Is there any "conflict" between conservative atheists and liberal atheists? (believe, Christ)

[Sonrise]

Hi,
One of my really close friends in LA is pro life and believes that marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman. He professes atheism. A few months ago I started a thread here asking if there were pro life atheists and if they received any flack for their stance, and some said that they did, while others said it wasn't an issue amongst their atheist friends. So, I was just wondering, is their any tension between socially and fiscally conservative atheists and more liberally minded ones? Just curious. Thanks

[Fullback32]

Hmmm, I don't know about atheists, but I am agnostic and a conservative, so pretty close. But it truly is how one defines conservative. I am of the Libertarian view. I believe highly in fiscal conservatism and also think the government should be small and stay out of people's way. On the social side, I think people should be left alone to do pretty much what they want so long as they are not breaking laws. As what conservatism has come to mean today, then I am not a conservative, yet at the same time, I am not a liberal. Libertarianism, is much closer to what conservatism originally meant and definitely what republicanism (notice the little "r") meant when Jefferson was President.

Do I clash with atheist liberals? Certainly and it's the same clash I have with Christian conservatives. Liberals, to me, are the opposite side of the same coin as Christian conservatives. Liberals want to tell everybody what they should say, what to think, whether or not you should smoke, what you should eat, whether or not you should own firearms, how you HAVE to accept this or that (not realizing the difference between tolerance and acceptance), how you should worship (or not actually), how the government should do everything and BTW hard-working tax payer, you have to pay for it all. I see no real difference in them and the Christian conservative...they just have a different slant on it.

"I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work" -- George Carlin

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by Fullback32

Hmmm, I don't know about atheists, but I am agnostic and a conservative. But it truly is how one defines conservative. I am of the Libertarian view. I believe highly in fiscal conservatism and also think the government should be small and stay out of people's way. On the social side, I think people should be left alone to do pretty much what they want so long as they are not breaking laws. As what conservatism has come to mean today, then I am not a conservative, yet at the same time, I am not a liberal. Libertarianism, is much closer to what conservatism originally meant and definitely what republicanism (notice the little "r") meant when Jefferson was President.

Do I clash with atheist liberals? Certainly and it's the same clash I have with Christian conservatives. Liberals, to me, are the opposite side of the same coin as Christian conservatives. Liberals want to tell everybody what they should say, what to think, whether or not you should smoke, what you should eat, whether or not you should own firearms, how you HAVE to accept this or that (not realizing the difference between tolerance and acceptance), how you should worship (or not actually), how the government should do everything and BTW hard-working tax payer, you have to pay for it all. I see no real difference in them and the Christian conservative...they just have a different slant on it.

"I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work" -- George Carlin

Thank you for your answer

[PurpleLove08]

Most atheists I know are pretty liberal.
I am sure there are some conservatives ones out there but I don't see why Atheism makes one liberal or conservative. It just means you don't believe in god, nothing more, nothing less.

As a liberal, I don't think I'm like conservative Christians even though some people may feel that way.

I have conflict with most Conservatives and Republicans and them being atheist wouldn't change that.

[Fullback32]

Originally Posted by PurpleLove08

Most atheists I know are pretty liberal.
I am sure there are some conservatives ones out there but I don't see why Atheism makes one liberal or conservative. It just means you don't believe in god, nothing more, nothing less.

As a liberal, I don't think I'm like conservative Christians even though some people may feel that way.

Good first point! Unfortunately the Religious Right tends to lump atheist = liberal together don't they? On the other side, I hear many liberals equate Conservative = Religious. Neither of those are true, obviously. The atheist/agnostics I know tend to be more Libertarian...IOW, social issues are not of anybody elses' business and certainly not the damn government's. It could be because of my neck of the woods though. I will never understand why some folks get all bent out of shape about things that do not directly affect them.

Touche! Call it the Uber-Left then. I should have defined that better.

I suppose it's that when I think of the word "liberal", I see Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barak Obama, Barney Frank, and the Hollywood and academic elitists. I do not like them telling me what to do or what's best for me anymore than I like Pat Robertson and his kind doing it. That's what I meant by all that.

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by Fullback32

Good first point! Unfortunately the Religious Right tends to lump atheist = liberal together don't they?

Touche! Call it the Uber-Left then. I should have defined that better.

There are professing Christians that are liberal and professing Christians that are conservative and truth be told, there are conflicts between the two and I was wondering if the same holds true in atheist circles, just wanted raw, honest dialogue. I was just curious; no agenda.

[scarmig]

Yes there is. I've been in nearly knock-down drag-out fights with other atheists over politics, usually gun control, health care, taxes, and the like.

I'm a classical liberal in the European sense so I clash with both sides of American politics, conservative and (American) liberalism.

[Fullback32]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

There are professing Christians that are liberal and professing Christians that are conservative and truth be told, there are conflicts between the two and I was wondering if the same holds true in atheist circles, just wanted raw, honest dialogue. I was just curious; no agenda.

Didn't think you had one at all. I think scamrig said it best. It's over the politics, so Left and Right will clash over those things for sure regardless of religious stance.

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by scarmig

Yes there is. I've been in nearly knock-down drag-out fights with other atheists over politics, usually gun control, health care, taxes, and the like.

I'm a classical liberal in the European sense so I clash with both sides of American politics, conservative and (American) liberalism.

Thanks for your answer

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by Fullback32

Didn't think you had one at all. I think scamrig said it best. It's over the politics, so Left and Right will clash over those things for sure regardless of religious stance.

Oh, okay, sorry, sometimes intent is hard to read online.