Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry Taking the culture war seriously | Maiden Mother Matriarch 181
Jan 18, 2026
George Owers, a historian and author, delves into the Whig-Tory divide that shaped modern Britain and echoes through today's culture wars. He traces political conflicts back to the 17th century, highlighting religious tensions and their influence on contemporary issues like education and abortion. Owers argues that modern identity politics resemble sacred beliefs, fueling societal conflict. He also illustrates how political elites' personalities influence cultural shifts and warns against the myth of a neutral state, revealing the persistent tension between various ideologies.
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No Clear Church–State Separation
- Early modern English people saw church and state as one integrated order with little secular-religious separation.
- That fusion made political disputes simultaneously theological and constitutional in character.
Neutrality Is A Hidden Creed
- Modern political neutrality claims are themselves value-laden and function like secular religions.
- George Owers argues it's dishonest to pretend the state holds no moral-religious assumptions.
Be Explicit About Public Values
- Be honest about the values that guide the state rather than pretending neutrality.
- Clear rules (like historical tests) reduce arbitrariness and insecurity around acceptable beliefs.
