Being perfectly honest, I don’t know a great deal about Candace Owens or Ben Shapiro personally. I’m older than both of them, and to be fair, I was never interested in echo chambers that merely reinforced my own Judeo-Christian values. That’s one of the reasons I gravitated more toward people like Charlie Kirk—because he was willing to step outside his comfort zone to engage ideas, not just repeat them.
That said, I believe Candace Owens is one of the most talented and fearless podcasters in the world. She once worked with Ben Shapiro at The Daily Wire, and some now say she’s surpassed him in influence. Ben Shapiro, for his part, is a devout practitioner of Modern Orthodox Judaism, meaning he strictly observes Jewish law—the Torah, Sabbath, and kosher dietary traditions—while remaining fully engaged in modern life and politics. He often references the Torah and Hebrew scripture when discussing morality, truth, and the preservation of Western civilization.
Censorship: The Differences Between Modern Orthodox Judaism and Protestant Christianity
As Christians, and as followers of Yeshua (Jesus), who was Himself Jewish, we are called to be patient with our Jewish family. After all, our Bible is deeply rooted in Jewish culture and tradition. From a Jewish cultural perspective, Jesus could easily be viewed as a rebel—someone who challenged man-made traditions in pursuit of divine truth.
To put it another way, imagine if modern America’s “white culture” tried to hijack Black American culture and then lectured Black Americans on how to interpret Martin Luther King Jr.’s message. Some might agree; others would push back, saying, “Stop hijacking our culture and telling us how to live it.” That’s similar to how some Jews might perceive Christians who insist on interpreting Jewish heritage through a Christian lens.
When Jesus spoke in parables, His message carried a universal tone of love—for both Jews and Gentiles. Yet, throughout history, both groups have struggled with censorship: the tendency to say, “You shouldn’t say that because…” followed by a reason rooted in politics, sensitivity, or tradition.
In Jewish culture, competition and intellectual debate are highly valued. However, within that environment, some individuals build artificial boundaries around what can and cannot be said. This tension connects deeply to two powerful cultural concepts: Chutzpah and Tzedakah.
Chutzpah literally means boldness, audacity, or nerve—often describing someone who behaves with extraordinary confidence, sometimes to the point of shamelessness or disrespect.
Tzedakah means righteousness or justice, though it’s most often translated as charity. In Jewish teaching, Tzedakah is not optional generosity—it’s a moral obligation to do justice by helping those in need.
Faith Without Fear
As Christians, when we become aware of truth, we tend to push it to the extreme—because we know how great our God is. Trying to control that divine fire is impossible. Around the world, Christians suffer and die for their faith, and yet many believers remain at peace because they already have Christ. We’re not waiting for a future earthly king from David’s line to rebuild the Temple; our King has already come.
For us, Scripture is peace—it is living water. What Jesus left us is more than enough to bring peace to the world. Our mission is maintenance: to continually spread His glorious name in as many creative and innovative ways as the Holy Spirit reveals.
When Jesus said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,” He was declaring spiritual freedom—no censorship, no hierarchy of human control. Just as our Jewish family values boldness and learning, we as Christians are called to be rugged individuals for Christ. God’s flock is vast, and history shows that Jews were often blessed through non-Jews who acted in obedience to God’s will.
Candace Owens vs. Ben Shapiro: A Family Disagreement
So even if Candace Owens says things that Ben Shapiro dislikes, the deeper question is why she says them. Is she doing it for Christ or for popularity? That’s between her and God. It’s not my place—or anyone’s—to judge her heart.
Some point out that Owens’ star is rising while Shapiro’s influence has stabilized. Perhaps—but Ben Shapiro is a Harvard-educated lawyer, a bestselling author, and a highly successful media entrepreneur. He’ll be just fine.
What we can learn from our Jewish brothers and sisters is their remarkable dedication to raising and educating their children in the faith. Many Jewish families excel at passing on moral structure, study habits, and reverence for Scripture. That’s something every Christian parent can admire and emulate.
Freedom, Debate, and Respect
This debate between Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro isn’t something to fear—it’s a sign of health. I’m thankful that Owens landed on her feet and continues to speak boldly. I haven’t agreed with everything she’s said about Israel, but she has every right to say it.
Ironically, some radical leftists probably cheer her positions on Israel, and that may even boost her numbers. But that’s part of the beauty of Christianity: we’re not centralized, and we don’t all have to sound the same. Each believer answers directly to God, not to a human hierarchy.
Candace Owens’ motivations are ultimately between her and the Lord. My responsibility is to make sure I am right with God. It’s not my role to judge anyone else’s journey.
A Prayer for Our Jewish Family
I love my Jewish family, and I sincerely hope they take a deeper look into their brother Yeshua, who loves them dearly. They don’t need to abandon their culture to find Him—He was born from it. But I do pray that the heavy restrictions of tradition won’t keep them from discovering the freedom and rest that Christ offers.
As people of the Book, we must never stop debating or seeking truth. Our God is too great for silence—He deserves our ongoing questions, our honest dialogue, and our endless praise.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.
