Jordan Peterson Image, By Gene Skidmore, June 15, 2018
One of the best-known people on the planet is Canadian psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson, from Toronto, Canada. At his point, I will argue that he is so widely respected that he has become a citizen of the world. With undergraduate degrees in political science and psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, he has the credentials to open many doors. But in my opinion, what makes Dr. Peterson so unique is his willingness to stand in the storm of criticism and wokeness and speak the truth regardless of personal attacks and criticism.
First Exposure
I first became aware of his work when I saw his campus discussions with students, where he would go toe-to-toe with them in open discussions. In an age where most in academia have little courage and will bend to the will of the mob, Dr. Peterson is a breath of fresh air. His exposure through the Internet, and in my case, YouTube, opened doors I doubt he would ever have imagined. A person who attracts hundreds of millions of views on YouTube is saying something people want to hear.
One only needs to watch a few of his video conversations to realize you need to be well-researched and well-educated to argue your positions. To Dr. Peterson’s credit he is willing to discuss just about anything within his area of expertise, and also willing to identify when he is speaking only from personal experience. He is also willing to learn from others and modify his position when he absorbs new facts and data, a rare trait in today’s world.
Canadian Government Attacks
Dr. Peterson has been especially vocal in his criticism of transgender movements across the world and the harm he believes this brings to children. His positions have garnered so much criticism from traditional psychologists and politicians that Canadian courts have ruled that to maintain his license, he needs to undergo what is, in effect, reeducation. Their ruling is reminiscent of Communist and Fascist Regimes, where reeducation to their line of thought is the only way, and clamping down on dissenting opinions is the only means for them to maintain control and power.
The ruling effectively restricts doctors from telling patients the truth about diagnoses and medical procedures for their transgender patients. In response to the court’s ruling, Dr. Peterson stated:
“If you think that you have a right to free speech in Canada, you’re delusional,” he said. I will make every aspect of this public, and we will see what happens when utter transparency is the rule. Bring it on.”
My guess is that the Canadian Government has met its match. He has openly stated that he will not comply with forced speech and will go to jail if necessary to maintain his position. Sending Dr. Peterson to prison or a reeducation camp would bring such a worldwide outcry that only foolish politicians would even try. In my opinion, If the Canadian government persists, they will discover that many countries are willing to offer Dr. Peterson citizenship. Financially, he is probably far beyond his professor’s salary from his teaching days, so financial threats will not work. Jordan Peterson does not need Canada; Canada needs Jordan Peterson.
Relationship to Christianity
Another headwind that Dr. Peterson has been willing to tackle is Christianity. A self-proclaimed atheist, he had a strong movement in his life toward Christianity when his wife contracted a rare and fatal kidney cancer known as a Bellini Tumor. She was given just ten months to live. During her journey, she embraced Catholicism and openly credits her full recovery to her connection to faith through a friend who taught her to pray the Rosary.
“Peterson recalled that the ‘the rhythm of the Hail Marys’ and the physicality of touching the beads helped keep her ‘present.’”
Kate Quinones
“At some point, every question bottoms out in a mystery, and that‘s where the faith has to be; Faith is necessary in part because you don’t know everything.”
Jordan Peterson
On Christian websites, there is much discussion about when, where, and how Dr. Peterson converted to the faith. I know few Christians who have had their journey and conversion experience examined in such detail. However, scrutiny of his life is the norm for Peterson..
The Challenges of Higher Education
Anyone, and I mean anyone, who has suffered through the financial and ideological challenges of college can appreciate Dr. Peterson’s next venture. Most of us consider this an insurmountable, intrinsic, and systemic set of problems. Most of us would move on to something else, not Jordan Peterson. One of our sons informed me of a new Peterson Academy website this past week, and I was interested enough to read about it and sign up.
I am too old to worry about degrees but not too old to want to learn and further my education. The first thing that hits you in the face on the homepage is this logo and statement.
PETERSON ACADEMY
Education, Devoid of Ideology
Affordable to all, taught by the best.
Whoever made the opening statement on this new offering captured the essence of the problem and the potential solution. Imagine if your child (or you) can take classes from the best instructors worldwide for $500 a year. This is less than many of the ancillary fees most universities charge for a single course.
The academy will initially offer self-paced courses from professors at Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, and Columbia. Once completed, students will be able to track their progress, test their comprehension, and communicate with other students.
Others offer online lectures and access to courses, but few carry the weight of Dr. Peterson’s name and his focus on success. My bet is that this will succeed, but not without some struggle. Certification is easy, but accreditation is hard. The existing academic infrastructure will probably mount a vigorous campaign to discredit the effort because they have the most to lose.
Based on track records, my money will be on Peterson.
Resources
Free Speech Suffers Massive Blow in Canada With This Ruling in Jordan Peterson Case, By Leah Barkoukis, Townhall, townhall.com, August 24, 2023.
Inside Jordan Peterson, Wife Tammy’s Private Struggles—Rehab, Cancer, By Sophie Lloyd, Newsweek, newsweek.com, September 7, 2023.
Jordan Peterson Discusses Wife’s ‘Miraculous’ Recovery From Cancer and Her Embrace of Catholicism, By 0Kate Quinones, National Catholic Register, ncregister.com, March 30, 2024.
Jordan Peterson Image, By Gene Skidmore, June 15, 2018, Wikipedia, wikipedia.org, Last accessed August 5, 2024, resized to fit website theme.
Jordan Peterson wrestles with God, By Meagan Saliashvili, Religion News Service, religionnews.com, February 15, 2024.
Peterson Academy, petersonacademy.com, Last accessed August 4, 2024.
Peterson is the New Driscoll: Why Evangelicals Seek Out Manly Men, by Kenneth E. Frantz and Samuel L. Perry, RealClear Religion, realclearreligion.org, September 278, 2019.
Tammy Peterson Speaks About Her Healing From Cancer and Conversion to Catholicism, By Kate Quinones, National Catholic Register, ncregister.com, February 3, 2024.
The Wounds That Won’t Heal: Detransitioner Chloe Cole, YouTube, youtube.com, Last accessed August 4, 2024.
When Did Jordan Peterson Convert to Christianity?, By Camilla Klein, Christian Educators Academy, christianeducatorsacademy.com, April 3, 2023.
