I'm looking forward to that interview with Reno! I've been following the conversation generated by his book, though I haven't gotten around to reading it myself yet, very stimulating conversation.
I'm wondering what you mean by "secular" when you say we are a secular nation of Christian men? Do you mean profane? Worldly? Blasphemous? Maybe your book Kingdom of Cain will help me understand what you mean? I'm pretty skeptical of the use of the word myself. Even religious liberty it seems to me is a Christian value, not a generic good coming of a society that is magically neutral but fair. In my estimation, neutral secularity is a deception. Every system has a god. What is the best pathway to correcting it? That's a question that's harder to answer. I think that path of correction is the crying need of reformation in our time. Might we learn from the mistaken attempts in the past? I guess we'll see, but Reno's book seems a good place to start.
I agree. I have found that pluralism is a myth.It is a tool used by the Left To get the well meaning people on the right to "compromise" . But in the end when the deals are made the well meaning walk away patting themselves on the back For being so open and honest, not realizing that they are the only ones who have ceded ground. Compromise doesn't exactly work when there is only one side acting in good faith. " One Nation under god" doesn't
sound that secular to me.
And also I am not Catholic but Rusty Reno changed the course of my life. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. I get first things specifically to read him.
I've very much looking forward to that interview! Reno's a true intellectual, and I very much appreciate his calm and rational demeanor as he explains how he sees things.
As for those weird Catholics yearning for some sort of monarchy...that has to be some small but loud online cohort. I know of no one who thinks that. And for those who do...it smacks me as a desire to abdicate responsibility somehow. The time for monarchies like that is passed. Even the descendants of former monarchs have accepted it and ensconced themselves in democratic politics.
But, just who are we anyway? As we continue to watch this experiment we call USA, we see an acceleration of the filling of the melting pot with a wide variety of cultures. Can a true melting pot of individual cultural groupings survive when there is little true appreciation of our concept of freedom and patriotism? Or will see a diluted version of anarchy? I fear for my grandchildren’s future as Christians.
Yes, but in Western Europe and then “The New World” it was predominantly a discussion about the surrounding countries. And predominantly Judea/Christian. Today the change is a challenge to that Greek/Roman/Celtic/Germanic original melting pot. No wonder history teaches us that virtually every “empire” eventually collapsed
Funnily enough, as you talk about justice, I'm nearly finished with The House of Love and Death which wrestles with this subject beautifully I thought. I figured out who did it at the same time as Winter. Maybe I have a strange habit of mind too?
Is nationalism the answer to our Woke woes? Well, yes and no, and mostly no, and to be that guy, it depends on what you mean by "nationalism." In fact, there are lots of ways to define both nationalism and the nation to which a nationalist program would be ideologically committed. It can be a sentiment in a variety of strengths, which can be quite good and valuable, or it can be a collectivist ideological project, which is not so good. Conquering nationalist regimes and programs is also a Communist bread-and-butter tactic. In this episode of New Discourses Bullets, host James Lindsay takes on the question and introduces the complexity of the subject of nationalism, including Christian Nationalism in America, as a solution to our Woke political troubles. Join him to get a wider perspective on this important issue.
I'm looking forward to that interview with Reno! I've been following the conversation generated by his book, though I haven't gotten around to reading it myself yet, very stimulating conversation.
I'm wondering what you mean by "secular" when you say we are a secular nation of Christian men? Do you mean profane? Worldly? Blasphemous? Maybe your book Kingdom of Cain will help me understand what you mean? I'm pretty skeptical of the use of the word myself. Even religious liberty it seems to me is a Christian value, not a generic good coming of a society that is magically neutral but fair. In my estimation, neutral secularity is a deception. Every system has a god. What is the best pathway to correcting it? That's a question that's harder to answer. I think that path of correction is the crying need of reformation in our time. Might we learn from the mistaken attempts in the past? I guess we'll see, but Reno's book seems a good place to start.
I agree. I have found that pluralism is a myth.It is a tool used by the Left To get the well meaning people on the right to "compromise" . But in the end when the deals are made the well meaning walk away patting themselves on the back For being so open and honest, not realizing that they are the only ones who have ceded ground. Compromise doesn't exactly work when there is only one side acting in good faith. " One Nation under god" doesn't
sound that secular to me.
And also I am not Catholic but Rusty Reno changed the course of my life. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. I get first things specifically to read him.
I've very much looking forward to that interview! Reno's a true intellectual, and I very much appreciate his calm and rational demeanor as he explains how he sees things.
As for those weird Catholics yearning for some sort of monarchy...that has to be some small but loud online cohort. I know of no one who thinks that. And for those who do...it smacks me as a desire to abdicate responsibility somehow. The time for monarchies like that is passed. Even the descendants of former monarchs have accepted it and ensconced themselves in democratic politics.
"The fear of this chaos has many Catholics yearning for the medieval days of rule by throne and altar."
To which I reply, Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
Not this Catholic. I love liberty. I want dictates from neither pope nor king.
Right? It's like they haven't read the Old Testament either when Israel demanded a king.
But, just who are we anyway? As we continue to watch this experiment we call USA, we see an acceleration of the filling of the melting pot with a wide variety of cultures. Can a true melting pot of individual cultural groupings survive when there is little true appreciation of our concept of freedom and patriotism? Or will see a diluted version of anarchy? I fear for my grandchildren’s future as Christians.
In the 19th century very similar questions were asked.
Yes, but in Western Europe and then “The New World” it was predominantly a discussion about the surrounding countries. And predominantly Judea/Christian. Today the change is a challenge to that Greek/Roman/Celtic/Germanic original melting pot. No wonder history teaches us that virtually every “empire” eventually collapsed
Funnily enough, as you talk about justice, I'm nearly finished with The House of Love and Death which wrestles with this subject beautifully I thought. I figured out who did it at the same time as Winter. Maybe I have a strange habit of mind too?
R.R. Reno Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West
Can Nationalism Solve Our Woke Problem?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFEHyzHg4XM
Apr 10, 2025 New Discourses Bullets
New Discourses Bullets, Ep. 113
Is nationalism the answer to our Woke woes? Well, yes and no, and mostly no, and to be that guy, it depends on what you mean by "nationalism." In fact, there are lots of ways to define both nationalism and the nation to which a nationalist program would be ideologically committed. It can be a sentiment in a variety of strengths, which can be quite good and valuable, or it can be a collectivist ideological project, which is not so good. Conquering nationalist regimes and programs is also a Communist bread-and-butter tactic. In this episode of New Discourses Bullets, host James Lindsay takes on the question and introduces the complexity of the subject of nationalism, including Christian Nationalism in America, as a solution to our Woke political troubles. Join him to get a wider perspective on this important issue.
I answered No! Not even a little
Thank you again Klavan.
Oz Guinness’ Golden Triangle of Freedom