Is traditionalism bullshit?

[Michael B]

For me, tradition is respecting the voices of those who have come before me. I can choose what to take on myself or what to move on from, but I start from a stance of respectful and attentive listening. The Benedictine tradition, for example, has produced peaceful and prayerful communities across centuries of violence and warfare. The 'Rule' of St. Benedict seems to have something worth listening to. In his Rule, however, Benedict himself tells people to adjust things as people see fit. Pragmatism and flexibly are part of the Benedictine tradition itself.

[Whateverist]

In trying to understand the conservatism/liberalism divide I think regard for tradition plays a big role. "Faith of our fathers" is the essence of conservatism.

The essence of liberalism is the feeling that no one who came before could possibly have been in any better position to evaluate the present than you are yourself.

Temper liberalism with sufficient regard for history, or conservatism with a healthy regard for critical thinking, and perhaps you reach common ground.