Charles Murray – A Controversial Political Scientist's Spiritual Awakening
November 14, 2025
59 min
395 of 437

November 14, 2025
Charles Murray – A Controversial Political Scientist's Spiritual Awakening
0:00 / 59:07
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The Glenn Show Episodes Around November 14, 2025
Episode 395 of 437 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
59:07This episodeCharles Murray – A Controversial Political Scientist's Spiritual Awakening
Summary
<p>Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.com</p><p><strong>Video Links</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI" target="_blank">0:00</a> Charles’s new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Religion-Seriously-Charles-Murray/dp/1641774851" target="_blank"><em>Taking Religious Seriously</em></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Religion-Seriously-Charles-Murray/dp/1641774851" target="_blank"> </a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=511s" target="_blank">8:31</a> Why Charles finds the idea of divine creation plausible</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=834s" target="_blank">13:54</a> Charles’s “road to Damascus” moment</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=1165s" target="_blank">19:25</a> The appeal of Christianity</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=1491s" target="_blank">24:51</a> The evidence for life after death</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=1898s" target="_blank">31:38</a> Charles: “The relative positions of science and religion have flipped”</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=2202s" target="_blank">36:42</a> The trouble with scientism </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=2417s" target="_blank">40:17</a> Glenn’s steps toward and away from religion</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7gCoJijjI&t=3064s" target="_blank">51:04</a> Was <em>The Bell Curve</em> putting making a deterministic argument?</p><p>Recorded November 4, 2025</p><p><strong>Links and Readings</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Religion-Seriously-Charles-Murray/dp/1641774851" target="_blank">Charles’s new book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Religion-Seriously-Charles-Murray/dp/1641774851" target="_blank"><em>Taking Religious Seriously</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Ground-American-Social-1950-1980/dp/0465065880/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GXQ5NWWBYXS0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y3HGLzv87AudQg2htW1o5No8dGAldiIQHsGv6RIh4zh_4Zjg2TTwgugVO92fF-1g9gi1lx0vtPmWMaHuIXWhQBSbCMqT7bNguBF_jXur1ArP1oJMkduJg40j_Q6v_HOoNrmvNVqONjaOD4SUMP09-Q.MFrjNE-P4etls14b4LVQlrp3PS5m9UPT7PgD23JQErc&dib_tag=se&keywords=losing+ground+charles+murray&qid=1763140969&sprefix=losing+ground+%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Charles’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Ground-American-Social-1950-1980/dp/0465065880/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GXQ5NWWBYXS0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y3HGLzv87AudQg2htW1o5No8dGAldiIQHsGv6RIh4zh_4Zjg2TTwgugVO92fF-1g9gi1lx0vtPmWMaHuIXWhQBSbCMqT7bNguBF_jXur1ArP1oJMkduJg40j_Q6v_HOoNrmvNVqONjaOD4SUMP09-Q.MFrjNE-P4etls14b4LVQlrp3PS5m9UPT7PgD23JQErc&dib_tag=se&keywords=losing+ground+charles+murray&qid=1763140969&sprefix=losing+ground+%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Losing Ground: American Social Policy, 1950-1980</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Curve-Intelligence-Structure-Paperbacks/dp/0684824299" target="_blank">Richard Herrnstein and Charles’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Curve-Intelligence-Structure-Paperbacks/dp/0684824299" target="_blank"><em>The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Human-Diversity-Biology-Gender-Class-ebook/dp/B07Y82KNS1" target="_blank">Charles’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Human-Diversity-Biology-Gender-Class-ebook/dp/B07Y82KNS1" target="_blank"><em>Human Diversity: The Biology of Gender, Race, and Class</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Apart-State-America-1960-2010/dp/030745343X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DCZPNV6KXGQ3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vi9JImo0petJbbG1pIIis4G5_jvDZGiViEXKpmFKNdAAQuNL1QGwfDevq5zwh86VvV09gPjwjh3JrsjyzgYMw5eohaIKiXXvPmOjW26R3ZU-ra5OqTSNNbKiCzuy3yKv6ON22DslqhxoBZlkuotpYNRKX5MPeTdLrrBxm_Joe_qGpejYT1EO8BArvYiAbjZsPzSWHqJOf6hmauJVBjU_TxRO9DRFPHKd4n5hSpc-0Yw.nCjVHAtWQUPVPUfWm-blL-2N6T4l5Cd-XdOI9Lr1-kg&dib_tag=se&keywords=coming+apart&qid=1763141221&sprefix=coming+apar%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Charles’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Apart-State-America-1960-2010/dp/030745343X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DCZPNV6KXGQ3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vi9JImo0petJbbG1pIIis4G5_jvDZGiViEXKpmFKNdAAQuNL1QGwfDevq5zwh86VvV09gPjwjh3JrsjyzgYMw5eohaIKiXXvPmOjW26R3ZU-ra5OqTSNNbKiCzuy3yKv6ON22DslqhxoBZlkuotpYNRKX5MPeTdLrrBxm_Joe_qGpejYT1EO8BArvYiAbjZsPzSWHqJOf6hmauJVBjU_TxRO9DRFPHKd4n5hSpc-0Yw.nCjVHAtWQUPVPUfWm-blL-2N6T4l5Cd-XdOI9Lr1-kg&dib_tag=se&keywords=coming+apart&qid=1763141221&sprefix=coming+apar%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Just-Six-Numbers-Forces-Universe/dp/0465036732/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HDPBR4O5I3Q1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RS1EsiK9QPCFW7rdyn1kIrd1N4Nu-IYwsZjj68WXeptRfNkXNL_qwZ-YGOR7N-Z4EYD9G3XDsxja9XmyNrdk-25NjtVUHlcPE7BCeur76BUE5wAL9EluLZHnkequEKQGqC2Kls9YLI7fTrS_Z9Yx5npmmzyJaZ8p6IENNkq8s4a7VaLkLnV6KZ6Pb4lE4HkCrGYs-KlPwg5q1xQ3yHuUa2IEOWSOe3xMJdFWLknwp5I.NJD16xXFHMMffR3UJFyQh96kKlQFXaUBaJl7RrOOkTg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Six+Numbers+book&qid=1763141127&sprefix=six+numbers+book%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Martin Rees’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Just-Six-Numbers-Forces-Universe/dp/0465036732/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HDPBR4O5I3Q1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RS1EsiK9QPCFW7rdyn1kIrd1N4Nu-IYwsZjj68WXeptRfNkXNL_qwZ-YGOR7N-Z4EYD9G3XDsxja9XmyNrdk-25NjtVUHlcPE7BCeur76BUE5wAL9EluLZHnkequEKQGqC2Kls9YLI7fTrS_Z9Yx5npmmzyJaZ8p6IENNkq8s4a7VaLkLnV6KZ6Pb4lE4HkCrGYs-KlPwg5q1xQ3yHuUa2IEOWSOe3xMJdFWLknwp5I.NJD16xXFHMMffR3UJFyQh96kKlQFXaUBaJl7RrOOkTg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Six+Numbers+book&qid=1763141127&sprefix=six+numbers+book%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Just Six Numbers: The Deep Forces That Shape the Universe</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moral-Sense-Free-Press-Paperback/dp/0684833328" target="_blank">James Q. Wilson’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moral-Sense-Free-Press-Paperback/dp/0684833328" target="_blank"><em>The Moral Sense</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22KNAV94FPX1U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QuVDuiOun3kM9BRBMljPBkkrFS_8jCZ9qyTCMTwKZ_TvK0xXeN5gyDwV9mL3Lujkqi2_oSKpGb1xbTkUgvpTuyLp90IzRUUTxf7mUU1qt3-SXEIQX9XzG6_lUDvirLIYaODJ-dgvjdLUq1qB64dKL2_E5s2MrLDP8y0cqsg1INZixzpvvoack_6WjMZFT8BhxNzArJx8HShp2AaCbbrCQOpudXa0bKvl-MYP2p7Pusk.zc1AX-d0dSdu1tSwitG21H_SGNrNnki3h7R6kFW_GDk&dib_tag=se&keywords=CS+Lewis%2C+Mere+Christianity&qid=1763141247&sprefix=cs+lewis%2C+mere+christianity%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1" target="_blank">C.S. Lewis’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22KNAV94FPX1U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QuVDuiOun3kM9BRBMljPBkkrFS_8jCZ9qyTCMTwKZ_TvK0xXeN5gyDwV9mL3Lujkqi2_oSKpGb1xbTkUgvpTuyLp90IzRUUTxf7mUU1qt3-SXEIQX9XzG6_lUDvirLIYaODJ-dgvjdLUq1qB64dKL2_E5s2MrLDP8y0cqsg1INZixzpvvoack_6WjMZFT8BhxNzArJx8HShp2AaCbbrCQOpudXa0bKvl-MYP2p7Pusk.zc1AX-d0dSdu1tSwitG21H_SGNrNnki3h7R6kFW_GDk&dib_tag=se&keywords=CS+Lewis%2C+Mere+Christianity&qid=1763141247&sprefix=cs+lewis%2C+mere+christianity%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Mere Christianity</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Bestselling-Investigation-Experiences/dp/006242890X" target="_blank">Raymond Moody’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Bestselling-Investigation-Experiences/dp/006242890X" target="_blank"><em>Life after Life: A Groundbreaking Exploration of Near-Death Experiences and the Transformative Insights into the Afterlife, Backed by Scientific Study and Personal Testimonies</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blank-Slate-Modern-Denial-Nature/dp/0142003344/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T81A1TGDIBT5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.G4BjCcz6OvEqvEyXJPxbNugdnXwFyP9TEZPlhNxhJEAwOGdThE9BRkdzS22W_zupS6MRO3zqRvHsdwUmDFiRSNftA7OwBq1opphI-SBwdXgLWlu4oRCnC4yPVZNHGxShuERq5Jvj0qdnJuE2-3E_JWx5f1OLoo4rWcdjorAUkqPg-u8vCDKufUokVIEIl2ahK85lRd7z0wGmJUGmlok1Bzu_fvuTy4QpUI97KpFHc0w.HjkEAjMY_ZT6fmh51ROiTkR9T7nVld-GTvApkn5wkrQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Steven+Pinker%2C+The+Blank+Slate&qid=1763141469&sprefix=steven+pinker%2C+the+blank+slate%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Steven Pinker’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blank-Slate-Modern-Denial-Nature/dp/0142003344/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T81A1TGDIBT5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.G4BjCcz6OvEqvEyXJPxbNugdnXwFyP9TEZPlhNxhJEAwOGdThE9BRkdzS22W_zupS6MRO3zqRvHsdwUmDFiRSNftA7OwBq1opphI-SBwdXgLWlu4oRCnC4yPVZNHGxShuERq5Jvj0qdnJuE2-3E_JWx5f1OLoo4rWcdjorAUkqPg-u8vCDKufUokVIEIl2ahK85lRd7z0wGmJUGmlok1Bzu_fvuTy4QpUI97KpFHc0w.HjkEAjMY_ZT6fmh51ROiTkR9T7nVld-GTvApkn5wkrQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Steven+Pinker%2C+The+Blank+Slate&qid=1763141469&sprefix=steven+pinker%2C+the+blank+slate%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature</em></a></p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. 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