The New Inquiry dubs itself as a space to “enrich cultural and public life.” The site has received a lot of big-time attention in its short run and so far it seems to merit the hype. The editors, to my great surprise, recently featured a thoughtful interview with an Anglican nun named Sister Nancy Ruth. The interview touches upon issues of femininity, beauty, modesty and fashion (the habit) from a Christian religious point of view.
The editors wisely understand that a discussion space that either ignores, or mocks religious faith, is walling itself and its readers off from a fundamental part of what it means to be human for millions of people today. Editor-in-Chief Rachel Rosenfelt was clear in a recent interview with the LA Review of Books that what matters is good writing and not any particular agenda in the culture wars:
“The guiding principle in the editorial process is: Is this boring? Is this safe? If the answer is yes, then it’s not for us. We’re not offering a platform for any one political group to rally around.”
photo credit: mademoiselle suzanne
