Atheists can't be completely conservative. The reason for that is that the definition of conservative is that they believe in religion being a strong part of the government.
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From www.m.w.com :
Main Entry: con·ser·va·tism
Pronunciation: \k?n-'s?r-v?-?ti-z?m\
Function: noun
Date: 1832
1 capitalized a : the principles and policies of a Conservative party b : the Conservative party
2 a : disposition in politics to preserve what is established b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
3 : the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
Funny, I don't see "religion" anywhere in that definition.
"Atheists can't be completely conservative. The reason for that is that the definition of conservative is that they believe in religion being a strong part of the government."
I don't think you and I are working from the same definition.
I'm pretty sure that you've confused conservative with neo-con Republican Christian fundamentalist .
Like any sane person, your founding fathers didn't want a strong role for religion in government. That's why your Constitution contains the First Amendment.
Why don't you read it sometimes?
For what it's worth, there are atheist conservatives.
I guess it depends on what you mean by "completely conservative." If you mean "right-wing Christian Republican theocratist homophobe" then I tend to agree with you. But then that's not the true definition of conservative.
BTW, I am a conservative atheist. I have moderate social values, and conservative economic values. But I don't believe in any gods and I sure as hell don't want any religion in our government.
Umberto Eco had my favorite set of definitions according to a two way matrix:
Government interference is OK in:
Morals and money: Socialist
Morals but not money: Conservative
Money but not morals: Liberal
Neither: Libertarian
I don't think you know the definition of conservative Steve. Please refer to the definition provided by tracer.
I think the word you are looking for is Republican, because there is another conservative political group, Libertarians, that are also conservative, but not as religiously orientied.
Back in school, if we got detention, we had to sit there and copy out the definitions of words from the dictionaries.
I don't think my principal is still alive, but if he is, THANK YOU
"Atheists can't be completely conservative. The reason for that is that the definition of conservative is that they believe in religion being a strong part of the government"
Christopher Hitchens would like a word with you, Steve.
You're absolutely correct, Steve! That is why all TRUE Americans are God-fearing Puritans!
Wait, what? You're a Southern Baptist? Well, enjoy Hell, liberal.
"Atheists can't be completely conservative"
Oh, and Edward Heath? He was avowedly Atheist. He was once elected Prime Minister of my country (UK). He was the leader of the Conservative Party.
Your call, Steve.
>>"The reason for that is that the definition of conservative is that they believe in religion being a strong part of the government."
No, those are NEO-conservatives. From what I've gleaned, the Republican Party has only really been courting fundagelicals since the mid-to-late 70's so that it could gain power, and you guys have bought all their sweet talk hook, line, and sinker. Tell me, have the Republicans ever actually done anything to further you guys' moral agenda? No, and they NEVER WILL. However, they DO know what to say to you to get you to vote for them, and you (along with the very wealthy) have almost become their sole means of staying in power.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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