What 'Return of Kings' doesn't get about manhood

"And always won he
sovereign fame for prize.

Though so illustrious, he was very wise

And bore himself as meekly as a maid.

He never yet had any vileness said,

In all his life, to whatsoever wight.He was a truly perfect, gentle knight."

--Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (translated)

Advance word of a "pro-rape" group coming to Austin as part of a multi-city gathering was enough to convince Gov. Greg Abbott to issue a statement calling them "pathetic." And justifiably so.

Whether the group Return of Kings (which originally planned to meet at Palm Park on Saturday, but has since canceled), is actually for the complete legalization and acceptance of forcible sex we won't get into here for the sake of not beating an already-dead horse. The outrage has generated enough free publicity for them as it stands.

However, the subject of "neomasculinity" is worthy our attention and our scrutiny. We'll use the definition put forth by the leader of this movement, "Roosh V" (real name Daryush Valizadeh, a professional "pickup artist"):

"Neomasculinity combines traditional beliefs, masculinity, and animal biology into one ideological system. It aims to aid men living in Westernized nations that lack qualities such as classical virtue, masculinity in males, femininity in females, and objectivity, especially concerning beauty ideals and human behavior. It also serves as an antidote for males who are being programmed to accept Western degeneracy, mindless consumerism, and immoral state authority." 

Conservatives could, in theory, be sympathetic toward the general message here -- social conservatives

Roosh V. with at least two of his motivations

in particular, who strongly decry the emasculation of the American male and political correctness that no longer celebrates boys being boys and girls being girls. They get it, and have been riding that train for years.

But when one looks into what this dangerous philosophy teaches, you'll see the devilish details: a promotion of things which are quite antithetical to conservative living. How-to guides on casual "hookups" for sexual purposes (called "game" and sometimes even "conquest"). Admonitions for males not to maintain friendships with women unless there is something sexual or material to be gained. A philosophy that female self-esteem is wrapped up almost solely in beauty and reproduction. And a whole train wreck of other ideas best left for the scrapheap.

Where this movement primarily errs is in its celebration of "animal biology." By "animal biology," do they mean our baser instincts of survival? Is this a nod to the attitudes of selfish motivations and primitive tribalism that civilizations have worked for millennia to refine in the name of law and order? Does this allude to Original Sin and the Fall of Man, for which we need the sanctifying grace of God to overcome? Either way, we should seek to be better than animals.

What Return of Kings is missing is that genteel element that has for generations defined what it means to be a real man. It confuses meekness for weakness, and disposes almost entirely with the spirit of the term "gentleman." Because of this, we should dispose of so-called "neomasculinity" in favor of a more comprehensive and time-honored definition of how a man carries himself.

The Knight's Code

Generations of boys have grown up to become men with the influence of the Boy Scouts of America. Several editions of "The Boy Scout Handbook" contain "The Knight's Code," often next to a drawing of an armored knight by Scouting founder Lord Baden Powell (himself a true man's man).

Here's the text, in case our scan is not legible:

• "Be always ready with your armor on, except when you are taking your rest at night.
• Defend the poor, and help them that cannot defend themselves.
• Do nothing to hurt or offend anyone alse.
• Be prepared to fight in the defense of your country.
• At whatever you are working, try to win honor and a name for honesty.
• Never break your promise.
• Maintain the honor of your country with your life.
• Rather die honest than live shamelessly.
• Chivalry requires that youth should be trained to perform the most laborious and humble offices with cheerfulness and grace; and to do good unto others."

This reflects a much more comprehensive view than "neomasculinity"  -- one that honors the religious and social values developed by Western Civilization as well as the rugged individualism that we as Texans in particular enjoy.

We find other traces of this philosophy throughout the Middle Ages. In "The Song of Roland," a French epic poem written in 1066 commemorating the Battle of Roncevaux (778, during the reign of Charlemagne), we see a description of the mission of Eighth Century knights. It has come to define chivalry as we understand it today:

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenseless
To give succour to widows and orphans
To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
To live by honour and for glory
To despise pecuniary reward
To fight for the welfare of all
To obey those placed in authority
To guard the honour of fellow knights
To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
To keep faith
At all times to speak the truth
To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
To respect the honour of women
Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
Never to turn the back upon a foe

Note that of these 17 items, 12 are related to chivalry, and not warfare, nor selfish gain. This emphasis is something the men-children who subscribe to Return of Kings should consider as they seek to recover manhood (particularly the line about "the honour of women").

Other ways to be manly

There are other, more truly conservative ways to rescue masculinity from the clutches of ultra-feminism and the so-called "wussification of America." If anyone reading this is leaning toward "neomasculinity," we would encourage the following sources:

Art of Manliness (helpful lifestyle tips)
http://www.artofmanliness.com/

Promise Keepers (Christian ministry that celebrates manhood as a God-given gift)
https://promisekeepers.org/

Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (free book!)
http://document.desiringgod.org/recovering-biblical-manhood-and-womanhood-en.pdf?1446647999

Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
http://cbmw.org/

And, as mentioned (we have to start them young) ...

Boy Scouts of America
www.scouting.org/

Trail Life (in case the BSA has gotten too liberal for your tastes)
www.traillifeusa.com