfall for intelligent souls is arrogance; and arrogance is like the superhighway express lane to evil. The beauty of the Jewish culture is that, despite their intelligence, at times, a critical mass of them will catch on to this pitfall and it will dawn on them what God meant when he said they were "chosen." The arrogant "self chosen" can't stand for that. The antidote to arrogance, of course, is humility. We must continually nurture humility within ourselves; and of course, Christ (the Chosen and a Jew) is the ultimate example of that.
A recent article in WSJ commemorating the life of Daniel Khanemann , aptly summed up his work in determining how humans make decisions- he states they are not irrational
but that they are inconsistent, emotional and easily fooled—most easily of all, by themselves. Self-delusion helps sustain most people
Satan is roaming the earth boldly these days and ruining souls at a breathtaking rate, using our tolerance against us.
Those that think , have eyes & ears to see & hear , create art !
those that don’t debate .
A bit like Lucifer , and look how his career went !
I'll stick with you and the other Jew!! Thanks for both of these letters.