Posted on 03/07/2006 6:08:18 AM PST by Mr. Silverback
If you encountered someone who made his own granola, bought his veggies at a food co-op, wore Birkenstock sandals, and wanted to save the environment, if you’re like me, you’d probably think, well, there goes a lefty, or a liberal, or maybe an aging hippie. But the author of a new book says someone like that is just as likely to be a conservative Republican. In his book, Crunchy Cons, journalist Rod Dreher writes about a group of people he calls “crunchy conservatives,” a group that includes, among others, “hip homeschooling mamas,” “Birkenstocked Burkeans,” “gun-loving organic” farmers, and “right-wing nature lovers.”
What Dreher, a Dallas Morning News columnist, means by “crunchy conservative” is someone who rejects the “consumerist and individualistic mainstream of American life.” This rejection distinguishes their worldview from that of mainstream liberalism or conservatism, which, in Dreher’s estimation, are both “essentially materialist ideologies.”
The result of this materialism is “a society dedicated to the multiplication of wants and the intensification of desire, not the improvement of character.” What sets Dreher’s “crunchy cons” apart is the extent to which they have recognized the corrosive effects of a culture that is both materialistic and pornographic, and they are prepared to do something about it.
They all start at the most basic level: marriage and family. Of course, the liberal and the conservative mainstream both affirm the centrality of the family. After all, apart from some radicals, everybody is for the family, right?
Well, not like the “crunchy cons” are. People like Caleb Stegall, a Kansas lawyer who is profiled in the book, don’t just talk a good game when it comes to family—their lives testify to its importance. They walk away from prestigious jobs and sacrifice a second income in order to make the time to raise families correctly.
This emphasis on family and instilling character is why many crunchy cons homeschool. As a Manhattan mother of five told Dreher, homeschooling shows her kids that their well-being is what’s most important. Instead of working to give them more “stuff,” she gave them more time instead.
This de-emphasizing of “stuff” is another hallmark of Dreher’s Crunchy Cons. It’s not because they reject capitalism or seek to appear “holier-than-thou.” It’s because they understand the importance of postponing gratification in building character. They know that people accustomed to satisfying every material want are not likely to exercise restraint in any area of their lives.
This emphasis on restraint cuts across the grain of a culture where people are taught to regard anything that stands between them and their desires as a kind of “tyranny.” So it comes as no surprise that most of Dreher’s “crunchy cons” are Christians.
That’s because Christians understand—or should, at least—how pervasive what writer Dan Knauss calls the “porno-culture” is. This pervasiveness is why protecting our kids requires diligence and commitment. Dreher’s “crunchy” conservatives—mostly “crunchy” Christians—are reminders of what the apostle Peter meant when he called followers of Christ a “peculiar people.” And it’s why these “hip homeschooling mamas” and “right-wing nature lovers” are worthy of our respect, no matter what they wear on their feet or how much granola they eat.
I'm going to get the book. I saw the author interviewed this morning on FOX and he's pretty interesting.
No thanks...appreciate the artistry but just can't get into it. Give me Motown and Stax stuff any day.
Just the really hot and cold parts at the poles and the deserts. And Massachussetts and New Jersey.
Amen! Great post, and my wife and I are so glad to know there are kindred spirits out there. We start homeschooling next year, and then I am opening an independent Catholic school, which will tend to attract families with views similar to ours. Keep up the great work!
Yeah, I eat tofu, hug trees, cry at bunny funerals, plant my veges, dance in drum circles, spend my own money on charities etc.
I think it just boils down to having core beliefs in common. The rest is just window dressing.
We are a nation of individuals.... ;)
You're added! I'm also adding you to the Wisconsin FREEPNORAD alert list. Hope you don't mind.
There is a lot of truth in your short message. I happen to be a Christian but I'm afraid that I like nice things and sometimes I can get caught up in it all. It's not really an ego thing, it's more, I think, because I truly love beautiful art, music, and so on. I notice it and so I can't stand things when they are "uglified." So, for example, if the carpet gets bad, I want new carpet. I can't help it. However, one nice thing about beauty is simplicity has its own beauty and one can have beautiful things without spending a lot of $. Anyway, I do design work so I guess it's just an innate part of me.
I will NEVER understand why people think only libs care about the environment, animals and so on. God has blessed us with the earth and all that is in it and part of that blessing is for us to thank him by taking CARE of it. I am not a PETA person either or an environmental wacko or any such thing, but I know our resources are finite and I want to be a good steward of all of our blessings.
Oh, and even the Bible talks about not abusing our "beasts."
Glad you love what you do - I'm not sure I like name tags for everyone anyway - too limiting in scope.
I have old STAX records (boy did you bring back memories) but I love chamber music too!!!!!
Life is grand, aint it?
Works for me.
Wanted to also let you know that I sent the article on to my socialist BIL. The e-mail I got back from him was INSANE. I guess I'm not allowed to be conservative and touch ANY of the issues that his Marxist Party have co-opted, LOL!
What a loon.
Just another example of the Leftist inability to cope with diversity of thought. Cheers!
"Birkenstock Burkeans" my rear end. PJ O'Rourke had a more accurate sobriquet. "Birkenstock Bolsheviks."
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Amen.
My mom worked full time while my father was minister of small churches earning less than 2000 bucks a year. It was not until we were grown that she was able to stay home. Her job meant we were able to wear shoes and eat meat.
Like the man said, people do lots of different things to preserve the family.
So do I. Unfortunately, I have champagne tastes on a beer budget, so I have to control myself.
There's nothing wrong with appreciating nice things. Maybe people like us help keep artisans, etc. in business. It's just the blind acquisition, or consmerism as an end in itself, that's wrong.
Unfortunately, even traditional societies fall prey to the need to keep up appearances, especially when it determines their status & choice of marriage partners. It would be nice if everyone could live simply & within his means. Alas, reality can be a different matter.
I know what you mean. My husband and I have had some very nice cars over the years but have also bought used cars - nothing ostentatious or really envy-worthy, though I did own one of the Ford Explorers when they first came on the scene and people stopped me all the time to ask about it. I loved it BTW - this was when gasoline was reasonable too.
We keep our cars til they die and we don't buy the really lux cars either. In fact, we do a lot of things very frugally - don't eat out much for instance. My husband says my food is better than most we get out anyway, so guess that's a double blessing.
I think the Lord just wants us to be smart with what we have and, as you said, not get caught up in trying to outdo other people or maybe just try to look like we have what they have. A lot of people have nice houses with absolutely nothing in them.
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