Ethan Walker
Ross Douthat is a conservative American author, New York Times columnist, and film critic for the National Review. He converted to Catholicism as a teenager and has since written extensively on the topic, including the book To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism. Douthat has been described as a conservative Catholic, and his writing often reflects this viewpoint, such as in his criticism of liberal Catholicism and support for banning abortion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political affiliation | Conservative |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Religious views | Anti-porn, pro-abstinence, pro-life |
| Religious tolerance | Has gay friends |
| Religious texts | Fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis |
| Religious upbringing | Converted to Catholicism as a teenager |
| Religious texts written | "To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism" |
| Religious criticism | Critic of cultural, political, and religious liberalism |
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What You'll Learn
Douthat's conversion to Catholicism
Ross Douthat is a conservative Catholic Christian and columnist for the New York Times. He is also an author, having written several books on topics such as religion, politics, and society.
Douthat was born on November 28, 1979, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. As an adolescent, he converted to Pentecostalism and then, along with his family, to Catholicism. Douthat has cited the writings of C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and J. R. R. Tolkien as influences on his conversion to Catholicism.
Douthat's mother played a significant role in his religious upbringing, as she was chronically ill when he was young and had an intense religious experience at a faith healing service that redirected her own spiritual journey. This influenced the entire family, as they embarked on a religious pilgrimage through various denominations of American Christianity, starting as Episcopalians and then exploring evangelical and Pentecostal churches.
In his writing, Douthat expresses concern about the decline of religion in America and the need for a consistent and coherent church teaching. He has also described himself as a "conservative Catholic," acknowledging the tension between his political and religious beliefs.
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Douthat's views on abortion
Ross Douthat is a conservative Catholic columnist for the New York Times. He is also a film critic for National Review and contributes articles to The Wall Street Journal, GQ, and Slate. Douthat has written extensively on religion, politics, and society, and is the author of several books, including "The Decadent Society: How We Became the Victims of Our Own Success" and "To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism".
Douthat's stance on abortion reflects his commitment to the consistency and coherence of Catholic church teachings. He identifies as a "conservative Catholic," indicating a strong alignment between his political and religious beliefs. While he acknowledges the tension between Catholicism and political factions, he advocates for a consistent life ethic that opposes abortion, as evidenced by his description of abortion as a "unique form of murder."
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Douthat's views on Pope Francis
Ross Douthat is a conservative Catholic and a columnist for the New York Times. He has written extensively on religion, politics, and society. In 2018, Douthat authored the book "To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism," in which he reflects on Pope Francis's papacy and its impact on the Catholic Church.
Douthat acknowledges that Pope Francis's papacy was a period of significant change and modernization within the Catholic Church. The Pope's willingness to engage in debates about controversial issues, such as the role of women in the Church and the Church's response to the sexual revolution, is recognised by Douthat. He describes the Francis era as a "crucial experiment" for Western civilization, facing both external threats and internal divisions.
Douthat highlights the tension between conservative Catholics and those who embrace change. He suggests that Pope Francis's efforts to modernize the Church have provoked division, with some traditionalists feeling that their worldview is no longer respected. Douthat himself has expressed concern about the direction in which Pope Francis is leading the Church, particularly regarding the potential impact of changes in Church teachings on controversial issues.
In an episode of "Interesting Times," Douthat engages in a conversation with Reverend James Martin, a Jesuit priest, to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis. Douthat acknowledges that Pope Francis's papacy was tumultuous, often pitting the Pope against his own bishops and cardinals in arguments about the extent and direction of change within Roman Catholicism.
While Douthat recognizes the significance of Pope Francis's papacy, he also cautions that the outcome of these changes is uncertain. He suggests that the Pope's legacy will determine whether he is remembered as a hero or a tragic figure who betrays the Church and civilization.
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Douthat's views on liberal Catholicism
Ross Douthat is a conservative Catholic and a columnist for The New York Times. He is also the author of several books, including "To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism" (2018) and "Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious" (2025). In his writing, Douthat has expressed criticism of liberal Catholicism, arguing that it is always chasing culture but lacks its own distinct agenda. He also accuses liberals of expecting God to conform to their sins, rather than the other way around.
Douthat's critique of Pope Francis and his papacy has attracted significant attention. He characterises Francis as a "Trojan Horse" determined to implement a liberal reform agenda in the Church. Douthat sees this as a conundrum for conservative Catholics, who typically revere papal authority. He acknowledges that Francis has modernised the Church, but expresses concern that his worldview is not respected.
Despite his criticism of liberal Catholicism, Douthat has written about the good in this form of Catholicism. He recognises that liberal Catholicism has forced conservatives to accept that changes in doctrine occur more frequently than they would like to admit. Additionally, Douthat's analysis of conflicting viewpoints within Catholicism is noteworthy. Instead of dismissing those he disagrees with, he attempts to understand their perspectives.
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Douthat's views on chronic Lyme disease
Ross Douthat is a conservative Catholic and a New York Times columnist. He is also an author, with his book "The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery" detailing his five-year struggle with chronic Lyme disease.
Douthat's battle with Lyme disease began in the summer of 2015 when he and his family moved from Washington, D.C., to a farmhouse in Connecticut. He developed a mysterious and devastating sickness that left him sleepless, crippled, and wracked with pain. After months of seeing doctors and not finding a solution, he was finally diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, a condition that, according to CDC definitions, does not officially exist.
Douthat describes the reality of living with chronic illness, including Lyme disease, long-haul COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, or any other similar condition, as genuinely devastating. He highlights the fact that chronic illnesses are often initially regarded as forms of hysteria and hypochondria, and it can take a long time for them to be recognized as having pathogenic and physical causes. This was the case with multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome, and Douthat notes that even long-haul COVID symptoms are facing similar skepticism and uncertainty.
Douthat also addresses misconceptions about Lyme disease, such as the belief that it can be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. In reality, some doctors offer treatment for chronic Lyme disease using combinations of antibiotics until symptoms abate. He acknowledges the controversy surrounding Lyme disease, including a conspiracy theory about how it spread, and emphasizes that it is an ancient pathogen found in both the United States and Western Europe.
Douthat's book has resonated with many readers who have experienced similar struggles with chronic illnesses and the challenges of navigating mainstream medicine. However, some medical professionals have expressed concern about Douthat endorsing potentially dangerous practices without scientific backing. Despite this, his book has been praised for its vulnerability, insightfulness, and honest portrayal of the human condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ross Douthat is a conservative Catholic. He converted to Catholicism as a teenager and has described his conversion as being influenced by the writing of C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and J. R. R. Tolkien.
Ross Douthat is an author and a columnist for The New York Times. He writes about religion, politics, and society.
Ross Douthat is a conservative. He has written in support of banning abortion and is an often-persuasive critic of cultural, political, and religious liberalism.
As a Catholic, Ross Douthat believes that faith and reason are friends rather than rivals. He has a strong intellectual commitment to the idea that church teaching should be consistent and coherent.
Ross Douthat has written several books, including "The Decadent Society" (2020), "Grand New Party" (2008), and "To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism" (2018).
