Yesterday, a debate took place between Blaze TV host Ally Beth Stuckey and New York Times columnist David French. Both identify as evangelical Christians and conservatives, but they have had disagreements on various topics such as transgender pronouns, gender ideology, and abortion.
Throughout the 95-minute conversation, they approached a subject that has sparked significant criticism of the French perspective from many conservatives.
Here are three key points from their discussion:
Talarico conflict
Ally referenced a piece by French where he lauded Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico as a Christian deserving praise for integrating faith into politics, even likening him to “MAGA Christianity.”
Ally, however, took a strong stance against Talarico’s progressive views, asserting he misrepresents the Bible to justify his positions on abortion, homosexuality, and transgender rights.
French responded firmly, stating, “I would never say that James Talarico is not a Christian.” He continued, pointing out the dysfunction in America’s discussion around Christianity, claiming it’s problematic to exclude individuals from the faith based on political beliefs.
Ally countered, suggesting Talarico’s beliefs extend beyond mere policy positions. “It’s not just a policy standpoint to imply that God is non-dualistic or that transgender individuals require abortion care,” she said, highlighting these as theological concerns.
Given Talarico’s reluctance to “affirm Genesis 1,” Ally remarked that it would be “difficult” for him to authentically identify as a Christian.
Harris vote
Next, Ally brought up French’s 2024 commentary on Kamala Harris. She expressed puzzlement about supporting someone like Harris, especially in light of the Biden Administration’s decision to revoke SNAP benefits for schools that don’t allow biological males to access girls’ facilities.
She also mentioned Harris’s commitment to uphold the framework of Roe v. Wade and to oppose late-term abortion bans. Ally reiterated, “I agree with you on many issues… I can’t support Kamala Harris.”
French, however, emphasized that he prioritizes the conflict in Ukraine above both gender and abortion issues. “For me, I would start a war risking millions of lives. This goes beyond mere concerns,” he argued.
Ally responded to his dismissal of her points, remarking, “I’m not just addressing pronouns.” She elaborated about serious issues, stating, “I’m talking about medical directives leading to the chemical castration of children. Democratic states have also taken children away from parents who don’t support their child’s declared gender.”
Clash of pronouns
Ally pointed out what she viewed as inconsistency in French’s position regarding the use of pronouns. She recalled that he had previously used feminine pronouns for a male colleague—an act perceived by many, including Ally, as conflicting with his earlier insistence that pronouns are tied to biological facts.
“Are you saying we should show pronoun politeness and address individuals by the gender they identify with?” she asked. French claimed he couldn’t recall using feminine pronouns in that instance but reiterated his belief in adhering to truth while also being considerate.
In closing, he stated, “I’m not going to compromise on how to refer to transgender individuals based on their biological sex.” Ally replied, “I don’t think it’s unkind to refer to someone as the gender God made them.” She challenged the idea that accommodating such beliefs—like equating 2+2 to 5—if it leads to mental or physical harm, is acceptable.
Ultimately, their debate highlights a widening rift within evangelical Christianity over issues of truth, empathy, and how to engage with culture. The entire discourse is available for viewing below.
