Published on September 12, 2024, 12:59 am

Image source: Fox News

Renowned Canadian psychologist and cultural analyst, Jordan Peterson, has voiced concerns about the “woke” ideology pervading Protestant churches, cautioning that many Christian institutions have strayed from their core principles to trail behind societal trends—a move he believes is detrimental to society. He shared these views during an interview at the premiere of the film “Am I Racist?”. Peterson identifies the frequent display of rainbow flags outside numerous Protestant churches as a symbol of abandoning fundamental Christian beliefs for indulgent pride—a trend deeply worrying in his opinion.

Peterson perceives growing acceptance of identity politics within some churches as a hazardous departure from essential Christian teachings. This shift threatens to affect especially younger generations more likely to be swayed by current cultural tendencies. Even conservative Evangelical churches are not exempt from issues. The author suggests these turn away from faith can pave the way for manipulative individuals who exploit religion for personal gain—a plausible threat that often harms religious practices.

Such risks considered, Peterson urges Christians not only to nourish skepticism towards those who might misuse faith but also discern genuine commitment to faith through a leader’s actions and achievements—since “by their fruits, you will know them”.

Drawing on his broad scholarship on Christian themes, values, and Biblical narratives, Peterson emphasises Christianity’s immense cultural and moral importance; particularly relevant in Western civilization which he believes was significantly built upon biblical conceptions of good and evil.

Despite casting light on the ongoing disquiet within modern-day churches, Peterson finds relief in a resurgence of church attendance often seen primarily among conservative circles. Exposing children to conventional religious values emerges as a potential guiding force amidst modern life’s entanglements—particularly notable in our socially connected world.

The father-of-two suggests that early exposure to fundamental religious ideas might help balance the challenges arising from our tech-saturated lifestyle such as addiction-prone content or social isolation following prolonged screen time.

To navigate this highly digital age effectively, he emphasizes the need for both limiting children’s access to electronic devices during formative years and encouraging them to be discerning content consumers. Parents should remain in active conversation with children about their online consumption habits, guiding them through the winding maze of information out there.

Although Peterson acknowledges social media as a catalyst for divisive communication, he contests Americans are not as divided as it seems. He believes that manipulative actors using these platforms amplify apparent rifts beyond what truly prevails among the masses. Thus, he calls for careful regulation of social behavior on social platforms while underlining the threat of flagrant misuse leading to an accelerated degradation of public dialogue.

As a trustworthy news provider in today’s world shaped by biases and unfounded narratives, we strive to uphold our commitment to deliver real news grounded in truth and originality. Aware of our service from a Christian worldview, we aim to present balanced perspectives, bridging gaps rather than widening divides—rooted in faith, but conscious of changing times.