[ricpic]

Although I agree with this article I have one quibble. Must you be religious to be conservative? I am not a believer. But experience has taught me that man's nature (and mine) is deeply flawed; what the religious would call fallen. It is from that realization that humility, and conservatism, flow. After all, if man is flawed, a resistance to unchecked power in the name of some utopian goal, follows. That is the essence of the conservative temperament.

All I am saying, is that conservatism's ranks would be greatly enlarged, if it were not equated exclusively with those who have religious belief.

[fporretto]

Even though I know many non-religious conservatives like yourself, I feel that the essential thesis of the article is metaphorically true -- and that you have the right of it as well.

"God," as used here, is the source of invariant laws that cannot be swept aside at whim or repealed by an act of some legislature. Such laws can only proceed from a fundamental, objective reality that inheres in all things. Catholics, among others, call it Natural Law and strive to conform to it.

If you believe in such a Law, then you must also accept that there are inescapable consequences for trying to violate it -- that your intentions, no matter how benign, are essentially irrelevant. It's an expression of humility, an admission that your powers and understanding are finite.

Therein lies the cleavage between conservatives and liberals. No liberal will admit that intentions don't matter in determining the effects from a specified cause. No liberal will admit that there are processes beyond his ability to curb by political means.

It's less a religious matter, strictly speaking, than a matter of self-exaltation.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

experience has taught me that man's nature (and mine) is deeply flawed; what the religious would call fallen. It is from that realization that humility, and conservatism, flow.

Quite.

It is also true that Christian doctrine teaches that our sin is simultaneously crucial--implying seperation from God--and unimportant, because accounted for by the blood of Christ to those whose humility allows them to accept God's gift of it.

And that such humility is itself a gift of God, in the person of the Holy Spirit.

[DPB101]

Although I agree with this article I have one quibble. Must you be religious to be conservative?

Not that I see. For reasons I cannot fathom however, many secular conservatives see those who are faithful as a threat. I don't understand that. They should be allies. The more people who look to a higher power than the state, the better off everyone is. Rather than encourage believers in their faith, secular conservatives seem to spend more time arguing with them, calling them superstitious or irrational and trying to draw them away from their faith.

Of course this goes the other way too...but Christians do have a duty to proselytize--doing so is an integral part of their faith. Secular conservatives may feel such an impluse but there is really no reason for it. Better off to let believers be and be glad they aren't looking to government to solve all their problems.

[alnick]

Although I agree with this article I have one quibble. Must you be religious to be conservative?

The article does not imply anything of the kind. Ann's quote is, "Conservatives, by and large, believe in God."

No one said that it's a requirement.

[evad]

Although I agree with this article I have one quibble. Must you be religious to be conservative?

I think that's a "major" quibble and I find myself in the same position. Although I consider myself a staunch conservative my logic and intellect will not permit me to believe in many of the dogmas of the various religions.

Belief in a divine being is one thing. Belief in religion is totally different...IMO.

[robertpaulsen]

John Adams had some great things to say about it:

"It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. Religion and virtue are the only foundations ... of republicanism and of all free governments."

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion . ... Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

[shiva]

All I am saying, is that conservatism's ranks would be greatly enlarged, if it were not equated exclusively with those who have religious belief.

What do you suggest?

[MississippiMan]

I make a motion that every believer reading this pray that you, ricpic, WILL become a believer. :-)

Happy 4th, my friend.

MM

[Canadian Outrage]

No, You don't have to be "religious" to be Conservative. You can be fiscally conservative but morally bankrupt!! Christianity and religion are NOT the same thing. Religion, which I abhor is nothing but a man made set of rules and regulations. Christianity, on the other hand, is a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. Huge Difference. Jesus himself, called the religious folk, snakes and vipers, white washed sepulchres full of dead men's bones.!! It pays to know the difference.