The Problem I Have with Social Conservatives and Religion

"Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous, treasonous in my opinion." --Rick Perry referring to Ben Bernanke, on a campaign stop in Iowa

Ok, Mr Perry, don't you think you're being a little melodramatic here? Before you go painting people as unpatriotic infidels, maybe you should think about the fact that there are a good number of Americans who don't believe in the same things you do.

The rise of Christian social conservatives representing the GOP disturbs me. Just the other day I saw a Pew poll saying that the unity between fiscal and social conservatives is getting stronger, based on one common point alone--a deep dislike and distrust of government. Mitt Romney, a centrist Republican, even hailed the Tea Party recently. It's not that I don't like conservatives. When it comes to fiscal conservatives I can't agree with their economic opinions, but I don't have anything against them personally. Social conservatives, I have bigger beef with, because social issues like abortion, gay rights, etc etc are by nature emotional issues. You can't really argue that with data or figures, and those who try to are just being dumb and not convincing anyone. The other thing about super right social conservatives like Bachmann and Perry that I can't accept is their untrammeled application of religious, i.e. Christian, beliefs on politics and governance. As an atheist and a liberal, I can't find a single thing in common with them. And we're supposed to be living in the same country. I don't want someone who I have nothing in common with to be my President. I'm sure there are many, many Americans who feel the same way I do. Just looking at my circle of friends, my family, the people I know, I don't think they would support a presidential candidate with those beliefs. And I know I live in LA, a bubble for liberals. I think if you polled even a Republican from the Carolinas they would not support someone so extreme. Well, if either of them secure the GOP nomination I'll just shake my head and make sure I vote in November. There is NO WAY (knock on wood) that they will make it to the White House. There just isn't. They don't have enough in common with voters like me, and they don't seem like they'll be able to temper themselves to appeal to a broader mass. Anyway...

Not to be too philosophical, but I wonder why people even question whether it's possible for morality to exist without the "guidance" of religion. I totally believe it. I am a living example. I have my own moral compass that evolved and stuck with me free of any religious beliefs. I know not to harm another person, not because the Bible says so, but because to me it's just wrong. I don't need religion to tell me to do good, to be honest, to be righteous. Other people who do good deeds inspire me. My parents inspire me. To be totally, brutally honest, if you're someone who needs religion to tell you what the "right" thing to do is, that is a weak conviction. If you know to do good because of some internal, even unexplained, source your compass will waver much less.

And that is what I really believe, served straight up. No frills, booyah!