Posts

Christmas and the End of Sacrifice

The Christian faith often invites us to hold together texts and events that seem to resist harmony. Nowhere is this tension felt more sharply than in the contrast between the Old Testament’s harsh legal judgments and the New Testament’s radical call to non-violence. As we approach the Christmas season and contemplate the Nativity of Christ, […]

Very Mimetic Christmas Special 2025 Panel Discussion (THINGS HIDDEN 227)

David Gornoski is joined by Jean-Michel Oughourlian, Jason Jones, Jim Fitzgerald, and Shannon Braswell for a special Christmas episode of THINGS HIDDEN. What is the cause of wars in human history? Is peace possible in the Middle-East? Did Trump just call Bill Clinton an aggrieved victim? What is the anthropological significance of Christmas that we’re […]

The Christian Meaning of Candace Owens’ Charlie Kirk Investigation (THINGS HIDDEN 225)

David Gornoski and Surit Dasgupta discuss the various layers in the story of Candace Owens investigating Charlie Kirk’s assassination and why there is a massive schism in the conservative movement right now. Where did investigative journalism come from? Why do we side with the underdog? What anthropological truths led to Charlie Kirk’s death? Watch more […]

Ethnos, Tribalism, and Globalism in the Shadow of the Cross (THINGS HIDDEN 224)

Shannon Braswell and Shane Kennedy join David Gornoski to discuss the ethnic history of Nigeria, the exploitation of Africa, the path out of tribalism, the political podcasting circuit, the rise of ethnic rivalry in the 21st century, and more.

Why Israel Lost the Gaza Opinion War w/ Rev Jim Fitzgerald (THINGS HIDDEN 223)

Pastor Jim Fitzgerald joins David Gornoski to discuss the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; similarities between October 7 and 9/11; the power of the victim; how the domain of the sacred moved from ethnos to the human person; the downward trajectory of Trump’s brand; the strange relationship between Palestine and intersectionality; why going to […]

Reject the Weapons of Violence

The recently released horror movie Weapons reminded me of how easily human beings, even the most innocent among us, can be shaped into living instruments of death by the powerful and manipulative. Yet, true to Hollywood’s habits, the story ultimately resorts to murder as the only answer to unchecked violence. It is also telling that […]

Romeo and Juliet as Scapegoat Lovers: A Girardian Analysis

René Girard’s mimetic theory, with its profound implications for literature, anthropology, and theology, casts a revelatory light on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Often mistaken for a tale of tragic love, the play is, at its core, a violent ritual deconstructed, thus revealing the sacrificial machinery upon which society maintains its false peace. In Girard’s framework, […]

Why Ron Paul Is the Only Politician World Leaders Should Emulate

In a geopolitical climate marked by escalating conflicts, overreaching state power, and moral ambiguity, few voices ring out with the clarity and consistency of Dr. Ron Paul. For generations, he has stood firm on foundational principles: non-interventionist foreign policy, steadfast constitutionalism, and a resolute adherence to Christian morality. It is precisely these qualities that make […]

The Rise and Fall of the Pagan World Order (THINGS HIDDEN 222)

In this THINGS HIDDEN episode, Shannon Braswell interviews Surit Dasgupta on Christianity in India, the truth behind the caste system, why the ancient world depended on sacrifice, how Jesus removes sacrifice from society, and more.

Madness and the Fear of God (THINGS HIDDEN 221)

In this THINGS HIDDEN episode, David Gornoski and Surit Dasgupta discuss William Wallace’s retreat to Mount Athos, Jesus as a political rebel, Christ vs cultural Christianity, the madness of the world order, generational trauma, and more.