Tuesday, October 20, 2026

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.
On today’s edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses President Trump’s decision to cancel the planned livestream of the Fort Hood shooter’s execution, continued riots in France and the breakdown of the rule of law, the ideological questions surrounding Abdul El-Sayed’s candidacy, and Richard Dawkins’ defense of The God Delusion twenty years after its publication.
Part I (00:14 – 03:10)
Execution Livestream Canceled by President Trump: Government Must Enforce Justice with Solemnity When It Comes to the Death Penalty

• Trump Cancels Plans to Livestream Execution of Fort Hood Shooter by The Wall Street Journal (Lara Seligman and Josh Dawsey)

Part II (03:10 – 07:09)
The Significance of a Burning City Hall: Continued Riots in France Reveal Political Uncertainty and the Breakdown of the Rule of Law
Part III (07:09 – 15:27)
Theological Challenges to Western Civilization: Abdul El-Sayed’s Candidacy Raises Questions About the Alliance Between Marxism and Islamism on the Left

• The stealth candidacy of Abdul El-Sayed by The Washington Post (Marc A. Thiessen)
• El-Sayed’s exchange over Muslim Brotherhood stirs inspiration, condemnation by The Washington Post (Erin Cox)

Part IV (15:27 – 26:33)
There is Now Nothing New About the New Atheist Movement: Twenty Years Later, Atheist Richard Dawkins Stands by His Arguments in The God Delusion

• Twenty years since I wrote the book, the God Delusion won’t die by The Telegraph (Richard Dawkins)
• Science is proving Richard Dawkins and the New Atheists wrong by The Telegraph (Stephen Meyer)
• The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (Bantam Press, 2006)
• Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists by R. Albert Mohler Jr. (Crossway, 2008)

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