Last week I heard that an old friend of mine named Eli has developed an online community devoted to “recovering historical masculinity”. He calls it “The Roosevelt Society” after his role model for ultimate manliness, Teddy Roosevelt.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
I don’t know how many guys he enrolls at a time, but it is filled and there is a waiting list.<\/p>\n\n\n
I am dying to know what Eli is teaching. I plan to write him an email to see if he will give me a glimpse inside.<\/p>\n\n\n
His website gives some clues to his approach\u00a0 to the masculine ideal by setting up this interesting framework:<\/p>\n\n\n
Eli says that for a guy, there is a need to “be a good man” but there is also the need to “be good at being a man”.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
“Being a good man” means practicing virtues – being loving, just, charitable and such.<\/p>\n\n\n
But “being good at being a man” involves things like taking risks, protecting your family, and providing for loved ones.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
Most everyone acknowledges that our present culture is a mess in a dozen different ways, but I have a growing suspicion that close to the center of our biggest issues lies the disintegration of both of these aspects of masculinity.<\/p>\n\n\n
Unfortunately, from what I can see, the Church’s response thus far has mostly consisted of handwringing, judgment, and resignation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
I would like to see us be more proactive!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
My email to Eli is going to ask two questions:<\/p>\n\n\n
1) What exactly are you teaching?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
And assuming it is good and worthwhile stuff … (Eli is pretty darn sharp!)<\/p>\n\n\n
2) Is there a way for it to be adapted for use in a faith setting where it could be spread to both adults and teens?<\/p>\n\n\n