When it comes to conservatism in the Republican context, it doesn't get any better for me than Barry Goldwater. Having had some recent debate with fellow conservatives/Republicans on issues and matters of a social nature, I am reminded of the musings of Goldwater. As well, I feel vindicated knowing that my displeasure with much of the social conservative agenda is warranted.
"On religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both."
"I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in "A," "B," "C" and "D." Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of "conservatism.""
You are greatly missed Senator Goldwater.
4 comments:
Barry Goldwater...
The last true conservative.
He was a bit prescient, wasn't he?
Both he an Ayn Rand. Both of whom I admire immensely.
As Ayn Rand pointed out in the preface to the 25th anniversary edition of The Fountainhead, which I am presently reading, ethics has always kind of been the province of religion. And it all goes back to altruist ethics. Cf. The Virtue of Selfishness.
I am a Protestant and attend a Methodist church in West St. Paul, where I live (it's down the street, how convenient). Notwithstanding, I am vehemently opposed to the kind of crapola the relgious right tries to push and how they try to get in bed with poltics and legislate morality from a Judeo-Christian viewpoint.
My dad, Steve Hiatt who lives in Key West recently had an hour-long phone conversation with me. We were talking about the ACLU (I'm a registered Democrat turning more and more moderate and maybe even conservative) and I pitch the crap in the circular file immediately. Anyway, my dad asked me what the Founding Fathers meant, what their intentions were regarding the separation of church and state as codified in the Constitution. He made a bet with me. I said I probably didn't know and I said, Dad I took American history and American literature at the U of M. Yes, I do know.
Separation of church and state simply means that there shall be no NATIONAL religion or church. The fathers came mostly from England and many were not Anglicans and were persecuted. So the fathers wanted to prevent that in the colonies.
Most people in America and fucking stupid and don't know history. Case closed.
My dad was impressed that I knew the correct answer.
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