Are We Better Off Divided? | David French & Angela Simms
March 23, 2021

The Veritas Forum
In the aftermath of a contentious election season, we may find ourselves questioning the future of a nation that seems irreparably divided. We may ask questions such as, “is political and/or social unity possible or even desirable?” and, “if unity is desirable, what is the best pathway to that unity?” • Attorney, author, and political commentator, David French, discusses this topic with assistant professor of Sociology and Urban Studies at Barnard College, Angela Simms. Presented by the Veritas Forum at Columbia University. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast.
More From The Veritas Forum

The Pursuit of Wholeness: Perspectives on God, Self, and Mental Health
The Veritas Forum
March 30, 2021
Perspectives on mental health and existing as a whole person from Dr. David Carreon of Stanford and Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan of the University of Mon

Mathematics for Human Flourishing | Francis Su & Mia Chung-Yee
The Veritas Forum
April 6, 2021
For many people, math is cold and lifeless, a bunch of rules to follow---a way to separate people rather than a way to bring them together. It’s no wo

Should Some Books Not Be Read? | Dhananjay Jagannathan & Tara Isabella Burton
The Veritas Forum
April 13, 2021
The Veritas Forum at Columbia presents a discussion on the moral power of literature. A conversation between Columbia Philosophy Professor Dr. Dhananj

Music Making as a Picture of Human Flourishing | Mia Chung-Yee
The Veritas Forum
March 16, 2021
Octet Collaborative’s founder and board chair Mia Chung-Yee, an accomplished concert pianist and professor of musical studies, spoke to students at Ca

Shame & Spirituality: Living as a Whole Person in a Disembodied World | Curt Thompson
The Veritas Forum
March 9, 2021
Psychiatrist Curt Thompson, M.D. addresses the role of shame in our mental and spiritual lives. Presented by the Veritas Forum at Harvard University •

Human Identity and the Meaning of Artificial Intelligence | Joshua Swamidass
The Veritas Forum
March 2, 2021
A Conversation with a Secular Humanist, Jurist and Law Professor, Ryan Calo, and a Christian, Scientist and Bioengineer Professor, Josh Swamidass, abo
More on OpenTheo

How Can We Know Who Is Teaching the Same Gospel Paul Taught?
#STRask
February 16, 2026
Questions about how we can know who is teaching the same gospel Paul taught, and whether or not Jeremiah 1:5 supports the idea that we pre-existed in

Could the Writers of Scripture Have Been Influenced by Their Fallen Nature?
#STRask
October 23, 2025
Questions about whether or not it’s reasonable to worry that some of our current doctrines were influenced by the fallen nature of the apostles, and h

What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?
#STRask
January 19, 2026
Questions about whether there’s an issue with churches advertising on social media, whether it’s weird if we pray along with a YouTuber, and whether C

Does God Really Need a “Pound of Flesh” to Forgive Sins?
#STRask
January 12, 2026
Questions about how to answer the challenge that God doesn’t need a “pound of flesh” to forgive sins but can simply forgive, and whether the claim in

Is It a Sin to Feel Let Down by God?
#STRask
November 6, 2025
Questions about whether it’s a sin to feel let down by God and whether it would be easier to have a personal relationship with a rock than with a God

Why Is It Necessary to Believe Jesus Is God?
#STRask
February 19, 2026
Questions about why it’s necessary to believe Jesus is God, whether belief in the Trinity is required for salvation, and why one has to believe in the

How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
#STRask
November 17, 2025
Questions about how to convince someone that evil exists, whether Charlie Kirk’s murder was part of God’s plan, whether that would mean the murderer d

How Should I Respond to an LGBTQ Person Who Says He Feels Good About Who He Is?
#STRask
March 2, 2026
Questions about responding to an LGBTQ person who says he feels good about who he is, and whether—since we all have sin in our life we don’t consider

What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
#STRask
December 22, 2025
Questions about what will happen to those who never heard of Jesus or were brought up in a different faith, whether there’s biblical warrant to think

How Can I Explain Modesty to My Daughter?
#STRask
November 27, 2025
Questions about how to explain modesty to a nine-year-old in a way that won’t cause shame about her body, and when and how to tell a child about a pre

Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?
#STRask
December 11, 2025
Questions about whether references to demon possessions and exorcisms in the New Testament are literal, how to talk to young children about ghosts, an

Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
#STRask
November 13, 2025
Question about why it seems like the Bible teaches you how to be a proper slave owner rather than than saying, “Stop it. Give them freedom.”
* It s

Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
#STRask
November 24, 2025
Questions about why we say someone was saved on a particular date if it was part of an eternal plan, the Roman Catholic view of the gospel vs. the Bib

Prove to Me That Jesus Is Not a Created Being
#STRask
January 26, 2026
Questions about why we should think Jesus is not a created being, and what it means to say God became fully human if part of being human means not bei

The Resurrection Standoff: Licona vs. Ehrman on the Unbelievable Podcast
Risen Jesus
October 22, 2025
This episode is taken from the Unbelievable podcast with Justin Brierly in 2011 when Dr. Bart Ehrman and Dr. Michael Licona address the question: Is t
