During an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with guest Andrew Wilson, the conversation touched on religious themes and the role of faith in society.
During the podcast, Wilson brought up Jordan Peterson’s philosophical perspective. Rogan agreed, speaking about his compelling argument about belief: “If you believe if you act as if God is real, you will have a better life. Like it works. It really does work.”
Guest Andrew Wilson agreed, stating: “Almost like a universal truth.”
Rogan agreed with this assessment, acknowledging the practical benefits of religious frameworks. The discussion then turned to atheism and its psychological effects.
Rogan observed that many self-professed atheists he knows struggle with mental health issues. “So many of them that I know that are self-professed atheists are some of the most miserable people,” he said. “They’re very depressed. A lot of them are on psychiatric medications. A lot of them are in therapy.”
Wilson suggested these individuals are “almost cursed,” and the conversation explored how secular worldviews might contribute to poor mental health outcomes compared to religious frameworks.
Rogan shared his personal experience attending church, noting the exceptional kindness of churchgoers. He described leaving the church parking lot as remarkably civil compared to other public spaces, with everyone patiently allowing others to exit first.
“If there was a pill that could make you as nice as the people that I go to church with, everybody would be on it,” Rogan said. He emphasized that these are “the nicest people you will ever encounter” and suggested that if therapy or medication could produce similar results, everyone should pursue it.
The discussion also touched on Christian ethics and forgiveness as valuable societal frameworks. Wilson, who identifies as Eastern Orthodox, emphasized the importance of religious foundationalism in conservative thought and argued that Christian frameworks provide necessary moral structure.
During the conversation, Rogan acknowledged the practical benefits of religious community and the ethical frameworks that faith traditions provide, particularly when contrasted with purely secular approaches to meaning and morality.
