In which I respond to a post arguing that conservatism is “unnatural.”
Now, not all conservatives are theists/Christians, but it’s a safe bet to say that almost all of them are. It’s hard to justify homophobia and the like without some form of divine sponsorship.
I think atheists tend to be liberal because conservatism is a bit unnatural and oppressive, thus requiring some form of childhood coercion and indoctrination to take root in most adherents.
What is unnatural about conservatism? Burke (the father of conservatism) argued that most of the people in the world do not rationalize their actions, they rely on tradition and history to guide them. For example, I drive on the right side of the road. I don’t think, “I should drive on the right side of the road, because everyone else is, and I don’t want to hit them.” I don’t think about it at all. I just do it, because I’ve always done it that way. If I thought about every single action that I did every day, if I rationalized the way I tie my shoes or put on my pants or shave, I would stay in bed like Oblomov and dream my life away.
Tradition matters because it makes life easier. I don’t have to rationalize my every single movement because we’ve (humans) have been doing things this way for a long time.
In other words, to be a conservative is to follow tradition. This, of course, is the most natural thing in the world.
To be a radical is to desire for change, for improvement in the human way, for removal of all the old values. These things are unnatural. Liberalism, not conservatism, is unnatural.
Unless you feel oppressed by the requirement to drive on the right side of the road. In which case, you’re right to be an atheist, because God Almighty could not help you.
Filed under: conservative | Tagged: atheist, conservative, God, liberal
Ben:
We are not discussing things like driving on the right side of the road. We are discussing political issues and values.
Also, you seem to be mistaking liberalism for anarchy.
Throughout the years, conservatism has endorsed things like slavery, segregation, homophobia, and prayer in school. It’s an aggressive, oppressive version of an “don’t fix what ain’t broke” mentality, as you have demonstrated in your overreliance on the word “tradition”.
The thing, though, is that when conservatives’ pet issues are discussed or challenged, conservatives can become incredibly passionate in defending their old-fashioned values.
And the conservative side of an issue almost always oppresses someone else.*
I think it is unnatural to fight so hard to deny other people the rights they deserve. It’s a lack of empathy, desire to make things better, and open-mindedness, all of which are key for productive, functional members of society.
There you go. Unnatural.
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*Although I don’t see how being against gun control takes anyone’s rights – hence the “almost always” bit.
Check out the reply at http://thehappyconservative.com/2008/04/30/liberals-for-liberty-a-novel-idea/
Freedom is Fun!
That’s why adherers to socialism can never be happy. It’s a system that disempowers the individual and conjures up grievances. Conservatives, (to the entent they support freedom), are happier because they are directly engaged in problem-solving. Freedom and free enterprise engages and employs the imagination and the spirit. So learn to be happy, learn to be free.
Sincerely,
Kevin Degidon
Founder: Youth USA