He hit back at the nonbelievers.
John Heers, a documentarian and founder of the First Things Foundation, has pushed back against critics who dismissed Tucker Carlson’s recent claims of a demonic encounter. Heers, in an interview with The Christian Post, argued that those who deny the existence of the spiritual realm are deceiving themselves, suggesting that everyone, whether they realize it or not, believes in things unseen. Heers emphasized that concepts like pride, love, and hate, which are intangible, are universally recognized, and denying the reality of demons is a result of Enlightenment-era thinking that has conditioned people to think solely in material terms.
Carlson, who recently shared his experience with Heers in a viral video, claimed that in 2023, he woke up one night feeling suffocated and discovering claw marks on his body. He described the incident as a direct encounter with a demonic entity, and said the experience left scars that prompted him to turn to the Bible. Heers confirmed that Carlson believes the attack happened on February 20, 2023, just over two months before his sudden firing from Fox News. Carlson referenced Ephesians 6, which discusses spiritual warfare, affirming his belief in the reality of supernatural forces.
The exchange between Carlson and Heers will be featured in Christianities?, a documentary currently in production. Heers described the film as a wide-reaching exploration of how Christians around the world understand and practice their faith. Heers, who has worked in diverse countries such as Mozambique, Haiti, and Sierra Leone, noted that spiritual beliefs are far more commonly accepted in many parts of the world than in the West, which he says has become overly materialistic. Heers pointed out that in many cultures, especially in Africa, discussions about spirits are not met with ridicule but curiosity, suggesting a broader openness to the supernatural.
Heers, whose nonprofit work focuses on global Orthodox Christian efforts, discussed how his personal journey from agnosticism to Orthodox Christianity influenced his worldview. He explained that his film would include perspectives from both well-known and lesser-known individuals, offering a diverse range of reflections on faith. Through his relationship with Carlson and filmmaker Steven Downey, Heers had the opportunity to discuss Carlson’s experience in greater detail, and he defended Carlson’s account of the supernatural encounter, calling those who dismiss it “uncharitable.” Heers believes that Carlson’s growing focus on the spiritual nature of political conflicts is rooted in his own personal experiences with the supernatural.