Look, a Liberal at Free Republic!

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

Hi. Most people would consider me a "Liberal".

I'm not posting here to argue or incite a flame war. I am not posting to change anyone's mind about anything. I am posting here because I want to understand the Conservative viewpoint. I'm here to listen, but I have some questions.

I've read the Conservative FAQ at

http://www.conservatism.com/CustomPage.asp?WEBSVCID=1155&SID={8D0C2C23-7287-400D-ADB9-0EF7C5A3056A}&MID=118

I don't know if that document truly represents conservatism or not, but it seemed consistent with what I've seen in popular media (and on the web). But it raised some questions for me. I was hoping visitors of Free Republic would be willing to give their personal viewpoints on a few questions.

Here are my questions. The word "you" here refers to any conservative willing to post their opinion. (I got most of these questions by reading what others have said about conservatives, so that's why some of my questions sound like a test.)

1. Do you believe in God?

2. Do you believe Reason has limitations? If so, what are those limitations?

3. Did your father use corporal punishment to enforce discipline? (Were you whipped, beaten, or spanked when you misbehaved?) If so, how frequently? (Once per year? Once per day?)

4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "To be morally strong, you must be self-disciplined and self-denying. Otherwise, you are self-indulgent and such moral flabbiness ultimately helps the forces of evil."

5. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Punishment is nurturing in that it teaches discipline, self-reliance and respect for authority."

6. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Your poverty or your drug habit or your illegitimate children can be explained only as moral weakness and any discussion of social causes cannot be relevant."

7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The highest moral good is nurturance, including empathy, fairness and protection, but not painful punishment."

8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Obedience comes out of love and respect for the parent, not out of fear, and strength is in the service of nurturance."

9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "'Conservative tolerance for inequality' [as described by liberals], should, in fact, read intolerance for forced equality, and acceptance of the natural order of things in which inequality is generally the rule. "

10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The modern North American liberal is 'a keen advocate of change mainly to fulfill his/her ego needs -- needs for power, influence, self-advertisement, self-promotion and excitement.'"

11. Is it possible for a Liberal to be a good person? Is it possible for a Conservative to be a bad person?

12. Is morality (by which I mean right and wrong) absolute, as described in the bible, or is it relative?

13. On a scale of 1 to 10, are you happy in life (generally speaking)?

14. Which statement do you agree with more: "people are generally good and trustworthy" or "people are generally bad and will try to harm you"?

15. Is corporal punishment (discipline through whipping, beating, or spanking) an acceptable practice?

16. On a scale of 1 to 10, do have anxiety (or fear) in your life (on a day-to-day basis)?

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

Feel free to explain and elaborate your answers. I know this isn't a news story but I've seen similar posts by others, so I hope this is an acceptable forum for these questions. My sincerest apologies if it is not.

[Great_Dame]

Hi honey, thanks for stopping by! Before I consider answering any of your questions I need your help. Pleaase explain how any of the answers you are looking for will help you to understand conservatism. Your questions are about feelings and not about facts, therefore the answers to your questions will not help you to understand conservatism as it is about facts and not feelings.

I am not trying to incite an arguement, only to understand your perspective.

[Feiny]

Posting this in General Interest will not get you many replies.

[xsmommy]

for some reason, i thought you would like this thread.

[NeoCaveman]

for some reason, i thought you would like this thread.

We got one of these liber-al's here I see.....

[Argh]

A post very closely resembling this was posted sometime in the last couple of weeks by someone using a different name.

[NeoCaveman]

Before I take a crack at some of these I have to ask. Are you a psychology or philosphy student?

[Constitution Day]

Hmmm. Interesting.

I may have to check it out later tonight...I'm trying to get some stuff finished up here at work so we can go out to dinner.

[xsmommy]

i see a desire to categorize conservatives as unhappy authoritarians with a yen for physical punishment...

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'll be glad to answer the questions once you answer mine.

1. Do you suck you thumb?

2. Do you still wet the bed when you get scared?

3. Do you know who your father is?

I hope these questions don't offed you. The answers will help me better understand you.

[Argh]

Like the kinkier type of sadists? Then we'd better get Whyisa over here.

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Your questions are about feelings and not about facts, therefore the answers to your questions will not help you to understand conservatism as it is about facts and not feelings.

I am not trying to incite an arguement, only to understand your perspective."

Thanks for your reply.

It is true that I want to understand the feelings behind conservatism, because to me, that is necessary to understand the conservative viewpoint. Perhaps if I phrased my question: "What 'facts' make conservatism better than liberalism", you could explain your viewpoint in terms of "facts"?

I don't want to get bogged down in The Definition Game... I just want to understand.


Thanks,
The Liberal

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

Do you happen to have the link? I would love to read it...

--the liberal

[Argh]

Nope.

[NeoCaveman]

OK I'll take your test. These answers are mine alone and may or may not be indicative of others.

1. Do you believe in God?

Yes

2. Do you believe Reason has limitations? If so, what are those limitations?

There are things that simply can't be explained and need to be taken on faith. The classic question of "Why are we here" comes to mind

3. Did your father use corporal punishment to enforce discipline? (Were you whipped, beaten, or spanked when you misbehaved?) If so, how frequently? (Once per year? Once per day?)

Spanked on rare occasion.

4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "To be morally strong, you must be self-disciplined and self-denying. Otherwise, you are self-indulgent and such moral flabbiness ultimately helps the forces of evil."

Self discipline is a good discipline, wish I had more of it

5. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Punishment is nurturing in that it teaches discipline, self-reliance and respect for authority."

Sure as long its corrective and not sadistic

6. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Your poverty or your drug habit or your illegitimate children can be explained only as moral weakness and any discussion of social causes cannot be relevant."

Yup. There are people out there who can't read making money because they work hard and often.

7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The highest moral good is nurturance, including empathy, fairness and protection, but not painful punishment."

Nah, Life ain't fair.

8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Obedience comes out of love and respect for the parent, not out of fear, and strength is in the service of nurturance."

I'll go with it can come out of both and or either.

9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "'Conservative tolerance for inequality' [as described by liberals], should, in fact, read intolerance for forced equality, and acceptance of the natural order of things in which inequality is generally the rule. "

Absolutely

10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The modern North American liberal is 'a keen advocate of change mainly to fulfill his/her ego needs -- needs for power, influence, self-advertisement, self-promotion and excitement.'"

Yes. Especially power.

11. Is it possible for a Liberal to be a good person? Is it possible for a Conservative to be a bad person?

Yes on both

12. Is morality (by which I mean right and wrong) absolute, as described in the bible, or is it relative?

Absolute

13. On a scale of 1 to 10, are you happy in life (generally speaking)?

7.5

14. Which statement do you agree with more: "people are generally good and trustworthy" or "people are generally bad and will try to harm you"?

I'll pass on this one

15. Is corporal punishment (discipline through whipping, beating, or spanking) an acceptable practice?

Spanking, yes. The others no. 16. On a scale of 1 to 10, do have anxiety (or fear) in your life (on a day-to-day basis)?

2

[Conspiracy Guy]

We wouldn't want to bog you down so why don't you just imagine the answers and take them back to DU with you. Shooo!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Why are you lying duby?

[xsmommy]

i will answer you honestly and sincerely. i used to be a liberal. i gave money to Walter Mondale's campaign. then i grew up. and i mean that in the best possible way. it is extremely easy to be a liberal when you are a young college student.

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Are you a psychology or philosphy student?"

Heh... No, I am not, but I think I understand why you ask that question.

I am not a student. I work full time. If my questions reek of "phyche-speak" it's because many of the questions are based on statements made by either liberal or conservative writers or academics.

But obviously I have a personal interest in philosophy.


Thanks,
--the liberal

[xsmommy]

Spanked on rare occasion.

obviously not enough, else you wouldn't be begging for it constantly now... ; )