If you want something like Gilead--something with a spiritual theme--I recommend the Life of Pi. 

Completely agree about the culture's crassness when it comes to matters of sex and relationships. 

I'm not convinced that they are incompatible and I don't think members of my generation are either, given Bereket's posts. I'm someone who has benefited from feminism and I have not only known many men who have been chivalrous, but I have experienced their chivalry first hand. What's the contradiction?

You can call me Emily.

My message is one of personal responsibility and anti-casual sex. How is that not conservative? 

Well said. I completely agree.

An observation: I'm surprised that there aren't more female voices chiming in here on the comments.

Also, I'm going to throw this out there: conservatives need to get with the program when it comes to these issues. Obama's war on women was manipulative and stupid, but it worked. What do conservatives have to offer as a response? "Your body is a gift from god"--or explanations like it--is not going to do the trick!

Sandy - the parietal rules I'm referring to are things like curfews and other restrictions that were placed on women, and not men, on college campuses in the 50s and 60s. 

Mike, I love you more -- but I have to disagree. How do we reach women who don't believe in God and are areligious? Surely, we should have ideas to offer them that they don't reject immediately--which they would, if we say things like the body is a gift from God. 

Shiela S, I TOTALLY agree with you about this and wish that our policymakers would take the same position:

"If you are mature enough to have sex, then you had better be mature enough to both get/use birth control and deal with the consequences of being sexually active (disease, unplanned pregnancies)."

Congrats : )

Actually -- reading this discussion brings up a question which I'd love your help on: What distinguishes a good awe experience (like the ones I describe) from a bad awe experience (Germans in awe of Hitler)? 

SUCH a great example! Thank you for bringing it up.

Yes, of course -- in the groupish context, I think that awe can definitely have negative consequences. But then again, it can also be great--think about a wedding or a beautiful church ceremony. 

What would you want covered in the high-culture podcast? 

Glad you guys are enjoying this! Be sure to listen through to the end, which is when she starts talking--breathlessly--about George Lucas' artistic virtuosity!

am loving reading these...keep 'em coming!