Sarah Ott describes Ishmael as a conservative puritan. While Ishmael does identify himself as a puritan, I think there are numerous textual references that stand as significant evidence against his conservatism.
Ismael once prays, with Queequeg, to an Idol. This is a charitable interpretation of the bible, not a hallmark of a conservative christian.
In reference to Queequeg, Ishmael, on page 57 says: "I'll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy." Not only does he willingly befriend a pagan, but the self critical view of Christianity is almost exclusively not a quality found in a conservative.
Again, near the beginning of chapter seventeen, Ismael decides not to interrupt Queequeg's Ramadan because Christians ought not disturb anyone's manner of worship and that Christians ought not feel religiously superior to any others. Such religious superiority is certainly often the viewpoint of conservative Christians.
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