Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Conservative and Liberal Views on religion.

Jinn · 02-16-2006, 09:36 AM

I believe political affiliation and religious preference are mutually exclusive ideals, so I fail to see the premise of the OP.

If there are non-religious and religious Liberals, and non-religious and religious Conservatives, how is there any link (correlative or causative) between religious or political views? In order for the idea that "conservatives view religion as a tradition, whereas liberals do not" to be valid, you have to accept that link. I would think any relation you could draw between the two groups would be based on how YOU interpret religion, not how others do.

Futhermore, as many have said and will likely continue to say, I find the labels conservative and liberal to be absolutely worthless beyond their dictionay meaning; that of "resistant to change" and "seeking to change current conditions." Unless there's some sort of Pact that clearly aligns conservatives with believing in X, and liberals believing in Y, there is so much cross-blending and mixed beliefs in both sides to make the label irrelevant. The only task it makes easier is objectifying and stereotyping -- such as "liberals don't believe in religion as a tradition." You cannot make that assumption without stereotyping, because they are NOT a unified group.

I prefer to change the current condition, because I seek social progress rather than social equilibrium. That makes me liberal, but it tells you nothing about my feelings on abortion, religion, or any other facet of politics for that matter.

I really don't mean to say "this argument has no premise" rather than addressing your positions, but I can't even see the premise being valid.

You'd be correct in saying that Conservatives would be more likely to value traditional religion (since they prefer not to change) and Liberals are more likely to value dynamic religion (since they value the ability to change) -- but isn't that inherent in the definitions of the two terms?

02-16-2006, 09:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	I believe political affiliation and religious preference are mutually exclusive ideals, so I fail to see the premise of the OP. If there are non-religious and religious Liberals, and non-religious and religious Conservatives, how is there any link (correlative or causative) between religious or political views? In order for the idea that "conservatives view religion as a tradition, whereas liberals do not" to be valid, you have to accept that link. I would think any relation you could draw between the two groups would be based on how YOU interpret religion, not how others do. Futhermore, as many have said and will likely continue to say, I find the labels conservative and liberal to be absolutely worthless beyond their dictionay meaning; that of "resistant to change" and "seeking to change current conditions." Unless there's some sort of Pact that clearly aligns conservatives with believing in X, and liberals believing in Y, there is so much cross-blending and mixed beliefs in both sides to make the label irrelevant. The only task it makes easier is objectifying and stereotyping -- such as "liberals don't believe in religion as a tradition." You cannot make that assumption without stereotyping, because they are NOT a unified group. I prefer to change the current condition, because I seek social progress rather than social equilibrium. That makes me liberal, but it tells you nothing about my feelings on abortion, religion, or any other facet of politics for that matter. I really don't mean to say "this argument has no premise" rather than addressing your positions, but I can't even see the premise being valid. You'd be correct in saying that Conservatives would be more likely to value traditional religion (since they prefer not to change) and Liberals are more likely to value dynamic religion (since they value the ability to change) -- but isn't that inherent in the definitions of the two terms? __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel