Suffering, Spirituality & Silly Questions | Dennis AMA
In this hour‑long open‑call episode of the Dennis Prager Show, host Dennis Prager fields a wide array of caller questions ranging from deep existential concerns to light‑hearted curiosities. Callers share personal tragedies—including a mother‑in‑law’s suicide, long‑term sobriety struggles, and financial hardship—seeking comfort and guidance on anger toward God, suffering, and finding happiness. Prager offers theological reflections, citing Harold Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People and his own experiences with faith, emphasizing that God is present in suffering rather than a preventer of it. The discussion shifts to cultural topics: Prager links modern rap’s derogatory language toward women to the feminist movement and the sexual revolution, while another caller defends a feminist perspective on rap. Adoption and birth‑parent searches are debated, with Prager questioning the spiritual necessity of locating biological parents and contrasting genetic versus spiritual ties. A blind caller and Prager discuss disability terminology, advocating person‑first language and critiquing “handicap” as demeaning. The host also shares his favorite vegetables, movies, and comedic preferences, revealing his taste for irreverent humor. Later, Prager declares the current era the “Age of Stupidity,” critiquing contemporary academia’s embrace of political correctness and emotional reasoning over wisdom. Interfaith dialogue surfaces when a Christian caller asks about the Catholic Church versus Protestantism, prompting Prager to discuss Judeo‑Christian heritage and historical misconceptions. Throughout, Prager’s tone oscillates between compassionate counsel, polemical cultural critique, and playful banter, weaving personal anecdotes, religious doctrine, and sociopolitical commentary into a mosaic of modern American discourse.
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Life Audio.
On today's episode of Timeless Wisdom.
How can one get past issues with God if they have some anger issues with God at the moment?
I have a really big problem with you making a correlation between the feminist movement and why derogatory terms towards women are being used in rap songs.
Right.
She has this strong belief that adopted children shouldn't seek out a birth parent.
What is your favorite vegetable?
Russell Sprouts.
That's coming up on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager.
When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Welcome to Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Hear thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses, and classic radio programs. And to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles, go to dennisprager.com.
What is on your mind? Anything you want to ask me about? Anything, anything you want to talk to me about? From my favorite pipe tobacco to the meaning of life to Terry Shivo to the Pope to death to life to life to life. Lechaim. 1-800-PRAGER-776 is the number. 1-800-PRAGER-776. This is the hour. What would you like to talk to me about? What would you like to ask me? Let me get—
let's go here.
Got some very heavy ones here. Hey, you know what? We need some frivolous ones. I mean, so if you have a silly question you want to ask, like, do I like asparagus? I mean, I'm really— I mean, this is a human hour. Is there anything you wonder about? How about— oh, Sean! Sean, digital cameras. Sean wants me to talk about digital cameras for 3 hours. And Sean is hoping that, uh, he is hoping that both of us, uh, go on unemployment insurance. OK, let's, uh, go to, uh, Sacramento and, uh, Keith. Hello, Keith. Dennis Prager.
Oh, hi, Dennis. Um, I just wanted to let you know, uh, my mother-in-law committed suicide about a little over a week ago.
Oh my God. Oh my God.
I was the one that got to discover the body, too.
Oh, how did she kill herself?
Um, she hung herself.
Oh my God.
Yeah, um, but I just want to let you know that when my wife and I were driving back up, uh, from her house, uh, we were listening to your show. My wife found great solace in what you were saying. She's a lapsed Catholic, but, um, it really meant a lot to her, and I just, I just wanted to say thank you.
Oh, that's so sweet of you. Well, if I could do anything to give your wife solace, After that trauma, then for that alone, it's worth my having a radio show. That is a very, very, very difficult trauma to endure. And I'm very happy to hear that. You know, I get— folks, I get letters all the time from people who, after listening to the program for either a short time or a long time, do reconsider the religion that they rejected when they were a child. And it means a great deal to me. And I am very touched by that. That too, that too is important. And, uh, let's see here. Oh yeah, here we go. Uh, well, let's go to, uh, Santa Barbara, California, and Alan. Hello, Alan. Dennis Prager.
Dennis, it's a pleasure to talk to you.
Thank you.
If I could say one thing, you've added joy to my life.
Well, that means a lot to me. Thank you.
Dennis, this may be a whole hour's worth, but the other day I was listening to some old doo-wop songs out of the '50s and '60s and heard songs like Earth Angel, and where women were held in very high esteem. And that being 40 years ago, if I turn on MTV and hear hip-hop and rap where women are hoes and bitches— Dennis, what happened in 40 years?
Wow, that's a great question, and I, I think a one-word answer is feminism. You see, the moment that women said, hey, we're just like you, then men felt no need to have that pedestal or to engage in romantic melody and words, apparently, and just let the lower parts, the natural parts of the male predominate.
Right.
You know, it's very hard if— you see, feminism said, we are not— we don't want to be on any pedestal. We are just like men. You treat us just like men. And so if women are announcing— and obviously not all women, needless to say— but if that's the announcement that the society is making, and feminism took over the schools, that is what is taught from elementary school to high school to college to you. It's what dominates the media. Remember, the women in media are almost by definition going to be women with feminist inclinations. And so if that is all that men see and hear, along with the sexual revolution, which, you know, when I was a kid, and I'm younger than you, but, you know, not by much. And when we were kids, you know, it was like more or less an honor for a girl to let you touch her. Today, you know, it is, you know, she's there to be used. I mean, today, I mean, it is— one reads these things about oral sex being common in the upper middle class and upper class middle schools. You know, this is astonishing. You know, that she will, and it's all one way where she is servicing the boy.
Is this a case of where you get what you ask for?
Well, apparently it is. I mean, I would have to say that it is a case of getting what one asks for. The notion, you see, once men and women are announced as the same, then they're treated similarly. Not equal. Remember, equal is incredibly important to be taught. Same is the problem. And when added, of course, I think, to the sexual revolution, which said that sex is just a physical act, no different from relieving yourself or eating, that has also added to it. I often lament the lyrics. I mean, when I think of the lyrics of the songs that my parents grew up with, you know, the love songs, the, you know, and you're right, and even the rock and roll of the '50s and before the revolution of the later '60s and '70s, and now the lyrics.
And—
oh good, this is important. Let's go to Miami and Jessica. Hello, Jessica. Dennis Prager. Thanks for calling.
Hi.
Hi, how are you?
OK, thanks.
I have a really big problem with you making a correlation between the feminist movement and why derogatory terms towards women are being used in rap songs.
Right.
Um, number one, in the feminist movement, I'm a feminist, um, and I listen to rap music, and I can make a differentiation, and so can any young woman in my family, know that we're not, you know, the terms that are used in there. And to even understand that the people singing these songs are from a completely different socioeconomic, cultural background than myself, one in which, you know, there are members of their families, you know, that are strippers or prostitutes, things like that, that have nothing to do with anything I or anyone around me was raised in.
You know what?
This call is worth an hour. Jessica, there is something called the law of unintended consequences.
Right.
A movement may start and end up with results that it never could have foreseen. That's number one. Number two, what happens is the elite, the highly educated, the affluent come up with ideas, and then the underclass is the one that has the pathological aftereffects of those ideas.
That's right.
So there really— there can be correlations, even though in your family there are none. But even in your— even in the highest cultural—
Would you say most women in your family, most girls, any young girls, Would actually think of themselves in the terms that are being used.
No, no, of course not. Of course not. But, but that's irrelevant because it's not the young girls who were singing those words. It's, it's males who were singing those words. So the question was asked to me, why, uh, 50 years ago were the songs that were sung, uh, and popular among young people so all about loving, uh, loving a girl? And today they are unbelievably demeaning to females. What's happened? So if you—
My answer to that is not the feminist—
All right, what is your answer?
My answer to that is in terms of what record sales are, the people who are in charge of buying, giving record labels—
No, but wait, wait, wait. Jessica, Jessica.
Rap is so popular.
That doesn't make sense because they— They sold incredible numbers of Frank Sinatra records in past generations. It's the taste that has changed and what is acceptable. It's not just the records will sell. Of course they would sell. They wouldn't—
It's about what's acceptable now.
Yes. All right, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Right. So why is it—
It's acceptable for a black man to date a white woman, which would never have been the case before. And there are way more Non-Blacks dating Blacks.
Right, you're right. You're right.
Much more to like the rap industry and all of that. That wasn't popular. Even growing up, like, I wasn't even able to think of that, like, to even see that.
You're right. That's a wonderful development. Interracial dating is a very wonderful— and interracial marriage is a wonderful development.
But I don't know.
I don't know how that's related to the question. As I said, it is worthy of an hour, Jessica. Let me just make clear here. Feminism helped create the sexual revolution. The sexes are the same. Women have sexual desires just like men. Women can have unemotional, uncommitted sex just as enjoyably as men. This message was sent to men: don't open the door for women. You're— it's patronizing. It is, it is acting like we can't even open our own door. Don't, don't pull a chair out for us. Don't do anything like that. Don't treat us to a meal. We are perfectly capable of paying for our own meal. And the message was over and over, it was just drummed into males, a growing generation of males. They have the same sexual desires you do. They are just as happy to have uncommitted, meaningless sex. They objectify sex just as much as male nature does. And those things have had tremendous impact. And it's worth discussing. I really do wish we had more time, Jessica. I'm glad you called, and we should pursue that. Alan, put that down as a subject, and I hope Jessica will call in then too.
This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this.
When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at kcm.org. If there is anything I can do. klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.
Christopher in Minneapolis. Hi, Chris. Dennis Prager.
Pardon me?
Dennis Prager.
Hi. I'm sorry about that, Mr. Prager.
Don't worry.
Don't worry about it. Caught me by surprise there for a second.
I can imagine.
Uh, my name is Christopher. I'm in Minneapolis. And my basic question I will change slightly because it was originally intended for the Happiness Hour, but first let me ask you just a silly question since you were asking for those. What is your favorite vegetable?
Brussels sprouts.
Brussels sprouts? I'm one of the few people who loves Brussels sprouts.
I would imagine that you are.
Yes, but they have to be buttered, however.
Buttered?
Yes, thank you.
Do you prefer them steamed or boiled?
I don't know. I have no idea. Is there a difference?
I don't eat Brussels sprouts, so I don't know.
Okay, no, no. Is there a difference between steamed and boiled? They say— what's the—
I don't—
I, I'm, you know, you can't— you cannot ask me any question of what happens inside the kitchen, only the final product. All right, go ahead.
Uh, my question basically is, uh, how can one find happiness And how can one get past issues with God if they have some anger issues with God at the moment?
Well, those are 2 separate questions, although they're related. Let's begin with the God one. So why are you angry at God?
Well, today, uh, today is my 15th year of sobriety. I celebrate 15 years of sobriety.
Congratulations, that's, that's magnificent.
Thank you very much. Each year in doing that, I sit down and kind of reaffirm my relationship with God and try to move forward. However, in the last several years, I've had many things that have happened that have really kind of made me question where I am with God and why—
For example?
Things continue to happen. I mean, I'm kind of feeling like Job, um, and you know, that all of these things just keep happening, but I, but I kind of keep going on. And lately I've just been feeling really disconnected, and I'm really kind of questioning where that is and why I'm allowed to experience that.
Give me some of the— what are some of the Job-like experiences that you've suffered?
Um, well, I'll say this. Forgive me for stammering here for a moment. Um, I saw you at the event here for the— at the Patriot a few weeks ago, at dinner, and I was the gentleman who came up during dinner and handed you a letter.
Mm-hmm.
I'm not sure if you recall which letter that was.
Well, I— because I am given a fair number of letters, I would have to know the content to remember. Right.
It dealt with a woman that I'm seeing and a tragic event that an estranged man had tried to kill me and then tortured her and, um—
Yes.
And, you know, ended up killing himself there. And, you know, it has obviously created some problems in our relationship, which she has now kind of left to take some time on her own. I now have to file for bankruptcy. I had, a couple years ago, I suffered one of the worst depressions I've had, Where for over a year I couldn't actually, you know, I actually didn't leave my house and lived with the shades drawn. You know, so I've had all— I've had these series of events that have just kind of seemed to keep happening. 15 years ago, I embarked on, you know, a spiritual relationship with God trying to change my life, yet I seem to have all these dark clouds that kind of keep— seem to keep coming in. So in that way, I guess, is why, you know—
Have you read— have you read Harold Kushner's When Bad Things Happen to Good People?
I have not. I'm currently reading Your Happiness Is a Serious Problem.
Right. Well, I'm glad you are, but it doesn't address directly the God issue. And I would recommend that even though I don't agree with some of his suppositions, he has a very— he lost a child, and so he knows suffering. And, you know, it doesn't get Much worse than losing a child.
Right, I've heard you mention that book before.
Yes, and I, in fact, I just had lunch with him this week, so it's ironic. He's a very, very decent man. He will make you realize that God is not there to prevent bad things. God is there when those things happen. for you to know that, that a good God cares and is with you. That's powerful to me. That is exceedingly powerful. But as to being the preventer of these bad things, that's, that's not what God is for. We'll be back in a moment. I'm Dennis Prager.
Dennis, this is Marina from Los Angeles. I've listened to you for a long, long time. I'm so glad I can listen to you at 10 o'clock. I had some questions, but, um, that will have to wait for, uh, another day when I write them down because I have a whole list. Okay, thanks for hanging in there, and we're praying for you. Okay, bye.
Hi, Dennis.
My name is Debbie Fierro-Marrone. I have prayed for you. I know many of us hurt for you. I couldn't believe you came back so strong. I mean, God and your positivity and, you know, great doctors. But I'm listening to you right now, and, um, I'm praying that you get better, Dennis. Bless you, Dennis. Thank you. Keep touching lives.
Are you enjoying Timeless Wisdom? We'd love to hear from you. Call 877-243-7776 and leave a review, share your thoughts, Or just even an encouraging word for Dennis. Your voicemail might just make it on the show. That's 877-243-7776. That's 877-243-7776. Thanks for listening and for your support.
Dennis Prager here, and this is the hour of the week where you ask me anything you would like. And thus far it did include what's my favorite vegetable. It also included a very deep problem of a man angry with God. I have, uh, my view of God has never been that he will, uh, he will take care of me. I, I have to say, it's just not been—
Woo!
Okay.
I think that that's the problem. God disappoints you when you have an expectation of him that is, I don't think, tenable. What was that great movie? Oh man, me and names, I tell you. It has nothing to do with getting older. It was absolutely as true when I was 18. I just— it is— it's— my brother has the same thing, so I know it's somewhat genetic. Oh, that where— oh, Jim Carrey is— gets to be God. Was it with Morgan Freeman?
Mighty Bruce or Bruce Almighty?
Bruce Almighty. It is a brilliant movie, actually. Brilliant. And it shows what happens if God says yes to everybody's requests, the chaos that would ensue. It's a very powerful moment in that film. I get great comfort from the fact that God is there. God— and I believe that God revealed his will. I, you know, I'm religious. That gives me a great deal of comfort. It means that life has meaning and purpose. But I've never— I just never really looked to God to fulfill requests. I've never actually made a personal request of God. Oh, it's not true. I have asked for wisdom. That I have, on a number of occasions. Anyway, let's continue here. Let's go to Minneapolis. And Pete in Minneapolis, this is Dennis Prager.
Hi.
Yes, good afternoon, Dennis.
Yes.
Pleasure to speak with you.
Thank you.
I saw you at R.F. Mohler a couple years ago, and it was a pleasure to see you in person.
Yes, I recall that very well. Thank you.
All righty.
I mean, I recall being at R.F. Mohler. I'm not implying— I don't recall you exactly. I don't want to— I'm not going to patronize you, but I thank you for being there. Go ahead.
You might, because I'm the fellow who greeted you with Baruch haba b'shem Adonai.
Oh yes, that's true. I don't get that greeting very often. That is correct. A biblical Hebrew greeting.
You responded in Hebrew.
Yes.
I didn't—
I don't know enough Hebrew to know what you said. Do you recall what you said to me?
Uh, I probably said, I think your shoelace is untied. I'm not—
say, I have a question. Yes, uh, deeply, uh, religious and spiritual man that you are, uh, I commend you and I admire you immensely. Uh, I'm Christian, uh, but I'm, I'm puzzled, and I see this with a number of Jewish people, yourself included, that you have this strong belief that adopted children shouldn't seek out a birth parent.
Uh-huh.
I'm a little bit puzzled. What is it? Why do you not think that they should? And the reason I'm asking the question is, as a Christian and a spiritual person, it is my belief that there is a connection in the spirit realm, even though that child may never have had any opportunity to see a birth parent or know anything about them, there's still in the spirit realm a connection that can never be severed.
Uh-huh.
Well, I— it's— the truth is, I don't think it's a Jewish or Christian divide on this. I, I think it's truly, uh, a mixture, uh, that— and it's not guided much by Judaism or Christianity. So while I, I absolutely believe, for example, I think that Jews are far more likely to, uh, As soon as they see a person who's single, try to match them up. I think— I believe that there are Jewish traits and Protestant traits and Catholic traits and so on, but I don't think this is one of them. But putting that aside, I don't say that people shouldn't try to find a birth parent. I just am very, very wary about the search and think that if one is Bonded with one's appearance that the search is pointless. Now, I understand the curiosity part. That's a separate issue. People are curious. But let me give you an example. Do you believe that someone who was conceived via artificial insemination from a sperm bank should seek the sperm donor, that they have a spiritual connection?
No.
to somebody who autoerotically ejaculated into a cup?
That's a very, very good question. I don't know if I would, you know, say that I would encourage somebody to seek out—
But why is that any different? Why is that any different?
Well, let me qualify it just a little bit. But I would say that Let's say that I was a product of that.
Yes?
I would like to know the spiritual heritage.
But it's not spiritual. It's not a spiritual heritage. It's a sperm heritage.
It's genetics, Dennis.
Well, genetics is— no, no, I don't— this notion that genetics and spirit are connected is a new one to me, and it's certainly not a religious idea. The whole spiritual idea transcends genes, transcends the physical. That's the brilliance of the spiritual, is that it is not rooted in the physical. So I, you know, if I— that's what I would ask people who think that there is this major importance in finding out who a birth father or birth mother is. Well, do you feel that way about a sperm donor? It's the same thing. There's no difference. You want to know whose semen it was, and you want to know whose egg it was. What if it's an implanted egg from another woman? Is the egg donor a spiritual connection? So I believe that the vast majority of searches are done, except for those where there is just intense intellectual curiosity, but I think the vast majority are done because one is seeking Some, something that they feel that they are missing when in fact they are not. Or maybe they really are missing. Maybe they're not bonded with their parents and they think, ah, I'll have the bond with my, with the, with my birth mother that I just didn't have with my mother. Or I'll have a bond with a birth father that I didn't have with my father. Or there was great happiness to be found there in the, in this new family that I will discover. Uh, at the end of this search. But, uh, uh, and, and interestingly, overwhelmingly it is females who go on this search because females believe, uh, that there is the— there is this great bond between, uh, carrying, uh, and, and, uh, and between carrying and, and, and, and the baby or the offspring. No, I am a big believer in love and values. I have a very powerful story, a very powerful story to make my point, and I will as soon as we return and take more calls. We'll be back in a moment. 1-800-PRAGER-776. Pete, I'm very pleased that you called, and we shall return. You are listening to the Open Hour on The Dennis Prager Show.
Okay.
Uh, let's go to, uh, Miami. Miami and a rabbi, Rabbi Rafi. Hello, Rabbi Rafi, Dennis Prager.
Hi, Dennis Prager.
Hi.
Um, first of all, I'm so happy that we finally get you down here in Miami.
Not happier than I. Thank you so much.
I really, really love your show and I love listening to everything you have to say.
Thank you. What denomination are you?
I'm Orthodox.
Great, thank you for calling.
And, um, although I don't disagree with some of the psychology that you were mentioning regarding the, um, looking for adoptive parents—
You mean for birth parents?
Yeah, for birth parents.
Thank you, that's right.
Um, I'm not sure that I agree with you completely regarding the, uh, the, the fact that there's no spiritual relationship. I think that the, uh, the spiritual and the physical are very, very much united, and because of that I think that there may be a very strong spiritual relationship with somebody, even if they haven't raised you.
Well, let me ask you the question I asked the earlier caller. Would you hold that for a sperm donor?
Absolutely.
Hmm.
Without even thinking about it. I mean, thinking about it, of course.
Now, and is that— do you see, do you have that because you feel that strongly as a person, or do you have that from your religious roots?
No, it's from my understanding of my religious roots.
Well, I have written on this from the religious standpoint as well as from the psychological and others, and I offer you a very— 2 very interesting facts that I know you're aware of, but I want to present to you. One is that the Jewish tradition, in fact even the Tanakh, the Bible, the Old Testament, actually holds That the, the mother of Moses is the daughter of Pharaoh. Batya is the name given. I mean, that is a very powerful thing because she— he wasn't even given away at birth.
No, no, no.
But, but, but so, so here we have the daughter of Pharaoh regarded by Jewish tradition and the Bible as Moses's mother. Second, uh, when, when the Jewish people speak about the, uh, the matriarchs Uh, we speak of 4 matriarchs, correct? Okay, uh, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah. Yet the 12 tribes also come from Bilhah and Zilpah. Why aren't they mentioned as the matriarchs if who gives birth is so important?
It's, it's an excellent question, and I definitely do not disagree that the person who raises you in many ways is considered to be your parent.
Well, in every way, as I understand the Jewish tradition, in every way.
No, well, you know, one of the big problems that modern Jewish law is dealing with when it deals with a lot of the new technology in terms of creating children is exactly that problem: who's considered the actual And so in terms of Jewish law and as well as Jewish mysticism, there's a lot to say that there's still a very strong relationship with the physical, the actual birth parent, even if that relationship was not necessarily nurtured.
Well, not only, not only not nurtured, in the case of the sperm donor, it was an anonymous ejaculation.
Anonymous ejaculation or not, I think that there's still a relationship.
Okay, listen, that's why I always say that so much of religion is through the eyes of those interpreting it. I'm honored that you listen, Rabbi Raffi, and I'm honored that you called. Send me an email. I'd like to know who you are. We'll be back in a moment. Anything on your mind this hour of the Dennis Prager Show? 1-800-PRAGER-7766. This is, of course, The Dennis Prager Show. All righty, everybody, you're listening to The Dennis Prager Show, 1-800-PRAGER-776. And let's, let's continue here with whatever is on your mind. That's what the hour is about, whatever is on your mind. Kyle, Kyle in Dallas. Dennis Prager, hi.
Hey, how are you today, Dennis?
Okay, thanks for calling.
Yeah, listen, uh, not to beat a dead horse or anything, I've been listening to the program, uh, the last, uh, hour or so, and I actually disagree with the use of the term handicap, and I'll, I'll tell you why. I myself am blind, uh, and I, uh, the more appropriate term that's used these days since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act is Disabled. And there's actually a movement that was put forth that says that you should use person-first terminology, meaning you would— like, in the instance of myself, if you refer to me, you would say, he is a man who is blind, or that is a person who has multiple sclerosis, or who is disabled.
I like that. I hate political correctness, but this to me is is enhancing human dignity. And I, you see, we have a problem in English, and that is it's one of the only languages whose adjectives precede the noun.
Uh-huh.
In most languages, the adjective comes after the noun, and so they don't have any problem. They would say a person who is blind.
Right.
Whereas we have, oh, he's a blind man, as opposed to a man who is blind.
Right.
And so what happens is, the first thing you hear about someone is that they're blind, not that they're a man who happens to be blind.
And that causes you to focus on the disability and not on the person.
Yes, I have no problem with that. That is correct.
I was explaining to Eva that handicap actually Crippled is an old, dated word that comes from World War II. It actually infers that the person is begging. They have a cap in hand and they're asking for handouts and whatnot.
Oh, I see.
That's interesting.
Well, yeah, disabled. I guess disabled is better. But you see, ironically, the gentleman who objected to my use of the word crippled, I was describing me.
Yes.
Yes, and I had to tell you— And to this moment, I can't think of a good word. I was explaining how my disc problem caused me so much pain that I said it crippled me, or I felt— or I was crippled. I don't remember the exact terminology. I can't say I was disabled. No, no.
I think this is where political correctness goes overboard.
That's right. In that case. But I never go and say, oh, so-and-so, he's crippled.
Correct.
No, that's different. I was describing me in a certain circumstance.
Right.
Anyway, I'm very glad— you're blind, right?
Yes, sir.
Let me ask you, are you blind from birth?
Yeah, well, from very young, about 4 months old, I was burned. My parents' house caught on fire and my eyes were burned as a result of the fire, so practically from birth, yes.
Right.
Do you have any recollection of anything that you saw?
No.
No, no. So it's for all intents and purposes— You know, I'm always— I have tremendous curiosity, and I don't mean the usual, which is normal for people to wonder what it's like to be something else. Everybody wonders.
Sure.
But I've always— there are a few things that I've always wanted, and I may do an hour on the perceptions of people who are blind of various things versus ours, because I think in some ways— I know some ways you have heightened responses in terms of hearing and smell, for example.
Right. Those senses become more sensitive.
Right.
Let me ask you, this is one of those that I've always— the word color, does that mean anything to you?
Color? Um, well, it, you know, it has meaning. Um, you know, I can appreciate that something is a different color. Um, you know, of course I don't know, like, you know, the color red from the color blue or whatever. I don't in my mind picture that. However, you know, I can, I can understand that something is different Uh, you know, in the same way that textures are different, you know, fuzzy is different than smooth and, uh—
Right, but here's the question. Does the— you see, here's what I always wonder though. Does— when, when you see, we, those of us who can see, have a sense that you don't have, correct?
Yes.
Okay, now I'm imagining, let us say somebody had a sense that I don't have. I can't imagine in any way Imagining what it did. Can you imagine what it's like to see?
Um, no, not exactly. I imagine, like, for example, when I dream, I dream in shapes, and not, not shapes that you see, but I dream in, like, perceptions as if I were awake. Like, I can, I can perceive what it's like to walk around my house.
Right, of course, of course.
And whatnot.
So, well, listen, I got to take a break, but Kyle, I'm thrilled that you called. Thank you, and thanks for listening.
Thanks.
And yes, some of my books are on tape. I know you wanted to know about that. We'll be back.
This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this.
When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.
Alrighty, everybody, you're listening to the Dennis Prager Show, and this is the hour where you call in on anything on your mind, anything you'd like to ask me about. And a number of you just abandoned calls, so, well, we've got full again. But, and let's go to some more of your calls here. Nelson in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Dennis Prager, hi. Hello, Dennis.
Hello, Mr. Prager.
Hi.
Enjoy listening to you.
Thank you.
Do you draw a distinction between the Christian church and, let's say, the Catholic church that the Jews and Christians suffered under during the Inquisitions?
You mean, you mean, you mean Jews and Protestants?
Well, I—
well, the Protestants didn't come till after the Inquisition, but you— is that what you're referring to?
Yes, I heard— I think you were speaking to her about that. You, you like living in a A Christian society, I guess.
Oh, I, I— there, I have many answers to this, and I'll try to be very succinct. I believe that American Christians have created something new, uh, in Christian history and in world history, something particularly extraordinarily good. And it is not coincidental that the Christians of this country have so often used the term Judeo-Christian. This was a very Judeo-based Christianity that was formed in this country, beginning with a quote from the Torah on the Liberty Bell. In fact, beginning earlier than that, the preoccupation with studying Hebrew, for example, which, which was not— you never found anything near that in all the years of European Christian history.
Well, may I make a point about that?
Yeah.
And my point simply would be, as a Christian, And I'm talking about as a biblically based, born-again believer, not a going-by-the-name Christian. That it's not something new that has been created in this country, but it's simply the fact that the Christian church, true Christian church, reemerged after Catholicism took it into the Dark Ages.
Well, let me say a word.
There was very little true Christianity in the world during that time.
Well, let me say on behalf of the Catholic Church, though, That, uh, it's very interesting you should mention that. I want you to read a book. I announced already that this was one of the most important books of my life, and I'm reading it now. I'm in the middle of it. I'm on page 159 because I'm reading every page 4 times. Not because it's hard, because I want to memorize it. The, uh, For the Glory of God. Uh, and, and he, uh, he's a professor who wrote this. And, uh, he points out that there's been a lot of propaganda against the Catholic Church, and he's not a Catholic.
Mm-hmm.
A lot of propaganda, for example, the term the Dark Ages, he said it's nonsense. He says there were no Dark Ages. There was tremendous amount of learning and creativity going on during the so-called Dark Ages, but it's a term that Protestants felt happy to use to defame the Catholic Church. Now, listen, He goes through a series of shenanigans and corruption in the Catholic Church in the course of hundreds of years, which is actually almost funny, it is so pathetic. How, in fact, there were popes who had brothels. Not only didn't they remain celibate, they had brothels set up in the Vatican. I mean, so one does not have to— this guy is not here to whitewash Catholic history. But he is here to give credit where it is due, and the Catholic Church made a better world in many ways. So, and for me, a Jew, in any event, I'm never going to take the position, who's the real Christian?
Oh, you don't have to. I'm not asking you to do that. But within Christianity, we do have that right. But my problem, and I've got plenty of Catholic friends, I don't mean this to be bashing the church, but the reason why I say this, most of the people killed during the Inquisitions were Christians that did not agree with Catholicism. I mean, they were killed by the church itself.
Oh yeah, dissenters. Yeah, well, right.
But they dissented because of— they biblically dissented. That's the difference.
That's true. He points that out. That is true. But you know what? Any group that has total power is going to have corruption. Total power corrupts. Totally. It's Lord Acton.
Well, as a Christian, I can say Jews are always welcome anywhere I am.
Well—
So you are correct, Jews and others can flourish in this society—
Right.
Because Christianity, even though, you know, if I were meeting you face to face, I would certainly have no qualms in discussing these things with you—
Oh, I know that, I know.
I would never attempt to force you—
Oh, I know that. Oh, God knows. I mean, I, I, uh, I know that. That's why I'm in the vanguard of working this new Jewish-Christian alliance that I believe will change history. I thank you for your call. And in that alliance will be many Catholics. I mean, there's no question. I'm really glad that you called. Alrighty, Paul. I'm gonna let Paul go. One of my 3 top drama movie choices and top 3 comedy, actually. I don't know on the drama. I would have to consult with Alan, who's a professor at the American Film Institute. Comedy? That's a good one. I love funny. The movies that make me laugh, I'll give you some off the top of my head. I want you to know I have tremendous respect for people who can make me laugh. So I'll put him on actually. Paul, I'll give you the comedy one, okay? Paul in Granada Hills, California, are you there?
Mm-hmm.
Hi, Dennis.
How are you?
Hi. Okay. I want to— you're asking about my top 3 drama, top 3 comedy. I was saying I have— I don't know the drama. I'd have to think of that at length. But hold on and I will give you some comedy. I was saying that I have tremendous regard respect for the achievement of making me laugh. I think it's harder to do comedy than it is to do drama. It's easy to make a viewer cry. Just have a character they love die and people cry. But to make people laugh, that's difficult. So I'm gonna think up some of the ones that really make me laugh, and I'll tell them to you when we come back.
This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue Right after this.
When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, and practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom.
Alrighty, my friends, this is the hour of the week. Anything on your mind? Dennis Prager here, and back to you, Paul, in Granada Hills, California. Uh, yeah. Now you're asking my favorite 3 drama, favorite 3 comedy. Let me give you the comedy. I have to think through the drama much more, and I, I have seen a greater proportion of funny movies than I have of other movies because there are so few really funny movies. All right, are you ready?
Ready.
Okay, uh, this is not in order of, of importance, uh, but these films truly make me laugh. And for some listeners, I will undoubtedly go down in their estimation, but so be it. Rat Race makes me laugh out loud. In fact, it made me laugh so much, Rat Race, and I've seen it so often that I actually had the producer Jerry Zucker on the show to ask him why it wasn't one of the top-grossing films of history. Because I thought it ought to be. So if people want to laugh— I would be interested to know if someone saw it and didn't laugh. I mean, you know, there's no accounting for taste. I know that. But I just, I think the thing is a riot. Now remember, I love irreverent humor. You must understand that. I love dark humor. I love irreverent humor. There are people who do not. It makes them a little queasy. So you need to know that about me. Another one is the 2 films of Monty Python that absolutely make me laugh out loud, and that is The Holy Grail and Life of Brian. Now, I do want to warn listeners that Life of Brian is in fact an irreverent takeoff on, on the story of Jesus. But if you understand that there is no insult meant whatsoever Uh, it's just a crack-up, then I think one can deal with it. Uh, but those are truly— are you familiar with them at all?
No, I'm not. And I, I've seen Rat Race, and it is obviously a great movie.
Great movie.
Okay, here's one that you probably didn't see that I find very funny, and that is Bedazzled. Bedazzled, uh, actually is now, uh, it, it was first released in the '70s And now has been redone a few years ago. And it is, uh, it is about making 7 wishes, uh, with the devil, selling your soul for 7 wishes and what happens. It's very well done and very funny. I, I don't remember the old version, which was excellent. When did that come out? Yeah, Dudley Moore was in the first one. Who was the guy in the, in, in this one? Yeah, Brendan Fraser. He is excellent, excellent. And who's the, uh—
Elizabeth Hurley.
Elizabeth Hurley is the devil. Yes, who's also excellent. So that's another one. Another, another one. Well, I was gonna do Woody Allen, but I think Bananas, which made me laugh many times, uh, when it came out, is, is dated for today, so I'm not putting it on the list. Oh good, I'm glad you do. I think it's hilarious. The next one is What About Bob? Are you familiar with What About Bob?
No.
Okay. Do you know any comedies other than Rat Race?
Yeah, I've watched many of the Woody Allen films and I thought Bananas was certainly—
Oh yeah, no, absolutely. Bananas is very good. And if it's not dated for the viewer, they'll crack up. Absolutely. What About Bob is with— who's in What About Bob? Oh, Bill Murray. Bill Murray is the patient. That's correct. It is. That's a very— it's a dark, hilarious movie, What About Bob? So, all right. So you let me know how you react to those. Okay, Paul?
I will.
Thank you very much.
All right.
Thank you very much. By the way, I would love to know— oh, Liar Liar. I had Liar Liar on also. But Liar Liar is almost a great movie, in fact. But it is more— well, it is serious. It has a serious message.
Tomorrow on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager.
My subject today is why I call the age in which we live the age of stupidity. You know, there are many eras. There was the Renaissance, there was the Age of Reason, there was what was called the Enlightenment, and the Romantic Age. There were all sorts of periods in Western history. We now live in the Age of Stupidity. And this is not meant as a funny line, a throwaway line, or anything like that. It is, it is, we do live, and I will try to make my case, I will give you idea after idea that has permeated the intellectual life, and especially the intellectual life of Western society in the last 40 years or so, ushered in by the baby boomers, as they're called. Although they had to pick up these ideas from people who lived before them, they didn't manufacture them. So these are not brand new ideas, but they blossomed in Uh, the baby boomer generation.
One reason I love your show is that you're always so precise with language. So I was kind of curious as to why you use the word stupidity instead of just saying the age of the unwise or something like that.
Because it would have no, uh, it would have no meaning for most people. Wisdom is not even a value that my generation held. It is so— it, it— so what? So unwise? Oh, big deal. It doesn't mean— it means nothing. It would mean something to people who value wisdom. But my generation and the universities don't value wisdom. They value politically correct positions and they value emotion. How does your heart feel about it? Which is the antithesis of wisdom. So the age of unwisdom is almost like saying the age of non-chiropractic. It, it, it just has no meaning.
Join us tomorrow to hear more on Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Visit DennisPrager.com for thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses, and classic radio programs, and to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles. We want to take just a second to thank the team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on the podcast. Go to lifeaudio.com to find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network, including shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.
When someone you love is hurting, what do you do? We're often quick to say, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. But what if we stopped waiting to be asked and simply showed up? On the If There Is Anything I Can Do podcast, Pam McConnell shares real stories, biblical wisdom, And practical ways to walk alongside people through grief, loss, and life's hardest moments. Learn how to show up and make a difference. Subscribe now at klovpodcast.com, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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