fromtheright

I am quite curious: are there any atheists among IIDB members who consider themselves conservatives? Never mind the validity of the conservative/liberal dichotomy--how many consider themselves conservative atheists? I know there are many of you who are pro-life, and many libertarians, but how many consider yourselves to be conservative?

(Mods, I wasn't sure which forum this should go to, so feel free to re-direct this if this isn't the right one)

ieyeasu

I have, in the past, considered myself a conservative. But to me, a conservative is one who strives to maintain the status quo, not the Bushites. Bush is a radical, an authoritarian at heart. And prior to his reign, authoritarianism wasn't the status quo.

I believe in Constitutional rights and Economic freedom, though, so most would consider me a libertarian.

meritocrat

I don't see how conservatism and theism have to be linked.

The crux of conservatism is about avoiding drastic change in society and is not wholly affiliated with religion.

RED DAVE

From meritocrat:

The crux of conservatism is blind faith in the market, authoritarian leadership or some other abstract, nondemocratic force, to solve all problems, yea like a god. This is religion.

RED DAVE

cjack

As opposed to blind faith in the dictatorship of the proletariat?


In response to the OP, I consider myself to be very conservative in some respects. I see no conflicts between my lack of faith and my relatively conservative views.

RED DAVE

From cjack:

I can't speak for other socialists and assorted leftists, but certainly don't have faith in the "dictatorship of the proletariat." Do I believe that, during a relatively short transition time, the working class will be the dominant class, as the capitalists are now? Yes? Do I believe the working class can do no wrong. No?

In any event, your response is a red herring.

Other of us do. I assert that your faith in the workings of the market as a solution to all social problems is faith unsupported by facts and, as such, constitutes religion.

RED DAVE

cjack

When did I express a faith that the "workings of the market" are a solution to ALL social problems?

???

RED DAVE

From cjack:

Sorry if I exaggerated your position. What, for instance, are your conservative, market-oriented solutions to, say, racism and pre-emptive war?

RED DAVE

cjack

Wow, could you make a few more assumptions about my position?

This is the problem...you should avoid the tendency to automatically equate conservatism with white racist/fundamentalist/militaristic ideals.


If you can't get past this basic prejudice, then we don't really have much to discuss, do we?

RED DAVE

From cjack:

cjack, what I asked you was to provide conservative solutions to these problems. I didn't accuse you of being . . .

RED DAVE