It's cliché already to say that one shouldn't discuss religion or politics at dinner parties. Increasingly, however, religion and politics are the same thing. That's partly because liberal religious denominations have been adopting the left's political platforms to substitute for dead articles of faith. And it's also because people seem to make political choices less based on rational calculations of self-interest, and more on millenarian visions of the ideal life, however fanciful.
That's bad, because it means it is increasingly hard to persuade leftists to break away from what is clearly not working in any practical sense. And it also means electing the left means committing society to increasingly extreme policies.
But there is a silver lining: we know how to deal with religious difference, and Western Civilization has known how to do so since the end of the Thirty Years' War in 1648. We just agree to disagree; we live and let live; we move on.
I have found that in recent discussions with serious, hard-core Democrats and leftists, there is an increasing ease of conversation, partly because both sides seem prepared to use the religious model -- you believe what you believe, I believe what I believe, and neither of us tries too hard to dissuade the other.
That does not mean every set of beliefs is equally valid or useful. But it does mean we might yet salvage social cohesion from the divisive morass of politics.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)
This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
- John Carney - Breitbart News financial editor, on the upcoming jobs report
- Jerome Hudson - Breitbart News entertainment editor, on the Kimmel fallout
- Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on the UN and Gaza talks
- Matisyahu - award-winning reggae artist, on his new album, "Ancient Child"
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
