Thread by @jakerattlesnk

I've been listening to the @joerogan Experience for over a decade now, and have observed his transformation from militant Atheist to... Well, you'll see.

Here is a detailed history of Rogan's commentary on Christianity, through clips and debates from the podcast👇

Thread 🧵

In this early clip from the Joe Rogan Experience, we hear Rogan railing against Christianity.

He calls Christians dumb and confidently suggests that smart people are predominantly atheists because atheism requires a more sophisticated level of analysis.

This is classic New Atheist rhetoric, where intellect is seen as inherently opposed to faith. But this notion misunderstands what Christianity truly is. Faith in Christ is not anti-intellectual; it engages deeply with questions of morality, purpose, and truth. Christianity has inspired some of the greatest minds in history—from Augustine to Aquinas, from Newton to Pascal to C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.

Here, Rogan shares ( with @peterboghossian ) his belief that humanity is in an “early stage of enlightenment,” where progress will naturally lead to moving further away from God.

He even asserts that the New Testament was “made by Constantine,” which is blatantly false.

Rogan’s claim reflects a common misunderstanding about progress and religion. The idea that enlightenment means moving away from God ignores how much of Western enlightenment was built on Christian foundations. The scientific revolution, the moral framework of human rights, and even modern education systems owe a debt to Christian thought.

Additionally, the misconception about Constantine is a myth thoroughly debunked by scholars. As he will come to find out.

In this clip, Rogan confidently dismisses the notion that Christianity is evidence-based. He says he’d need to see a study to believe it.

Christianity doesn’t rely solely on empirical studies; it’s a holistic worldview that integrates historical evidence, philosophical reasoning, and experiential truth.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, for instance, is supported by historical documentation, eyewitness accounts, and the rapid rise of the early church. Rogan’s narrow lens on evidence prevents him from seeing this broader tapestry of proof.

. @Nero Milo Yiannopoulos directly challenges Rogan, calling him out for being “too intelligent” to be so dismissive of religion. Rogan mocks Milo, but Milo doesn’t let up.

By refusing to let Rogan off the hook, he forces him to confront his intellectual arrogance. What Milo points out—and what Rogan begins to realize some time after this episode—is that dismissing Christianity without truly understanding it is not intellectual but lazy.

Christianity is not just a set of dogmas; it’s a worldview that has shaped civilizations and provides answers to life’s deepest questions.

Milo’s confrontation might not have changed Rogan’s mind immediately, but it planted a seed of doubt in his New Atheist certainties.

In a discussion with @RichardDawkins , Rogan calls Dawkins’ claim that “all religious people are atheists” a “home run.”

Hard watch.

This reductionist view conflates disbelief in specific gods with Atheism, missing the unique claims of Christianity. The God of the Bible is not one among many but the source of all being, the moral lawgiver, and the ultimate truth.

Rogan’s endorsement of this idea shows how deeply entrenched he was in the New Atheist framework, which prioritizes soundbites over serious engagement with theology.

In this clip, Rogan’s tone begins to shift. He acknowledges that religion, while human-made, could make the world a better place.

This is a significant moment. Rogan is starting to recognize the moral and social value of faith. Christianity’s vision of human dignity, forgiveness, and redemption has profoundly shaped history.

Rogan’s admission here suggests he’s starting to recognize the moral and social value of faith, even if he hasn’t yet embraced its truth claims.

. @jordanbpeterson statement—“It isn’t that the Bible is true; it’s that the Bible is the precondition for the manifestation of truth”—clearly resonated with Rogan.

Peterson reframes the Bible as the foundation for truth itself, challenging materialist assumptions and highlighting the existential truths Christianity addresses.

In this clip with @RealMattFradd - Jordan Peterson names Rogan amongst recent Christian converts.

If there's anything we know about Dr. Peterson, it's that he chooses his words wisely... does he know something we don't?

In this clip, Rogan listens intently to @adamcurry who shares his journey to Christianity.

Curry’s story resonates deeply with Rogan’s own search for truth. His journey from skepticism to faith mirrors the path Rogan seems to be on.

What’s powerful here is Curry’s acknowledgment that Christianity is not just true in a factual sense but in a transformative sense—it changes lives. This is something Rogan is beginning to see as he engages with more Christians.

One of the key themes of early Atheist Rogan, is his insistence that Christians are operating at some sort of lower tier of thinking, and that science and Christianity are incompatible with each other.

This conversation with @StephenCMeyer was a crucial moment for Joe, as he was hearing a compelling case for intelligent design from a Christian scientist that is clearly pretty smart.

In this clip, @KidRock speaks to Joe about Jesus and his own faith.

Joe seems a lot more open to this worldview whilst maintaining the idea that is provides comfort and that's why it's useful. This doesn't address the truth of the claims, but that will come.

In this conversation, Rogan speaks with @WesleyLHuff a Christian historian and scholar... this was what all the Christians who follow Rogan all these years have been waiting for... an actual Christian historian who knows what they're talking about to come on the podcast and educate Joe about the history of Christianity and of the bible.

His question here, about Jesus Christ is pivotal because it moves the discussion from abstract ideas to a personal decision.

What do you do with Jesus? That’s the question every skeptic must answer, and it’s one Rogan is clearly grappling with.

People may wonder, why does it matter so much what Joe Rogan thinks?

It matters because he is a cultural barometer.

Joe Rogan shapes culture, from UFC to stand up comedy, jiu-jitsu, fitness bro merging with intellectual, and for a long time he was also synonymous with Atheism.

Thankfully, he's an ope. minded guy that is reachable with proper facts. Let's hope he continues to have real Christians on.

Check out the video version of this thread 👇
youtu.be/Syim9hdxPok?si…