Why Jordan Peterson Made Me An Atheist

Jordan Peterson is famous for inspiring many to take religion seriously — but for me, he had the opposite effect. In this video, I walk you through how reading Maps of Meaning turned me from a devout Catholic who almost became a priest into an atheist — and how Peterson’s ideas unexpectedly helped me accept myself as a gay man. We'll dive into belief, metaphorical substrates, value hierarchies, meta-narratives, and why I eventually walked away from Peterson too. Strap in — it’s a journey.

00:00 Discovering Jordan Peterson's Work
03:26 Realizing Natural Explanations for Religious Benefits
05:03 Understanding Peterson's Concept of God
08:07 Metaphorical Substrate and Its Influence
09:46 The Power of Stories and Archetypes
15:35 Meta-Narratives: Finding Purpose and Direction
17:43 Questioning the Need for a Supernatural God
18:50 The Role of Belief in Religion
25:54 Embracing My Sexuality: Peterson's Indirect Influence
28:58 Why I Left Jordan Peterson Behind
30:32 Critique of Peterson's Views and Methods
34:11 Conclusion: Life Beyond Dogma

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