– I think Peterson says a lot of what a lot of people think, without them really daring to say it themselves, says Sverre Olai Knardal.

It’s Friday night and Grieghallen is filling up. Knardal paid around NOK 800 to see the Canadian writer, researcher and psychologist on stage. He is not alone in this case.

Last year, Peterson packed Oslo Spektrum, with nearly 10,000 tickets sold, to talk about his book “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules For Life Tour.” At Grieghallen, it’s true that there is only room for 1600, but there too, the tickets quickly sold out.

It’s like Class struggle points out, a feat that even the Festival’s biggest productions struggle to match.

Knardal watched Peterson on YouTube and says a lot of the boys in his circle feel the same way.

– He has ideas and thoughts that go a little against our culture, which may seem provocative to many, but it creates commitment in me, says the young man of 23 years.

Provocative and engaging

Knardal reflected on why Peterson appeals to young men in particular.

– You are impressed by the fact that he is a courageous figure, who dares to have uncomfortable conversations, but he wins these debates. That’s why I think he becomes something of a cult hero for many young men. There are few like him, he says.

Peterson became very famous when he protested against a new law in Canada in 2016. The law, according to Peterson, required addressing transgender people with the pronoun they themselves preferred, as long as one was aware of what the person preferred. Peterson had no intention of doing this.

Knardal and Eilertsen are both Christians. They appreciate that Peterson is clear that there are only two genders.

– In questions about gender identity and gender roles, I think he has good points, says Ingrid Linnea Eilertsen (22).

– He has a classic understanding of the genre. It speaks of true masculinity. I think men can get a bit feminized in the West, so I find a lot of his thoughts on that fascinating, Knardal adds.

It is around these issues that critics are most at odds with the Canadian.

BA sent a clinical psychologist to summarize the show. This is how it happened:

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Christian values

– To say that there are only two biological sexes has become politically incorrect to say. It’s clearly true, and I think that’s what most people really think. I think Peterson says a lot of what a lot of people think, without even daring to say it themselves, says Knardal.

– Why do you think people are provoked by what Peterson says?

– Much depends on identity and feelings. In today’s society, I feel like society is expected to adapt to the ego. It defies it and is, in a way, a counterweight to social development. I think he’s a good counterweight, Knardal said.

Eilertsen likes the Petersons to oppose emotional debates.

– Many people speak their own truth, while Peterson fears that there is only one truth. It’s important to me too.

She is surprised that the tickets were purchased so quickly, as she knows many people find Peterson provocative.

– But I also think a lot of people agree with a lot of what he says, but find it uncomfortable to say it out loud themselves. It’s easy to be labeled if you think of something, for example, gender-related issues.

– He helped me

We also come across a three-leaf clover consisting of father, son, and mate.

Sebastian André Johannessen has been watching the Canadiens online since 2017. Simple things like taking himself seriously, telling the truth and cleaning his room are some of the things he thinks Peterson taught him.

– I am here because I am interested in discovering my dysfunctions, my addictions and the things that prevent me from living the life that I want to live. Which is a shameless and free life, says the 25-year-old.

– I get a lot from hearing him speak. He puts words to the challenges that life presents. He speaks well and what he talks about can be used to improve your own life, adds Father Thor Christian Johannessen (53).

Anders Sagevik (42) is a believer and likes that Peterson speaks for conservative values.

– It raises the need for education and discipline, he says.

Peterson’s books are about rules. Sagevik calls the word unsexy, but thinks it’s important to have people who explain the importance of the rules in an understandable, knowledge-based way.

– As men, we don’t have many such role models anymore, so it is necessary, says Sagevik.

All three say they disagree with Peterson on a number of things, but you can never completely agree with anyone.

– The fact that it is controversial is, in my view, only positive. It then sparks interest in things that obviously need to be talked about more, says Sagevik.

Curious

The majority of the Grieghallen congregation are male, but far from all of them. Many women also made the trip.

Friends Christy Dayhoff from the USA and Jules Crossliy-Nilsen from England are among them. They came out of curiosity, they say.

– I heard that he is controversial, but he seems interesting to me and I am curious to know his opinions, says Crossliy-Nilsen.

She can’t wait to walk into the courtroom with a clean slate, before forming her own opinion of Peterson.

– It’s good to have different points of view on things. So let’s find out what he has to say, she said smiling.

For Christy Dayhoff, it was Peterson’s outspokenness about her health issues that caught the eye.

– That’s how I met him. That’s what appealed to me the most, she says.

– He is also very popular with young men. Do you know why?

– I think he appeals to young men for a simple reason: he is with them on some of the challenges young men face today. In general, it offers good self-help tools, and it can be useful for both men and women, says Dayhoff.