Canadian psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson refused to call himself a Christian during a tense exchange on a recent episode of Jubilee Media’s debate series Surrounded.
The episode, titled Jordan Peterson vs Twenty Atheists, saw the 62-year-old field questions from a circle of atheist challengers. The confrontation escalated when Danny, a philosophy graduate and vlogger, questioned Peterson’s views on Catholic doctrine and asked directly whether he identified as a Christian.
“Why is that relevant?” Peterson asked him.
“Because you go to a Catholic church. I’m sure you’ve attended recently. You’re interested in Catholicism, aren’t you?” Danny responded. “You’re familiar with their doctrines?... How do they regard Mary?”
“Why are you asking me that?” Peterson asked.
“Because you’re a Christian,” Danny responded.
“You say that. I haven’t claimed that,” Peterson snapped back.
“What is this – Christians vs atheists?... You don’t know where you are right now?” Danny scoffed.
Pressed to clarify, Peterson responded: “I could be either of them, but I don’t have to tell you… it’s private.” The conversation ended after Danny remarked, “You’re really quite nothing,” prompting audible gasps from other participants.
Peterson, a former professor at the University of Toronto, rose to international prominence in the 2010s for his opposition to compelled speech and identity politics. He has since become known as a controversial public figure, blending psychological theory, cultural commentary and religious themes.
In a January 2025 interview with The Spectator, Peterson offered a more reflective take on his faith, saying: “I would say in the deepest sense [I’m a Christian]… I’m a new kind of Christian.”