Holy Rollers

Commentary ‘s Noah Rothman makes an overdue return to the Remnant to discuss his new ...

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Commentary ‘s Noah Rothman makes an overdue return to the Remnant to discuss his new book, The Rise of the New Puritans, which compares today’s woke progressives with their pious ancestors. Alternating between vigorous agreement and spirited debate, Noah and Jonah explore the morality of wokeism, the state of sex and comedy, and what’s behind mankind’s puritanical impulse. They also touch on the importance of staying in your lane, the future of safetyism in American life, and whether Mike Pence should be disqualified from pursuing another presidential bid.

Show Notes:

– Noah’s page at Commentary

– Noah’s new book, The Rise of the New Puritans

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  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    Very much enjoyed this interview. Noah’s book isn’t exactly the kind I usually read but I may have to pick it up. Please have him back on again soon.

    As to the video v audio question, my first thought is no. I prefer audio content to video content. That said, sometimes Jonah does facial expressions and hand gestures on the Dispatch Lives that give some context/extra humor. At the very least if you do videos, please keep the audio for those of us who like audio.

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  2. JA

    The predicament that Pence was in (damned if you do, damned if you don't) is a perfect example of the larger principle that corrupt leaders cause a multitude of moral dilemmas for others. More examples abound, such as principled conservatives who took and remained in positions in the Trump administration (to stay or not to stay?). Also, Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

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  3. Joy Lamentation

    The thing that is missing from this conversation and conversations like it is a discussion of empathy for the suffering of others.

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  4. James Angelichio

    What I want to know is how long is Jonah going to keep that halibut in the downstairs freezer and what does that have to do with Moinkbox?

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  5. Trumeau

    I don’t see the appeal of the video because I only listened to the podcast while walking or driving. This would have to be well produced for me to watch Jonah on tv or my computer.

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    Eric

    I'll read Noah's book when I can, but from what I've heard so far, I'll be going in pretty resistant to his thesis. In this podcast, they're making fun of the progressives making a through-line from slavery to gardening, and then in the same breath saying there's a through-line from puritanism to modern progressivism. It just sounds a little Pot vs Kettle.

    Whenever the politics-as-religion topic comes up, I think about David's podcast "What the heck is a fundamentalist" (https://goodfaith.thedispatch.com/p/what-the-heck-is-a-fundamentalist). Fundamentalism being more group psychology than religious belief and meaning that a group puts its focus on exclusionary rulemaking more than inclusivity or tolerance of differences. I think the Puritans are known for their fundamentalism first and foremost, but just because another group is showing signs of embracing fundamentalism doesn't mean they're in any way influenced by Puritans. Anyway, that's how I'll be going into Noah's book -- hopefully I'll learn something!

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    The Bell Tower

    Ha ha ha…. I was yelling “What about Lincoln and Habeas Corpus!!” at the bewildered Orlando drivers stuck in traffic next to me. Jonah rules.

    Extremism in defense of the constitution is no vice!

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  8. app

    What you two were grappling with is this: We all, from a young age, have that intuitive sense we are not quite right. So, life becomes a search to justify ourselves--to address that innate feeling that we’re not right. Some look upward. Some inward. That is the “thing on the shelf.”

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    Kevin Johnson

    No need for a visual pod, unless dogs would be included.

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  10. Avatar photo
    Kevin Johnson

    Great pod. More Noah’s welcome. His book on Social Justice was fantastic. He was on Brigit Phetasy pod for twice as long, for folks wanting more. He provides great value on Commemtary podcast, where he searches for (or is gifted) contrarian points to the great John. He is informative even when I disagree, and exudes an earnestness seldom seen, but needed, in this cynical world.

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