Jordan Peterson stirred major online buzz over the weekend after a video of him debating 20 atheists went viral — not for his arguments, but for refusing to say whether he identifies as a Christian.
The video, posted Sunday to the popular YouTube channel Jubilee, was originally titled “1 Christian vs. 20 Atheists” but later updated to “Jordan Peterson vs. 20 Atheists” — possibly in response to the firestorm that followed.
In the nearly 90-minute video, Peterson sparred with a group of atheists on topics ranging from theology to morality. The turning point came midway through when a participant named Danny challenged Peterson on whether he considered himself a Christian — especially since Peterson reportedly attends Catholic Mass with his wife, who converted last year.
“You’re a Christian,” Danny said.
“You say that. I haven’t claimed that,” Peterson replied — a response that drew laughter from the crowd.
Pressed further, Peterson stood firm: “I could be either of them, but I don’t have to tell you. It’s private.”
Danny pushed back: “Either you’re a Christian or you’re not. Which one is it?”
“I don’t know,” Peterson said, prompting Danny to sarcastically ask, “You don’t know where you are right now?”
“You’re really quite something, aren’t you?” Peterson snapped.
“Aren’t I? But you’re really quite nothing, right? You’re not a Christian?” Danny shot back before Peterson ended the debate with him entirely.
A short clip of the heated moment has racked up over 7 million views, with the caption: “During a debate titled ‘One Christian vs. Twenty Atheists,’ Jordan Peterson was pressed to identify himself as a Christian but awkwardly refused.”
Peterson has long walked a complex line on matters of faith. Though he's explored religious themes extensively in his writing — including in his 2023 book “We Who Wrestle with God” — he's avoided labeling himself.
In a 2024 interview with country singer John Rich, Peterson admitted he “loathed” discussing his personal faith publicly, saying he feared it would become “a spectacle.”
Sunday’s viral exchange suggests that spectacle is now unavoidable.