Posted on 04/29/2010 8:58:35 PM PDT by se_ohio_young_conservative
Let me say first of all that I am a Christian with a strong faith in God. I grew up going to church with my grandpa. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life at a young age.
My wife was raised in a strict christian home. But I think that worked against her in some ways. I think certain people in her family turned her off on religion at points along the way. She is now an atheist. She is a great mom to our 16 month old twins. She is an awesome wife. I love her so much and I will never let it destroy our marriage. So I have been very open and tolerant of her views while praying for her like crazy at the same time.
She has been mostly apolitical and I guess she has been more intrested in recent months watching Fox News with me and listening to the radio. She is very much against abortion. She knows that Obama is a disaster for this country.
It came up in another thread. We have been watching Glenn Beck. and my wife likes him at times. But he really loses her when he goes off into a deep religious discussion. Here I am trying to get her to see and understand things that are going on, and religion comes up, and she sort of tunes out and changes the subject.
That got me thinking. I know this country was founded by men of faith. I know many of us conservatives are religious. But can't a person be a conservative, pro life and atheist ? and still love their country just as much as I do ? ... How many out there are like my wife ?
I tend to think so for sure. But at the same time. I don't want to remove our religious traditions either. They are very important. Our country needs them now more than ever. But I think people like my wife are important to our cause as well. Men and women in their 20s, not religious, but conservative on many issues and they don't even label or know they are conservative. So I guess the problem is.. We can't slip into a politically correct echo chamber, but at the same time we must carefully equate our christian traditions with religious freedom for all. Our rights come from God. and that includes the right not to be religious of course.
what do you say ?
That would be the wrong/evil individual who violates the rights of which you all were discussing the metaphysical source of.
MOST agnostics/atheists don't have a problem with Christmas or any of the religious holidays or traditions. In fact, I don't know any who would prevent anyone from praying or practicing any religion which does not harm another...or does not use the authority of the state to inculcate religion in the young.
Most atheist see the VALUE of religion in the social order...considering there's so many folks (and this is NOT a measure of intelligence) who need an external reference point.
You mean the bastard that created us eh?
It is interesting to note that the first sin, by which men fell from communion with God into our present state of sin, was believing Satan’s lie: “You shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
Mariner that seems to be your philosophy!
At least you own it instead of trying to pretend otherwise.
But if I were you it would bother me.
Certainly, you have a valid argument. But, that argument is not against me or what I believe.
We SHARE this point of view...that NO!...our children should not be forced to accept homos...and NO, we should not be forced to pay for the medical treatment of drug addicts.
However, NO, we do not have the right to tell someone what they can, or cannot, do when there's no harm to another.
Does your religion support that point of view? Does your politics?
Maybe you’re right! But I think it has alot to due with reason.
Why would a person in their right mind, wait 9 months and then decide to terminate a fully formed child?
The only reason that I can come up with is peer pressure!
You are living a make-believe world where you are your own judge. Not only is that a very conceited way to look at our world it is also rife with fallacy.
Yes. Morality is not derived exclusively from a belief in god. Wisdom is a great source of morals. Confucianism for example, is quite compatible with conservatism, and it is not based on a belief in god.
I think the opposite is more true, that is, a strong fundamentalist religious believer is less likely to make a good freedom loving conservative, since often they view other religions as anti god and look to suppress them.
Sir, you are absolutely correct. I have eaten from the tree of good and evil.
I'll accept my fate.
And, I'll do my best to harm nobody who does not seek to harm me.
“The only reason that I can come up with is peer pressure!”
Selfishness. Horrible, complete selfishness.
I'm not trying to pick a fight with anyone. Many of the founders were men of faith, but some very important ones really were not. Many were politicians who recognized the political value of conventional religious positions. And even many who were orthodox Christians would not have understood the Fideism espoused by some FReepers. The God of Nature appealed to in the Declaration might have been the God of Abraham, but he came to the Founders through the Enlightenment, and He could just as easily be a God embraced by the likes of, say, Barry Lynn. A pretty broad audience, that.
And then there's the Treaty of Tripoli...
We are sort of hijacking this thread -
yes I think an atheist can be politically conservative -
but I am interested in knowing your solution to the following:
A young woman in violently raped and impregnated. Who should care for the child? I wonder how your personal philosophy would come to bear on such a situation.
It is these type of genuine dilemma where I think an atheist libertarian doesn’t have an answer. But I am interested in what you think.
That also!
No, you are living in a make-believe world where your judge is somebody you've never met or heard speak or even seen a sliver of.
And, you are the conceited one to suggest your point of view and beliefs are the only valid ones.
At least I was willing to allow your beliefs without disparaging you...and CERTAINLY without voting for anyone who would compel any behavior on you besides "don't initiate harm".
You can’t find any reference to God in the Constitution, either. Please read what James Madison, father of the Constitution and author of the Bill of Rights said on the topic. He very much DID believe in freedom from religion. To say otherwise is simply a lie.
There is no point of a community if everyone is self-centered and self-serving. If your goal is to use the fruits of community to selfishly benefit yourself, such as wasting nutricious food and fuel on booze-making, I would have no problem introducing you to the wilderness.
That was supposed to be the purpose of the Republic. You can make a town of drunk sex-addicts over there, and we'll make a town that dosen't suck over here.
Remember that Christianity is global, we have African ministers bringing the holy spirit back to the West for instance. It never dies.
The Episcopalians for instance are learning that their African brothers and sisters are closer to the bible than the average Englander Episcopalian, and they insist on the bible.
Here is an unrelated photo of Sarah Palin Being blessed by an African Minister
First, the young woman...and her extended family.
Second, if she is part of a "clan" or "religion", that support would be invaluable. Yes, I have TREMENDOUS respect for the Mormons and how they take care of their own)
Third, and as a last resort, the state through taxation...but what a truly sad world when the first two option fail. They are the right options for the child and the mother.
I believe that you will find the power to be forgiven and find the power to be one of the most generous folks America has ever seen. :^)
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