Podcast Summary: Conversations With Coleman – "Can You Marry Across the Religious Divide?" featuring Josh Hammer

Episode Details:

• Title: Can You Marry Across the Religious Divide?
• Host: Coleman Hughes
• Guest: Josh Hammer
• Release Date: July 14, 2025
• Publisher: The Free Press

1. Introduction to Josh Hammer and His Book

Coleman Hughes welcomes Josh Hammer, an American political commentator, attorney, and columnist, to discuss Hammer's new book, Israel and Civilization. The focus of their conversation revolves around their mutual agreements on Israel-related issues and their disagreements, particularly concerning Judaism’s special status and the ethics of religious intermarriage.

Notable Quote:

• Coleman Hughes [00:00]: "So without further ado, Josh Hammer."

2. Josh Hammer’s Perspective on Judaism and Western Civilization

Hammer shares his background, highlighting his transition from a secular Jewish upbringing to a more observant and religious life over the past decade. He emphasizes Judaism's foundational role in monotheism and its significant influence on Western civilization.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [02:52]: "The Jewish people gave monotheism to the world, and the fate of that original nation should have some greater bearing than this tiny statistical minority might otherwise entail."

3. Monotheism vs. Paganism: Defining the Difference

Coleman Hughes challenges Hammer's view by questioning the fundamental differences between monotheism and paganism. He suggests that the moral value of a religion should be judged by its teachings rather than the number of gods it worships.

Notable Quote:

• Coleman Hughes [07:38]: "I fail to see a massive difference in principle between paganism and monotheism."

Hammer responds by shifting the discussion to the practical implications of monotheistic scriptures, using Genesis 1:27 to illustrate how Judaism has shaped western moral imperatives.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [09:00]: "Genesis 1:27 is really the singular underlying moral imperative for all of Western civilization."

4. The Bible’s Influence on Western Values

Hammer argues that biblical principles, such as being made in the divine image and the protection of private property rights, have profoundly influenced Western legal and moral frameworks. He contends that these values are foundational to concepts like equality and economic prosperity.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [10:30]: "Private property rights are all throughout the Bible... the modern notion of private property rights is kind of downstream of the Bible as well."

5. Diverging Views on Secularism and Religion in Morality

Coleman Hughes responds by acknowledging the biblical influence while asserting that the Enlightenment and other secular ideas also significantly shaped Western society. He emphasizes that various cultures without Judeo-Christian roots have developed strong property rights independently.

Notable Quote:

• Coleman Hughes [14:44]: "The founding fathers existed at the high point of the Enlightenment, which took aspects of Christianity, rejected others..."

6. The Role of Reason and Faith in Moral Judgments

Hughes presents his atheist perspective, arguing that moral judgments can be grounded in human flourishing without relying on divine authority. He challenges the necessity of faith for objective morality.

Notable Quote:

• Coleman Hughes [20:47]: "I find it easy to believe that there is such a thing as right and there's such a thing as wrong... without a God giving me permission to do that."

Hammer counters by asserting that without a divine foundation, moral reasoning remains subjective. He uses historical examples like the Holocaust to illustrate the necessity of an external moral authority.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [23:58]: "Unless there is at least some sort of recourse to something other than our own subjective morality... you struggle to discern right from wrong."

7. The Holocaust and Jewish Identity

The discussion delves into how events like the Holocaust shape Jewish identity and attitudes towards intermarriage. Hammer expresses concern that relying solely on historical trauma to motivate Jewish continuity may not be as effective as emphasizing the importance of Jewish teachings and values.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [31:17]: "If there had been a very simple 'thou shalt not own a fellow human being as a slave' provision, then the entire history of slavery is different."

8. The Ethics of Religious Intermarriage

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the implications of Jews marrying non-Jews. Hammer argues that marrying within the faith helps preserve Jewish identity and values, while Hughes advocates for individual freedom and the potential for non-Jewish spouses to embrace Jewish traditions.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Hammer [48:54]: "If you think that Judaism has something important to teach the world, then you want to strengthen and fortify the Jewish people, and the easiest way is to marry fellow Jews."
• Coleman Hughes [56:29]: "Excluding people on the basis of religion before getting to know them... is the wrong approach."

9. American Christianity and Anti-Semitism

Hughes raises a critical question about why American Christianity historically avoided the deep-seated anti-Semitism prevalent in European Christianity. Hammer responds by tracing American Christianity’s positive engagement with Jewish traditions and its foundational role in promoting religious liberty and moral values.

Notable Quotes:

• Coleman Hughes [43:39]: "Why did European Christianity embrace anti-Semitism so deeply, while American Christianity largely resisted it?"
• Josh Hammer [47:44]: "America was conceived as a new Israel, viewing itself through the Old Testament narrative, which fostered a positive relationship with Judaism."

10. US Military and Economic Aid to Israel

Towards the end of the episode, the duo discusses US aid to Israel. Hammer advocates for reducing military aid to promote Israel's independence, arguing that current aid structures undermine Zionism and create dependencies influenced by defense contractor interests.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [75:11]: "I would like to see a plan to unwind this foreign aid arrangement... it ultimately does more harm than good."

Hughes expresses concern that cutting aid could embolden Israel’s adversaries, such as Hamas and Iran, undermining regional stability and Israel’s security.

Notable Quote:

• Coleman Hughes [78:45]: "If aid is cut, enemies like Hamas and Iran will celebrate, believing their strategy of terror has succeeded."

11. Final Thoughts and Book Promotion

In closing, Josh Hammer reiterates the purpose of his book, Israel and Civilization – The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West, and provides his contact information for listeners interested in his work.

Notable Quote:

• Josh Hammer [81:10]: "The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever books are sold."

Conclusion: This episode of Conversations With Coleman features a deep and nuanced exchange between Coleman Hughes and Josh Hammer on the intersection of Judaism, Western civilization, and the ethical considerations surrounding interfaith marriage. The discussion highlights differing perspectives on the role of religion in shaping moral values, the preservation of Jewish identity, and the implications of US foreign policy towards Israel. Through their conversation, listeners gain insight into the complexities of maintaining cultural and religious heritage in a modern, secular world.