[Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four. Part Five. Part Six. Part Seven. Part Eight.]

Here is the final part (too long delayed) of this series.

When discussing how to become a traditionalist, it is appropriate also to speak briefly of the content of traditionalism. In harmony with the order of being, traditionalism seeks a social order that, among other things,

is based on Christianity, in the sense that it affirms the basic Christian views of God, man and society but does not necessarily support only one view of exactly how man must worship or be saved from the wrath of God.

publicly honors Christianity, and holds that theology and God-honoring philosophy, not science, are the highest forms of knowledge.

acknowledges that some men naturally have authority over others: magistrates over citizens, clergymen over parishioners, teachers over students, husbands over wives and children, mothers over children, and so on.

acknowledges not only that authority exists, but that male authority is of fundamental importance for the proper functioning of society at every level, from the family to the national government. Without strong male authority, exercised with competence and love, things naturally fall apart. With this authority, men, women and children can live as they ought.

promotes what is commonly called the traditional view of male-female relations: premarital chastity, male headship of the household, female emphasis on childrearing and maintenance of the household, and the importance of bearing and properly raising children.

holds that we ought to honor our parents and, more generally, the ways of our people.

does not suicidally demand that the people be tolerant and inclusive of a disruptive influx of foreigners, but instead looks on the nation as a people and an order that are good and are therefore to be preserved.

is intolerant of, and seeks to control, crime, vice, perversion, ugliness and the like.

recognizes that part of our Western heritage is freedom, provided that it is an ordered freedom under God and the civil law.

limits government, out of an understanding that government officials have a natural tendency to gain and abuse power, and that since government has a monopoly on the legitimate use of force, the growth of government is a fundamental threat against which we must guard. This view does not contradict the legitimacy of authority, because all legitimate authority has limits, beyond which it becomes tyrannical and therefore invalid.

uses the law to punish criminals, with the death penalty when appropriate, rather than to satisfy procedural and bureaucratic regulations, or to promote liberalism.

regards the nation and its history as fundamentally good, and does not seek radical change. Change is for the purpose of incremental improvement, not the radical overturning of imaginary fundamental injustices.

holds that freedom and equality are not (contra liberalism) the primary social goods, and that they become destructive forces when not subordinated to other, more fundamental goods, such as honoring God.

*

Traditionalism is also what we do. What we do is determined primarily by what we know, so it is right to focus first on the knowledge that sets you free. But what should you do to be an American traditionalist?

No list could possibly be exhaustive, but here are some important points:

The most important act is to stop knowingly participating in that which is wrong. And if you are forced to participate (we have in mind, e.g., “sensitivity training”), do so minimally, and without giving your approval. Maintain your dignity.

Believe the truth about God, namely that He is as described in the Bible. Trust Jesus Christ to forgive your sins.

Live as though you are connected to your ancestors, your family, and your descendants.

Affirm traditional morality. That is, know that it is true, support it, and seek to live in accord with it. Understand that it gives you life even as it sometimes vexes you with its demands, especially the demand of self-restraint. By restraining yourself you are honoring God and your people and building up yourself and your family.

Respect authorities. Even if you believe an authority to be wrong, or even wicked, respect the office he holds.