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268. Live Not By Lies | Rod Dreher

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Jul 7, 2022

Guest

Rod Dreher

Rod Dreher, Senior editor at The American Conservative and acclaimed author, delves into the themes of his latest work, 'Live Not By Lies.' He discusses the insidious re-emergence of Communism in the West and how ideology is replacing faith in contemporary society. Dreher emphasizes the need for courage in confronting modern totalitarianism and explores the moral implications of privilege and societal pressures. He draws parallels between historical struggles and current cultural conflicts, inspiring listeners to seek authentic faith and personal responsibility in a rapidly changing world.

01:25:59

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ANECDOTE

Kulaks' Fate

Stalin eliminated the kulaks (prosperous peasants) as they disproved Bolshevik ideology.
Their success through hard work challenged the narrative that progress only comes from cheating.

insights

INSIGHT

Woke Capitalism's Guilt

Woke capitalism is driven by guilt, with upper management pushing equity to alleviate privilege anxiety.
This resembles medieval indulgences, where actions absolve guilt without addressing root causes.

insights

INSIGHT

Scapegoating vs. Philanthropy

The privileged face a choice: genuine philanthropy or scapegoating oppressors to avoid personal responsibility.
René Girard highlighted this shift from victim concern to inquisition.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Resisting Modern Totalitarianism

01:48 • 30min

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Cultural Clash at Yale: Halloween and the Crisis of Leadership

32:02 • 8min

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Confronting Ideology and Suffering

40:04 • 26min

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The Challenge of Authentic Faith in Orthodoxy

01:06:32 • 2min

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Courage and Unity Against Totalitarianism

01:08:34 • 11min

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Unexpected Societal Changes and New Media Ventures

01:19:09 • 2min

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#23409

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The Little Way of Ruthie Leming

A Southern Girl, a Small Town, and the Secret of a Good Life

Rod Dreher

The Little Way of Ruthie Leming is a memoir that follows Rod Dreher's journey back to his hometown of St. Francisville, Louisiana, after his sister Ruthie's untimely death from cancer. The book reflects on Ruthie's life and the community's response to her illness, highlighting the value of rootedness and community in achieving a fulfilling life. Dreher contrasts his own cosmopolitan ambitions with Ruthie's commitment to their hometown, exploring what it means to live a meaningful life.

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The Myth of the Green Grocer

Václav Havel

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Live Not By Lies

Rod Dreher

In 'Live Not By Lies', Rod Dreher warns American Christians about the dangers of what he terms 'soft totalitarianism', a form of totalitarianism that relies more on psychological manipulation than overt violence. Drawing on the experiences of Christians who lived under Soviet rule, Dreher provides practical advice on how to identify and resist this form of totalitarianism. The book outlines a method for resistance: SEE (acknowledge the reality), JUDGE (assess reality in light of Christian truth), and ACT (take action to protect truth). Dreher emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparation, family, church fellowship, and a willingness to suffer in order to resist the encroaching ideology.

#14783

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Crunchy Cons

Rod Dreher

#12823

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

How Dante Can Save Your Life

Rod Dreher

In "How Dante Can Save Your Life," Rod Dreher uses Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" as a framework for exploring spiritual and personal growth. Dreher recounts his own journey of healing and faith, drawing parallels between Dante's pilgrimage and his own experiences of illness and despair. He demonstrates how Dante's work offers profound insights into the human condition, providing guidance for navigating life's challenges. The book blends personal narrative with literary analysis, offering a unique perspective on faith, healing, and the power of storytelling. It's a testament to the enduring relevance of Dante's masterpiece and its capacity to inspire spiritual transformation.

#2114

• Mentioned in 21 episodes

The captive mind

Czesław Miłosz

Written after his defection from Stalinist Poland in 1951, 'The Captive Mind' is a philosophical and political essay that explores the allure of Stalinism to intellectuals and the mechanisms of totalitarian control. Miłosz uses metaphorical portraits of four Polish writers (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) to illustrate the universal human phenomena and attitudes towards totalitarianism. The book critiques the philosophical systems of Marxism and Hegelian historical determinism, highlighting the internal longing for harmony and happiness that can lead individuals to submit to such regimes. It also discusses the personal and psychological costs of living under totalitarian rule, including the transformation of 'free minds' into instruments of the state.

#40

• Mentioned in 270 episodes

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.

• Mentioned in 1,760 episodes

1984

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

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• Mentioned in 29 episodes

The Benedict Option

Rod Dreher

#104

• Mentioned in 167 episodes

The Gulag Archipelago

An Experiment in Literary Investigation

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population.

Rod Dreher is a senior writer and editor for 'The American Conservative.' He is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: 'Live Not By Lies,' 'The Benedict Option,' and 'The Little Way of Ruthie Leming,' as well as the books 'Crunchy Cons' and 'How Dante Can Save Your Life.'

In this episode, Rod Dreher and I discuss his latest book, 'Live Not By Lies,' the continuous emergence of Communism in the West, ideology as a substitute for religion, the importance of courage, and more. Thanks for watching.

—Links—

Follow Rod Dreher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/roddreher

Read Rod Dreher's articles: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/author/rod-dreher/

Order Rod Dreher's books, 'Live Note By Lies', and others on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Rod-Dreher/e/B00JV2IX3O%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share.

—Chapters—[0:00] Intro

[1:25] Live Not By Lies

[2:32] A Story from Communist Czechoslovakia

[4:55] Our Old Idea of New Totalitarianism

[9:13] Czeslaw Miłosz and "The Captive Mind"

[12:26] The Appeal of Communism

[14:50] The Weaponizing of Original Sin

[18:36] Applying the Story of the Kulaks

[22:43] The Emergence of Woke Capitalism

[27:37] The Line Between Good and Evil

[29:48] Solzhenitsyn's Rules for Responsible Conduct

[31:31] Scapegoating and False Morality

[37:28] The Fragility of American Elites

[42:06] Vaclav Havel, The Myth of the Green Grocer

[48:34] Fighting for the Right to Be Unhappy

[56:37] Ideology as Substitute for Religion

[1:00:56] Heroism as Anti-Ideology

[1:09:52] Preparing for Persecution

[1:12:33] A Message from the Church to Men

[1:13:39] Courage

[1:18:04] Rod Dreher, "Live Not By Lies"

[1:20:07] Jordan Peterson's Daily Wire+ Deal

[1:21:15] Daily Wire+ Intro

[1:21:54] History of Rod Dreher's Religious Belief

[1:27:08] Sexuality as the Last Temptation

[1:32:45] Kierkegaard's Three Stages of Life

[1:34:45] Journey Through Catholicism

[1:36:36] Becoming an Orthodox Christian

[1:45:00] A Respite from the Political

[1:48:11] The Purpose of Prayer

[1:50:23] The Jesus Prayer

[1:54:36] Closing Comments

#roddreher #livenotbylies #aleksandrsolzhenitsyn #jordanpeterson #communism #christianity

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