So yes if the sociologists are correct then it is the cohabitors prior beliefs, attitudes and habits rather than the cohabitation itself that leads to a greater incidence of divorce down the road when they get married.
My point throughout this thread has not been to try and put forth a coherent argument against cohabitation, and I'm not at all motivated to criticize people just to get my jollies.
I was just making the point that it would seem that all self-described conservatives should at least all agree that cohabitation is a bad idea.
And so I believe that my position stands because I am not talking about the practice of cohabitation but the attitudes and beliefs of those who have no problem entering into cohabitative relationships: the sort of people who think cohabitation is OK are not the sort of people who call themselves conservative.
This site is called FreeRepublic. The "Republic" part is just as important as the "Free" part. Freedom for freedom's sake is pure nonsense. Conservative libertarians who want the government to interfere as little as possible in their lives, while simultaneously allowing themselves to be guided by the great truths and traditions of Western Civilization should have no problem hanging out here and enjoying the debates and discussions.
But those libertarians who believe that noone should be able to tell them what to do ... no how ... no ways ... are just doomed to constant silly sophomorish argumentation with the vast majority of Freepers.
The facts seem to dispute your erroneous assertion. In this thread alone no less that 5 FReepers have declared that they themselves cohabitated, and many said they had no problem with it. Who are you to say that they are not the sort of people call themselves conservatives?
Just wanted to let you know that I don’t agree with you on this, but I’m enjoying your well-written posts on this thread.