I'll try to honestly examine your questions if you will honestly examine one of mine.
What is the relevance of this in the context of conservative political activism?
If you're implying I need to change my religious beliefs in order to bring them into line with conservative political philosophy, then you need to explain how founding documents and principles of the Republic came to include the writings and ideas of men like Thomas Paine, and what it is exaclty we're supposed to be trying to "conserve".
....We hold these truths self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
If we as a nation perceived life to be created by God and in His image it would be hard to imagine how we would kill 45 million babies, or for that matter, create a political and social system, as well as codifying into law a society vested in death from birth to old age.
But my interest is in truth, and that will serve anyone well whether in science, phylosophy, politics, or law.
I do not imply you need to change your religious beliefs, other than be honest with yourself regarding truth.