I think that libertarians and religious/moral conservatives agree in the related concepts of limited government, subsidiarity, federalism, and decentralization of power. Those that want a big government solution, a solution based on coercion and not free will, are neither conservative nor libertarian; they are Leftist totalitarian frauds.
Instead of fighting over moral issues, conservatives and libertarians should be fighting for decentralized small government. Leftists & totalitarians desperately need to create a rift between a necessary and natural alliance of those that believe in limited government, but differ in moral views.
In fact, I believe that traditional conservatives should like to see a country where states take a different approach to moral issues. This exercise in free will among individuals that could move from state to state would be the best way to demonstrate the benefits and advantages of a morally upright state/community.
Only to the degree that Christians have been imbued with libertarian principles as exampled in our founding documents, and as demonstrated by our founding fathers (whether those Christians know it or not). Religion (in contrast to faith) is at it's core a form of control, which, at the core, makes every religion a form of government. No government wants to be limited and decentralized, because it necessarily thwarts the very thing it's made to do. The efficiency of control IS centralized and IS coercive.
So it is not natural for religion to adhere to the limits of libertarian thought, any more than any other governmental system. And IMHO, it is that libertarian strain in this country's founding that limits religion's coercive effect, and that I think, is of great merit.
In fact, I believe that traditional conservatives should like to see a country where states take a different approach to moral issues. This exercise in free will among individuals that could move from state to state would be the best way to demonstrate the benefits and advantages of a morally upright state/community.
That is perfectly said, and is in line with the precepts that founded this nation.