Great site! I actually typed 'atheist conservative' into the search engine, wondering if it were possible that some people might be both, but not really thinking anything would come up! I've had the same experience at tea parties of feeling elated one minute and alien the next.

A question for the group here--I am making a documentary. It is called 'Life on the Ground'. The premise is that the 'giants'--the media, academia, and formal government-- are on mountaintops battling their polarized and furious battles, while the ordinary folk down on the ground are not really being represented by the giants. Instead, they get buried under the debris of the giants' battle. Most ordinary folks are not one-sided about everything. This site sure shows that it is possible to be what our media would portray as incompatible--atheism and conservatism, and more, that people CAN discuss civilly! I live in Arizona. Would anyone here be willing to be interviewed for the documentary? The style is that I and my fellow director/producer (when she can be in AZ) go to restaurants and converse with the interviewee--very casual.

I'm an Arizonan but I'm very private. I work in another state and go home every few weekends. My background is atheist conservative, although I do not automatically agree with all of the social conservative "morality" that conservatives are "supposed to" have. My morality is reason-based. Atheist conservatives are better thinkers than conservatives who blindly accept their imaginary entity. We do not blindly accept anything, including religious-based morality and values that the theistic conservatives have. Some of my lifestyle may seem leftist, although in terms of economics, I am a pure capitalist!

Hello Elyse,
I'd be wiling to be interviewed though I don't get to AZ often - I'm in Orange County, CA. admin at firefifty dot com
Gene

Hi folks! I was somberly searching the web trying to decide if I could bear attending the Glen Beck thing to add my head count to the "HEY GOVERNMENT! OVER HERE!!!!!!! without seeming to sign on to the "Jesus loves the little demonstrators" pledge. Finding you guys was a real uplift, and I decided I could attend the Glen thing and endure the god stuff, knowing that, upon my return home I could log on to your site and belong!!! Only have a few minutes to chat now, but I wanted to check in and see if there were others who bit the bullet and went to DC? If you did, (and even if you didn't) I'd like to hear from anyone who is still working on how we can take our place at the tea party (i.e. smaller gov, less tax, free enterprise, secure borders,pride in the country.... without feeling like we've caved in . I really don't fancy being a closet atheist/conservative forever. Look forward to hearing from one and all!!! Kate

I am disappointed in Glenn Beck. I watched a few of his shows. I do think he brings up a lot of issues other hosts would never bring up. But I think he exaggerates a bit. One show a few months ago was very scarey, kind of "conspiracy theory" scarey. The rally last weekend was a killer when he suggested America must turn to God. I said it once and will say it again. The mainstream Republicans embracing religion and religious values are shooting themselves in the foot when they have such a golden opportunity to grab the mainstream Americans who are realizing Omamanomics is failing. Everytime a Republican mentions God, several people decide not to vote.

Glen has some good ideas, but as you say God isn't one of them.

Hi, Wegie
I agree - Glenn is a very effective teacher and has done great work in ferreting out so many of the Obama ploys. In fact, he seemed so self-assured and confident (e.g. red Obama hot-line phone gambit) that I was actually a little surprised when he started to suggest this need for the penultimate crutch. Maybe he got that way while fighting drug/alcohol demons. Anyway, I really hope he eases off the religion, because I do think he is sincere in his concern about the way things are going, and his style and manner are provocative, and often times quite a hoot!

Kate,
"Anyway, I really hope he eases off the religion, because I do think he is sincere in his concern about the way things are going, and his style and manner are provocative, and often times quite a hoot! "
I agree about some of the things he says are a hoot. He does facetious and I love facetious. But when he really starts with that God stuff I get pissed and turn him off. I think he does it to broaden his base with the NASCAR crowd.

Welcome, Kate! And thank you for your comment.
We think that Glenn Beck has done a splendid job as an investigative journalist and a political commentator - getting Van Jones and Anita Dunn chucked out of the White House, no doubt to Obama's intense annoyance. But when Beck goes on about his friend God he is exasperating. He's becoming too much of a preacher.
I think it was good that you went to the rally. Very likely there were others in that vast crowd who wanted to support the political purpose even if it meant putting up with the pious nonsense.
The tea party on the whole doesn't seem to be concerned with religion, but chiefly with the economy - lower taxes, as you say, and free enterprise. My impression is that most people who go to the tea party rallies are also likely to be for smaller government, secure borders, strong defense - generally for individual freedom. It's a great movement. Genuinely grass-roots. And that, of course, is why the Left fears it so.

Hi Jillian,
Thanks for the welcome and the benediction on the Glenn thing. Your point is right on the mark - I agreed to subject myself to the other stuff mostly just to add to the scary numbers!I much preferred the 9/12 rally last year - the tea party does present a much less religion, although I'd love to know if anyone has come across an atheist tea party group. It might be fun to attend gatherings with the like-minded.

OOps - gotta run! It's time for my hourly self-flogging for the horrible human rights offenses I apparently have committed (you know, in cahoots with Governor of Arizona!)

Hello to all capitalist atheists,

It is good to find a free market atheist web site.

Wegie

My humble Ukrainian Catholic and pro-Obama opinion is that atheism is the correct religious interpretation of the conservative movement, and I think you for your honesty- even if I'll never agree with anything you say. :p

And Neitrick, you are correct that working with the Tea Party is a Faustian deal.

I'd just like to say hi to everyone.

I'm new to the site. I've been so disgusted with the religious right and finally decided to see wether there were any others whose thinking was similar to mine. I will say however, that I regard my self first as a conservative, and secondly as an athiest. I still have some dificulty in identifying myself as an athiest to some people, e.g. my bible thumping brother. Anyway, I'm glad to be here and I'm sure I'll learn a few things and hopefully be able to contribute something, so thanks in advance.

Are you sure you are an atheist? - I am wondering, since you spelled the word incorrectly twice in a row.

LOL. Yes, I'm an atheist. For some reason my two middle fingers don't always fire in the proper sequence. Or perhaps I'm just dyslexic.

Welcome JDBlues!

We too are conservatives first.

And you'll find quite a few like-thinkers on this page of comments.

I have enjoyed your site . . . however on your articles of reason you state " ... all laws and morals are man-made" . I guess gravity is man-made and therefore isn't real !

Good one.

To ja, and to Wegie (to whom welcome!) let me explain.

When one speaks of "the law of the land", or "Constitutional law", or "the law given by God to Moses", or "sharia law", or when one says "it is against the law to drink and drive", the word "law" carries a particular meaning: it means a rule, or a set of rules, made by an authority (human - or, as some people believe, divine ) for human beings to obey.

A quite different meaning of the word "law" is found in expressions such as "the second law of thermo-dynamics", "the law of gravity", "the law of diminishing returns". Here the word means a principle reasoned from certain observations, usually arrived at by inductive logic: such and such a phenomenon has been observed always to have occurred when the circumstances are such and such so it is assumed that it will always occur in the same circumstances, hence - though always remaining ultimately theoretical - it can be said to be a "law" of physics etc.

When we at the AC speak of all laws being man-made, we mean that the law Moses is said to have given to the Israelites was as certainly made by human beings as is every law enacted by the legislature of a state. We thought that would be clear from the context.

But one point could be added, to go a little deeper into the subject: there is something happening "out there" without human agency which we call "gravity". But when we speak of "the law of gravity" we are alluding to a human idea about certain observed phenomena. If there were no human beings, no reasoning or speech, there would still, yes, be gravity (though even that, we might remember, has been questioned by certain philosophers!), but there'd be no "law of gravity".

I hope all is now clear as a bright day.

I am an Atheist who socially liberal in a lot of ways but at the same time I have many conservative viewpoints on the government. At the same time, I hate Sara Palin but love Ron Paul and Michael Moore. I must be at the wrong site haha :)

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesman and philosophers and divines." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

As you exhibit no adoration of consistency, you are clearly neither philosopher nor a divine. Perhaps you are a big statesman?

Being Christian means you can be who you are, and (though you don't believe in God), that God will change your mind if, when and where it needs to be changed.

Christ loved mankind of all persuasions, so we Christ followers work on practicing the same love. We look for ways to connect, not ways to show we are "above" anyone else. We certainly may disagree with plenty of issues but in general we look for ways human beings are alike, not different.

Most if not all founding fathers of American law called themselves Christian, and most of the law is based on Judeo Christian law. All this means is you and I have a right to our own choices. It doesn't force anyone to believe in God or worship Him. You certainly can worship yourself, the earth or a bottle cap or nothing. We want American civil rights protected. We are AMERICAN, not a bunch of sub-countries.

Christianity stands for all mankind being created equal and free to choose for ourselves...that's it. You can not follow it or follow it...your choice.

I don't understand going to a Tea-party to shout hey, I am not like YOU. I am not like anyone but myself. I don't go there to shout hey, I am not like you. I go there to say I AM like you - I want my freedom.

I can assure you that no one cares, least of all a Christian if you go there saying
"I am Athesist and I am Conservative."

Actually Allfriend, many Christians do try to impose their beliefs on other people, wether they are are willing subjects or not. They have done so throughout the history of Christianity, the inquisition being one notorious example. I have a brother who believes it his calling to evangelize, and once he gets rolling it's almost impossible to stop him. He is a conservative, so we have that in common otherwise we wouldn't have anything to talk about. If I were to tell him that I'm an athiest, I'd never hear the end of his preaching.

If you think your Christian faith is strong enough to withstand critical scrutiny, I suggest you read Thomas Paine's "Age Of Reason". The same Thomas Paine who wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense" during the Revolutionary War. The truth is that several of the primary founders privately shared Paine's religious views.

If you would further consider investigating the philosophical arguments for and against religious faith, you could do worse than to start with George H. Smith's "The Case Against God".

This may be of some interest to people here. I argue that putting social issues on the back burner is the only way for conservatism to win.

http://conservativelibertariannonbeliever.blogspot.com/

I listen to a lot of talk radio. I like most of it, but I change the station when they start talking about intelligent design...

I bought a great t-shirt to wear to a recent Fred (God Hates Faggots) Phelps anti-protest.
The shirt says in big letters:
Atheist
Patriot
Citizen

I got quite a bit of positive attention

mars

Good job! Once again, it's good to point out that a conservative atheist DOES NOT HAVE TO be 100% aligned with theocratic conservatives to be considered conservative. My own views on marriage, relationships, illegal drugs, abortion, and prostitution are not the same as Fred Phelps, Rex Reed, the late Jerry Fallwell, and the rest of the theocrats.

I want to conserve individual liberty. Government has NO authority to be in out pocketbooks or IN OUR BEDROOMS. A consistent conservative is for a small government in all ways.

I found a great t-shirt to wear to a recent protest against the idiot Fred Phelps crown.
The shirts says in great big letters:
Atheist
Patriot
Citizen

Greetings all! I finally found a site for conservative atheists!

Last week I finally decided to go looking for online atheist communities because I am concerned with:
1) the apparent acceleration of the US government towards the socialism/totalitarianism end of the political spectrum, and
2) how the opposition to this "acceleration" (and the direction) appears to have far too much religious influence.

My biggest concern is that there are many people in America who don't want a government that is too far "left", but they absolutely DO NOT want religous doctrine to be crammed down their throats. I fear the opposition to the Progressive movement will be weakened by the religous elements and ultimately cause the opposition to be ineffective (due to not attracting enough people/votes).

Any thoughts as to how we might be able to best influence the tone or nature of the opposition to the "Progressive" movement?

I agree with BellyMonster about how this site's implementation of a "forum" is confusing... maybe we just have to get use to the format/capabilities (or lack of capabilities)?

A few days ago I joined the "Atheist Nexus", and was a bit disappointed to see that many of the members are very progressive/left thinking, hence my arriving here. However, their site is organized very differently and appears to better organize threads of discussions.

Perhaps there is a "how to" page for this site which explains how best to use it?

Glad I found you all!

Hi Menuk,

This isn't a forum, it's a blog. Please comment on our posts though - we value reader input tremendously.

That explains a lot! This is my first serious foray into the world of blogs, forums, and social networks.

Wow. Thank you for choosing us as your first blog!

Hi Menuk! Yeah I really need some help here. I am accustomed a vastly different forum structure. One thing that is really killing me is that I have to keep logging in over and over. *shrugs* The frustrations are worth the fact that I've found this community though.

BellyMonster, you don't have to log in.

Just click on 'Reply' and write what you like.

But we'll try and make it simpler because we want your comments.

Thank you very much. Now that I understand that this is not a forum but a blog (which I've never messed with before) my point is moot. I'll learn my way around and figure out how to make the most of this community and its format for expressing itself. Thanks again :)

Welcome, Menuk!

All you have to do is click on the title of any article. (Click on The Atheist Conservative heading to go back to the home page.)

Scroll down when the article you want to comment on comes up, and you'll find you can reply to any particular comment by just clicking on 'Reply' (bottom right of each comment).

Or you can start a new thread by commenting in the space provided immediately below the article.

It's actually very simple and straightforward. Please do comment as much as you like.

Thanks Jillian!

Hello everyone. I do hope that I am posting in the right place as I am accustomed to a very different type of forum than I am seeing here. Either my age is catching up with me or this is a type of forum that I need help figuring out how to navigate...Or the fact that the first comment I see below was 7 months ago means that I have not found an active forum for conservative atheists.

Anyway my name is Sam, I am 39, male, upstate South Carolina/USA, white-European-American Indian descent...Mostly German/English. I believe that the US government IS the 300+ million individuals that make up our population and that those who WE vote into various offices are merely our representatives and are in fact practically slaves to our slightest whim.

Watching and hearing Nancy Pelosi stand behind that podium in 2006 'triumphantly' saying, and I quote, "WE are ready to g0vern" scared me the way many across the world were frightened by Adolph Hitler or Josef Stalin in their years of political influence. This woman makes Hillary Clinton look like a cute and precocious young Shirley Temple. If I weren't a true atheist I would swear that Barack Obama is the reincarnation of Josef Stalin and Nancy Pelosi is the reincarnation of Adolph Hitler and they have now made another pact much like the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, carving up the United States into those who support them (free Americans) and those who oppose them (future political prisoners or those who just keep their mouths shut). In short, I as a fan of Star Wars views Nancy Pelosi as Palpatine and Barack Obama as Vader (or vice-versa if you will).

I also belive that the "supernatural" in any form is naught but fiction. I do not only believe that there is no god or God, but I also believe that ANY event you or I experience that we cannot rationally explain can and will eventually be both explained and PROVEN scientifically/mathematically.

Despite the speed at which we have 'advanced' as a species over the past 100 or so years, we are still a sadly primitive species on the verge of early adulthood, but still quite adolescent. As an example, we as a species are much like a 16-year old young American man behind the wheel of a car for the first few times, exhilarated by the freedom and liberation such literal speed grants them. We are now at a point where we can obey the rules of the road and behave in a dignified, progressive manner or we can give in to our natural urges and stomp on that gas pedal as hard as we can and feel the rush of adrenaline right before we spill blood on the highway of fading innocence due to our own naivety and pride.

We are not alone in this universe and we are like caged rats in a laboratory to other species as long as we allow our differences to divide us. The diversity that exists among our species is only skin deep, literally, politically, and philosophically. I think that because of these facts, humanity has "gotten too big for its britches" and doesn't have any "hand-me-downs" waiting for us to grow into them.

The supernatural/paranormal is simply a fantasy and all religious texts are strictly fiction...Of that I am sure beyond any doubt. I am also equally certain that an inobtrusive and small government that leaves its people to their own ends is capable of moving our species from adolescence to true adulthood. Such a profound and enlightening transformation is not possible without great bloodshed that reduces our population to frighteningly-small numbers in my estimation, but it sure would be nice to see us break this barrier without violence.

I am not convinced but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if there were an extraterrestrial species that is closely observing us and waiting for us to make this decision, hoping that we advance to ensuring the survival of our species by setting aside our religious and racial differences to simply become 'humans' in a vast universe of many unique, free species. I hate to say it but my guess however is that this extraterrestrial species will watch us do what is likely a high number of "complex" species have done...practically exterminate one another while we have the 'technology' before we have the capacity to let our technilogical advances bring us together in the effort to ensure the survival of our species despite the eventual fate of our solar system.

Marxism actually made some very valid arguments, but eventually the free will of the people won the day. With the path we are taking now, marxism has a venue to rape and extort the bulk our species, especially with a marxist Barack Hussein Obama as the President of the most powerful republic of persons in the world. He (Obama) can have whatever 'revenge' he wants to exact on our (white American) population if he does somehow convince the citizens of the USA to elect him grand 'Emporor' and "dictator" of the USA and/or other states formerly claiming soveriegnty.

For quite some time we will 'cling' to bits and pieces of the US Constitution, but I am afraid that the appeal of the liberal and grossly unrealistic beliefs that the lazy are entitled to the fruits of the labors of the hard-working will permeate and virtually smother our nation to a literal death. When (not if) this happens, China will emerge mostly due to their sheer population basically the leader of our entire species because they are the "new" 'hardest' workers in the world. India will become their close-knit ally because of not only thier geographic proximity because they posess such a large portion of the human population as well and their 'manpower capacity' will lead them to the same or near status of their Asian neighbor. The United States will be left a smoldering remains of its former greatness at best.

Facism had it right on a number of levels but the desire for freedom has and always will oppose socialism right or left. Because of our need for freedom and our desire for competent leadership, we will fail as a species. This is a sad end we face...

I have some similarities myself (Mostly European descent, but part American Indian descent). I appreciate the points you are making, but I am not as pessimistic as you are about the outcome. If you read "gilrolling's" posts on the article "Speaking of Secession," you will sense a more positive liklihood that we will have a second American revolution first in our minds when we had enough of the transgressions and usurpations by the regime running the U.S. and our states, then at that point we will reclaim our sovereignty as individuals.

Thank you, BellyMonster, for your contribution. We are a very active forum for atheist conservatives (even on this permanent part of our site, the comment before yours is only one week old), and I hope you will comment on our daily posts.

Thank you (and Bill) for the welcome. I really thought that I was pretty much alone and feel that I may have finally found a home here. I actually feel kind of stupid for not having found this site until now. I now see why I thought the most recent post was 7 months old so I've figured out how to sort the reply list (duh). I'm still confused however about the forum structure and how to navigate it. Forgive me but I guess this once computer-savvy man is now out of date (I'm old! *cries*) I will click around and hopefully figure it out, but what's most important to me is that I've found a place full of conservative atheists! I will read on and you will see me around here and there.

Oh and please forgive my "rambling". Not only was I a bit intoxicated when I found this place and posted, but sober or not I love to hear myself talk and think that everyone should hear what I have to say (even by force lol), especially when my views are not popular. Sober, I am not so pessimistic...Drunk I'm either super happy or super pissed. Guess which one was the case then :P.

Anyway, thanks again and I am happy to have found theatheistconservative.com.

I am so glad i found this site. it's really been difficult being an atheist conservative, b/c i totally disagree w/ all the strictures on morality based on religion that are part of the modern conservative/tea party/etc movement.
I "don't fit" in a lot of ways!!!

happy to be in your company

I'm with you. I am glad I'm not the only atheist conservative who does not blindly follow the "strictures on morality based on religion" like other atheist conservatives seem to automatically. I cannot say I'm a social conservative since "Social conservative" almost always means anti-choice, against single people having sex outside of marriage, against legalization of marijuana, for national ID, for the Draft, and so on. However I am pro defense - very strong on it. That's what keeps me here.

And we're happy to have you with us, marsmannix! Please stay, and comment whenever you feel like it.

http://comments.americanthinker.com/read/42323/565223.html

Even the 'anomaly wrapped within an enigma' is not alone

Ok so I went to a Tea Party here in Texas and I found myself feeling very ackward when praying time came around. I have only told a couple of close friends I am an Atheist, I guess you can say I am a closet Atheist :). My Mom will probably will never find out (she is a hardcore christian). I feel just left out.... but I am a Conservative.

Welcome, mdfmd! We applaud your going to a Tea Party (for the political implications of swelling Tea Party ranks - it's an irritation when they pray!) and being a Conservative.

Tell us you thoughts on religion, belief and unbelief, whenever you like. We'd be glad to read them and maybe discuss them.

Atheists need some kind of gang sign we can flash when everyone else in the room starts praying. Maybe a YMCA "A".

I wear my black T-shirt emblazened with a red "A" on it. The words "Stand Out Campaign" on my left sleeve - oops am I a leftist? It's a shirt from Dawkin's promotion of atheism. I have two such t-shirts. In fact, I'm wearing one now. Conservatives who thump the Bible don't seem to notice. One at work asked me if that means "Arizona," since that is where one of my residences is. I told him you can think of it to mean Arizona! All one needs to do is look it up on one of those prying and spying search engines. It has been said that a survey in the U.S. shows that atheists are hated more than Muslims. Go figure. I am very strong on U.S. defense. That is the only thing that keeps me from being a libertarian. So I tend to seek comfort in this community of atheist conservatives.

Hi Bill,
If you're a conservative atheist, maybe you'd like some of the shirts I saw on these sites:http://www.zazzle.com/political_atheist
and http://www.zazzle.com/atheist_tees

The big battle will not be won in the 'short term.' Absolutely! we must vote the Socialist out of power ASAP. But converting from the dogma of religious extremism will take generations. And yes, we must begin by educating our children...allowing them to think independently. Unfortunately, those with our ideology often reproduce less or not at all. Muslims, orthodox Jews and Devout Christians understand the numbers game. One only needs to look at the paradigm shift occurring in France or Spain to fully comprehend.

This march of socialism into which we've been thrust is as disturbing as the meme of staving it off by simply exerting our 'god given rights.' If this is our only weapon I fear for my daughters liberty. Like Dawkins, I consider myself a level 6 atheist and have raised my teenage daughter to think for herself. Yes, of course she's been influenced my by (non)beliefs. But unlike Harris, I've asked her to respect those with whom she disagrees. Unfortunately religious extremists will not often reciprocate such respect. After identifying the real threat, (government as 'god') how do we collaborate against it ?

bornagainpagan - thank you for your comment. For collaborative effort there is the Tea Party movement - do you already join in their protests?

The socialists in power must be voted out as soon as possible. But if we get another 'compassionate conservative' Republican administration, will we be much better off?

Helping any way one can to turn public opinion against statism is one of the few things an individual can do. Teaching our children to think for themselves as you do is helpful.

I think that while one must behave respectfully to the persons one disagrees with, there's no need to respect their views if one considers them dangerous or absurd - such as those of socialists or the religious.

I like and agree with your comment and would like to hear more from you. Please stay with us.

I would like to thank you Jillian, Matthew and everyone for providing a place to read and express views that fit mine.

As a conservative I find myself in situations consistently where my views as an Atheist make me seem like an outsider. Still, that is so much more preferable than hanging with the liberal atheists, where after no more than 3 minutes, I want to start gouging my eyes out with toothpicks.

As the case with so many comments I have read so far, I was beginning to feel like I was the only person in the world with these views and have simply been looking for a place where I could comfortably fit in.

I am a conservative first. My entire family are devout Christians and they are the kindest and most accepting people I know. They accept my beliefs and who I am, though privately they wish I would convert . That is unlike liberal atheists whom take the first opportunity they have to bash and hate me for being a conservative.

Thank you once again for letting me realize that I am not crazy for being an atheist with heroes like Bill O'reilly, Ronald Reagan, Glenn Beck, Shawn Hannity and Ann Coulter. I would be proud to be a part of your community going forward.

Welcome, stephenintexas!

We not only invite you to comment, but urge you to do so whenever you will.

Are we going to Yemen to capture Al Queda guys, not interrogate them, then bring them back to the US or (Britain?) with the same legal rights as citizens, give them free first class legal council and media access, spend millions on crimianl trials and security, and then if convicted we spend another 100,000 dollars a year to keep them locked up forever?
Is that the plan?
If that is the plan, I'm against it

OK Gang I'm ronfromflorida and seeing how I've just been kicked off the Pantheist network website for being the only kick ass conservative there, here I am.
I took their Man Made Global Warming nonsense countered all their arguments and proved my case, when I pointed out the perpetrators of the GW fraud as mostly a bunch of Commies they got rid of me. But that is OK they were mostly a bunch of tree hugging libs with little to say which made any sense to me anyway.
When it comes to my comfort level I hate to say it but I'm much more at home with religious conservatives then a bunch of brain dead Libs willing to turn their backs on dangerous thug nations and turn ours over to a bunch of freeloaders and welfare recipients.
Thank I Needed that.

Well, welcome!

How do you define yourself as a pantheist? Do you lean towards Platonism, etc. Why did you become a pantheist?

Hi There Aescines,
I became a Libertarian at the ripe old age of 10 when a police officer told me I should give him my firecrackers because I might blow my fingers off.
I told him it was none of his G-D business if I did because they were my fingers.
I was born with a healthy distrust of authority.
I became a Pantheist in the deserts of the South West eating Peyote with Don Juan and started talking with the vultures the lizards and even the rocks and came to the realization that the universe itself was God.
I hope that's OK with everyone here.

Wow a site for for non religious conservatives, count me in. I'm a Pantheist and most of them I deal with are flaming Libs and Commies.
Allright I'll Favorite your little site and see what's here.

Hi, ronfromflorida. So nice of you to look in. You might like our post of November 24, 'Thirty-six arguments for the existence of God' - especially number 35, Spinoza. Please comment as you wish. Also see our 'Articles of Reason'?

And perhaps say something about your own pantheistic views?

Thank you Jullian it was a pleasure to find your site. I mentioned your site on a Pantheist site I am a member of.

There seems to be this opinion that any Pantheist should automatically jump on any bandwagon with the word environmental in it. But truth is as much as I like the earth, I'm a pretty hard conservative too.

I'll be back on your site soon and try and contribute as I guess I'm a high IQ type with lots to say on these matters.

Thanks again for your kind invite.

Ronnie

_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/

Why is that sanctimonious bitch Ann Coulter advertised here? She does far more damage to ANY form of Atheism that any liberal Christian would! Hint: Her book "Godless" which trashes Atheism, and assumes all Atheists to be liberal. How wonderful conservatism would be without people like her being part of it.

In reply to Bob, actually.

Bob - We have no control over the ads on our site. Ads for hijabs and Muslim dating even appear on this of all sites!

Please read my review of Ann Coulter's 'Godless'. You'll find the link near the top of our front page.

Most liberals, atheists and conservatives assume all conservatives to be religious. Demographic stats show that most are.
Our "form of atheism " could not be damaged by Anne Coulter or anyone else. There is no personal identity resting on the idea that "there- is- no- God". It is not much of a basis for a group identity, either. Anything she has to say about atheists will be part of her religious outlook - a hall of reflecting mirrors - and is not cognizable by us. Our form of atheism means we can ignore her religious, and anti-anti-religious polemics and keep her anti-liberal, pro-conservative polemics. There is no reason why the religion should taint the conservatism for atheists, any more than the conservatism taints the religion for believers. (And let us not get into defining real Christians, or conservatives).
Conservatism, as a political force, would not be better off without a witty, attractive, clever, well-informed author and pundit who speaks for herself, not as a candidate for office, and is without a trace of politically correct inhibitions. In her relentless, rude mockery of the idiocy of the political opposition, she is upholding the tradition of not mincing words. Unminced words are to be enjoyed, while we can.

Warning! Twist on very old Irish joke, and possibility however remote of inappropriate humor.


Man is walking down a street in Belfast, gunman comes up behind him: "Which religion are you?"

"I'm an Atheist." Hoping to win him over, he adds, "And also a Conservative, I believe in the basic goodness of people, free markets and the sanctity of the individual."

"Catholic Atheist Conservative or Protestant Atheist Conservative?"

Oh, the grand old President,
He had forty; no thirty, thousand men,
He marched them off to Afghanistan, then he marched them back again.
And when they were here, they were here,
And when they were there, they were there,
And when they were only halfway there, they were neither here nor there.

(Ref. England's 15th century Richard, Duke of York, Plantagenet dynasty, purported subject of the nursery rhyme "Grand Old Duke of York" which is approximated herein above)

I stumbled upon this site and immediately became interested. Two common denominators are mentioned: 1) atheism, 2) conservatism. I understand atheism. However, I consider myself a libertarian atheist. I wonder what you folks mean by conservative, given that you are atheists. How does your definition of conservatism differ from libertarianism?

I usually define libertarianism in the Mises/Rothbard/Rockwell manner: free market capitalism, minimal state (or even anarchocapitalism), no infringement of the state in markets, no fiscal or monetary policy, no FED, individual rights, primacy of property rights and self ownership, no income tax, no infringement by the state in personal rights, no crimes without victims, no conscription, no war state, etc.

Welcome, armbar.

We are libertarian conservatives. Mises/Hayek/Friedman. Free market capitalism, minimal state ... most of the rest that you mention. We are not against war. Depends what it's for.

Your contribution by way of comment would be valuable to us.

Dear Jilian:
I took over 1700 posted comments on my part; however, after being labeled a racist and sexist on Huffington Post, I may finally have the necessary qualifications to offer a guest comment on your august site.

What are the procedures, to post comments after authored columns, or simply dive in under this entry without a heading?

Shall we, as did Mr. Steed frequently, discuss over sherry and biscuits?

Best Wishes,

Philip Clock

A comment from you, philclock, would be welcome after any - or why not after every? - article.

By the way, we are sexist to the extent that we despise feminists, but, being strongly individualist, we are sternly against racism. We are very much against Islam, but Islam is not a race, it is a terrible ideology.

We await your comments with keen anticipation.

Thanks for your response.

I of course dispute any labels from contributors of the Huffington post, specifically regarding being racist. I firmly stand upon the assertion of my grandfather that everybody is Irish, because nobody can prove that they're not.

Any further disputes will be mediated by Ben, Matthew and Aaron.

Best Wishes,

Phil Clock

Love the attitude of this site! Hope that you expand and prosper. It is hard being a conservative among leftist atheists and it's also hard being a conservative atheist among religious conservatives.

Would that you could get a celebrity endorsement to put his or her name on this web page!

WOW! I should have done an internet search for Atheist Conservatives a long time ago. I feel alienated by Republicans and their "Welfare Christianity." What is a "Welfare Christian"? That is a person of lame faith who is too lazy to set a Christian example, and being such, pushes that agenda through the legislative process, figuring to be "doing God's work".

We already know about the Log Cabin Conservatives - the gay conservatives who are shut out by the superficial Republican Party. Libertarians welcome us, but I feel that whether Republican or Libertarian, it would be nice to have a Conservative Atheist Lobby on Capitol Hill. Maybe then, with more exposure, more folks will lend legitimacy to Atheism. Till then, I still see religion as one more tool to control the masses.

Also, while I am not a fan of liberalism, unlike the Ann Coulter's of this country, I still recognize the right of people to be liberal if that is their unenlightened choice. She also attacks people of no faith. I wish Meghan McCain would bitch-slap her.

While it's nice that liberals are more willing to accept someone for being Atheist, too bad they have so many government spending solutions for so many programs - even when there is no money to pay for it.

I am glad you found us.
Anne Coulter may be rude to and about liberals and atheists, but she does not deny their right to their opinions, nor could she.
I find your idea of "acceptance" interesting. It is not as an atheist that I look for political identity. Conservatism - free market , individual liberty, strong defense - provides a political home, even if a great many conservatives believe in God and creationism. They can be as hostile as they please to atheism - and to me personally - but I will continue to vote for "their" party if it upholds freedom better than the alternatives. Federalism is the strongest constitutional wall separating the collectivists - religious or secular - from the individualists. Liberalism threaten states rights, raising the specter of national totalitarianism. Local despotisms ( school boards preaching creationism) are preferable. The chance for change - or escape - are greater.
Log Cabin Conservatives may well think in the same way ( I am not very familiar with their political philosophy). Sexual identity may not be the motivating political idea for them, in the same way that atheism is not the motivating political idea for atheist conservatives. Group identity as a political idea is , when one thinks about it, antithetical to the anti-collectivist.

As an agnostic conservative, the thing I like most about Ann Coulter is that she clearly demonstrates that the Ivy League can churn out white trash just as as well as any community college. Ann Coulter is to reason as hyperbole is to fact.

As for the fallacy that Coulter "does not deny their right to their opinions", one only need to look as far as her statement, "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That's war. And this is war."

Ann Coulter is a raving and irrational child with a J.D. and trust fund, who is tickled with delight at her First Amendment right to stand on a soapbox and dirisively assault anyone she chooses, while getting bedazzled conservatives to throw money at her like a stripper on a pole. Make no mistake, she has the right -- she just doesn't approach it with any degree of maturity.

And as far as her blind adherence to Jesus goes... rest assured that as her sphere of animosity grows, we atheists and agnostics, too, will be put up against the wall by salivating "conservatives".

Never forget that God is the mob.

"Ann Coulter is a raving and irrational child with a J.D. and trust fund, who is tickled with delight at her First Amendment right to stand on a soapbox and dirisively assault anyone she chooses, while getting bedazzled conservatives to throw money at her like a stripper on a pole."

Can I use this in my day-to-day conversations? This is golden.

John L.

Anne Coulter is not standing for office. If she did, I would not vote for her.

Finally....a place where atheist conservative is no longer an oxymoron.

So I've been reading Edmund Burke and wondering if an athiest such as I should be considering myself to be a conservative. It seems that a belief in God (god) is a prerequisite according to Burke, who as we know wrote the book.

So tonight I went in search of others who like me, believe in conservative priciples, just don't believe in the supernatural.

Glad you're out there.

Alice

There are a lot os us out there. Indeed the Conservative Humanist Association is holding a Fringe Meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this year with guest speaker Simon Singh (Author of Fermat's Last Theorem). Details on http://wp.me/ppkik-1V

Jeff Peel

This is my new favorite blog. I was starting to think I was the only atheist conservative. Sadly, I stopped going to the atheist meetups I had been going to once the election was underway. They were all pro-Obama. Apparently, we never talked politics until the election.

Several months ago I joined a "Libertarian Brights" meetup (the closest thing to "conservative atheist" as I could find) and they were pro-Obama too! That surprised me, but then I realized they were so used to being anti-Bush that anyone for "change" must be good. And they actually believed Obama when he said he would be fiscally responsible. They probably aren't so pro-Obama anymore, but I'm not going to bother to find out.

Conservative talk radio often keeps me company, and I find it reassuring and hilarious, but then they start reading scripture unexpectedly. Oy vey.

Thanks for starting this blog!

Welcome.
And thank you for the information on Libertarian Brights. I assume that they are anti-war, as well as fiscally conservative. They must be disappointed in Obama on both counts.

I don't speak for all Libertarians but as an Atheist-Libertarian I can tell you honestly Bush's war in Iraq was not unconstitutional especially when the majorty of congress signed off on it and they all believed Saddam had WMD. Of course he didn't, though everyone did infact believed he did (which means noone lied or minpulated evidence), but that is beside the point because what Saddam did really do was brake the cease-fire agreement from the first Gulf war. That's all Bush really needed to say, but it was overshadowed by the MSM and progressive-liberals obsession with WMD.

Sad really.

I'm with you on that. The invasion of Iraq is one of the few government activities of which I approve in the past few decades.

Thank you for your interesting comment. It has inspired a new post (see front page).

Nietrick - that is a very great compliment indeed!

I hope I'll manage to keep such a high opinion.

We welcome you. Please don't hesitate to comment, whether to agree or disagree.

Does anyone else feel like they're entering into some Faustian deal by having to side with religious (nuts) erm, conservatives because they're the ones fighting Obamunism? I'm sick of going to Tea Parties and being all revved up during the talk about the Constitution but angry, sick, and ready to leave when they start in about needing to pray and how we all need to get on our knees or we're not conservatives. The Founders were all good Christians my ass.

Anyhoo....I totally *heart* this site and Jillian is my new hero, just below Thomas Jefferson and Ayn Rand.

Yes, the bargain is Faustian but not enough people have the intellectual & psychological maturity to disabuse themselves of religion. Definitely have to cringe....but if you think of true conservatives as favoring limited government & limited involvement in the lives of citizens.....maybe this is something to hope for. We definitely have to advocate staying away from social issues for the most part & focusing on fiscal conservatism & limited government......in order to drive out the obammunists.

SAME SAME SAME
I made my escape from religion 15 years ago.

You have no idea how sick I am of that portion of the tea party stump-speeches as well. Infact, I went to a seminar on Islam by William J. Federer whose presentation on Islam was most informative and verbally excellent. I even bought his book which as it turns out is a great reference book on Islam I just had to add to my extensive collection. However, toward the end of his seminar it got rather christian-activist-like when he dragged out John Lenon's "Image" as the atheist model for America that he asserts is hurting America. He went on to say only christian-liberty which is what he believes our country was founded on would allow us to remain free. I thought to myself America founded out of christian liberty? Go, read the treaty of tripoli. I also thought John Lenon what a selective choice why not mention Ayn Rand who fell on the conservative side of Atheism instead of the progressive-liberal side? Of course I didn't mention this to him during the Q&A section because my purpouse was to learn more about Islam and to buy his book rather than to cause waves. However, I did correct him afterward very subtle on the mere fact that the quraish did not throw Muhammad out of Mecca but that it was muhammad that was looking to leave mecca as far back as 615 before the famous hijj. To which he knew all about and agreed but said he had to cover so much within two hours that he could not fit everthing completely into his seminar. His book goes into more detail, but I suggest people read M.A. Khan's book Islamic Jihad which goes into the depths of it.

I completely understand, Nietrick. I have attended six Tea Parties, including the 9/12 march on D.C., and I always struggle a little internally with what what you've described. One moment I find myself looking around the massive gathering of "freedom-loving" individuals, feeling overwhelmed and elated by the movement, and then I come across a sign with a bloody Jesus hanging from a cross and realize I might not be welcomed by all if it was known that I am an atheist.

At the 9/12 march on D.C. I met a man from Oklahoma (I'm from Ohio) and we've become very good Facebook friends, constantly talking politics. It quickly became evident that he is extremely religious, but I decided to share my point of view and he proved to be what I would call a "true" Christian, not the damning kind that's featured on the news all the time. He respects my opinions and my lack of faith and we constantly bounce idea off of each other, both of us trying to further the cause of liberty any way we can. I may have no faith in "god," but he restored my faith in Christians.

Since my first Tea Party back in March I have thought about doing what miselaineeous did with his atheist t-shirt, but honestly I haven't had the guts yet. I'm not so sure how my husband would feel about it - I doubt anyone would verbally or otherwise attack a small woman like me for wearing that shirt, but he may end up stuck as the bodyguard who takes the brunt if things were to get ugly. :) However, I intend to take my new found "faith" in Christians and my fellow man, and wear a t-shirt like that to the next event. Who knows, maybe it will attract some other atheists lurking in the crowd who are too afraid to speak up.

Meanwhile, I'll be spending plenty of time on this newly discovered blog because I finally feel like I'm not alone! And I have my Christian friend from the 9/12 march to thank for it - he found this blog and sent me the link!

Welcome, jillian4Liberty! And thanks to your Christian friend for sending you to us!

We liked this comment of yours.

Please stay with us. The more you comment the happier we'll be.

Yes indeed, Nietrick. I'm sure any of us who have gone to tea parties feels that way. I first noticed it when I protested at Dobson High school in Arizona, when Obama came to speak there. I actually thought about it ahead of time - not wanting to be confused with the religious right - so my sign said "Atheists are for Liberty". My roommate (a gay male) was dressed as Wonder Woman and his sign said "Wonder Woman is for Liberty", and the other side of our signs said "Obama is NOT". So we really didn't fit in anywhere, although we were still welcomed in the JD Hayworth crowd. I don't think he realized Wonder Woman was a man. :) -- http://www.youtube.com/miselaineeous ("Don't Tread On Me" playlist).

Thank *god* for this blog! :D
Keep up the good work.

We are very grateful to the commenters who have expressed their appreciation of our site.

To Radio Free Wisconsin: You will see that we have put your blog, Secular Conservative, on our blogroll, and we welcome you.

I have started my own Secular Conservative blog:
http://radiofreewisconsin.wordpress.com/
Is there anyway I can get on your blogroll?

I enjoy this blog tremendously, and have added it to my daily reading. I am also an atheist conservative. Keep up the good work.

Matthew Hock - we very much appreciate your interest, approval, and agreement with our atheist conservatism.

If you ever meet other atheist conservatives, please tell them to visit our website.

And please comment again whenever you wish to!

I'm very pleased to have found this blog as I was beginning to wonder if I was the only atheist conservative in the world. I've been reading now for roughly 6 months and have enjoyed the content. Big thank yous to the staff.

brian,

Great link. Thanks.

Title: Putin to Obama: “Socialism doesn’t work”

What sort of parallel universe have we slipped into when Putin warns against the dangers of socialism while at the same time our own President gives us the bum’s rush into that very abyss. Here are Putin’s exact words in his speech at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Davos (2009/02/18).
(Title and words from Clarice Feldman; http://www.darkskiesblog.com/2009/02/18/putin-to-obama-socialism-doesnt-work/
------------


Esteemed colleagues, one is sorely tempted to make simple and popular decisions in times of crisis. However, we could face far greater complications if we merely treat the symptoms of the disease.

Naturally, all national governments and business leaders must take resolute actions. Nevertheless, it is important to avoid making decisions, even in such force majeure circumstances, that we will regret in the future.

This is why I would first like to mention specific measures which should be avoided and which will not be implemented by Russia.

We must not revert to isolationism and unrestrained economic egotism. The leaders of the world's largest economies agreed during the November 2008 G20 summit not to create barriers hindering global trade and capital flows. Russia shares these principles.

Although additional protectionism will prove inevitable during the crisis, all of us must display a sense of proportion.

Excessive intervention in economic activity and blind faith in the state's omnipotence is another possible mistake.

True, the state's increased role in times of crisis is a natural reaction to market setbacks. Instead of streamlining market mechanisms, some are tempted to expand state economic intervention to the greatest possible extent.

The concentration of surplus assets in the hands of the state is a negative aspect of anti-crisis measures in virtually every nation.

In the 20th century, the Soviet Union made the state's role absolute. In the long run, this made the Soviet economy totally uncompetitive. This lesson cost us dearly. I am sure nobody wants to see it repeated.

Nor should we turn a blind eye to the fact that the spirit of free enterprise, including the principle of personal responsibility of businesspeople, investors and shareholders for their decisions, is being eroded in the last few months. There is no reason to believe that we can achieve better results by shifting responsibility onto the state.

And one more point: anti-crisis measures should not escalate into financial populism and a refusal to implement responsible macroeconomic policies. The unjustified swelling of the budgetary deficit and the accumulation of public debts are just as destructive as adventurous stock-jobbing.
--------

Original source:
The Wall Street Journal / World http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123317069332125243.html
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 As of 2:29 PM EST
-----------
Comment:
Obama is killing America...
We are in extraordinary situations and we need extraordinary measures. (Brian)

Merinas van der Lubbe - as we repeatedly point out, the best proof of the non-existence of God is the absolute failure of anyone ever to prove his existence.

Using the word 'God' doesn't cut it.

But go ahead yourself and have a try.

Merinas van der Lubbe:

Fairy, Gryphon, unicorn, yeti, Zeus, Thor, God...
There is always room for another one in this debating chamber.
To say sooth, I had not realized that in denying the existence of God, I admit that such existence is possible. Does it work the other way round?
Let's debate. Perhaps a little yeti will appear.

You do realize, don't you, that in insisting on denying the existence of God, you admit that such existence is possible ?

That is to say, by even commenting on the matter - or even using the word "God", for that matter - you leave room for debate over whether such a thing exists... right?

(Don't fry your other brain cell... A mind is a terrible thing to lose)

I love all people here!
Reason bless you all!

America's No. 1 enemy is now inside the USA, in Washington.
America is now being clandestinely or overtly strangled.
We are small in number. But let us not be disappointed.
Where there is a will there is a way.

I have many ideas to contribute. Ideas are the most powerful and ultimate weapon.
The weapons that change the world better or worse are ideas. We have the right direction already. We have to squeeze our heads (brainstorm). Two heads are better than one.
I suggest that we tolerate discords concerning small matters such as abortion, gay marriage, etc. keeping in mind that our opponents are leftists and religionists. I do not mean we have to kill our opponents. We should develop better ideas to win and save America and perhpas the world.

Please do not be disappointed in few resonses (comments). I am busy preparing weapons.

Very nicely put, thermonuclearman!

atheism
capitalism
nuclear power

the Holy Trinity!

I'm not alone! And here i thought i was a lone wolf in the forest of rationality. I feel that life cannot be lived based on false pretenses and i have found that conservatism negates that well... with the exception of the major religious component integrated into it. Thank the flying spaghetti monster that there are others out there who seek rationality as i do. Keep up the good work.

Really interesting point, that, from Mike. New Labour similarly married Socialism and alliances with big businesses; mostly to bring out the worst in big business. (See for example, my article on the Archbishop of Canterbury and Karl Marx which points out how close the bankrupt Northern Rock Bank was with the Labour ideologues).

So close, corrupt and privileged was the Socialist Government's relationship to its friends in the City of London: I am not surprised that there were a close alliance of interests between the powerful and charlatans in the US too. The Libertarian Right is right but there are crooks all over the place!

Great, I was begining to think all atheists online were left wing psychos. Encouraging to know that isnt all true.

I agree with you, Mike.

Furthermore, right from the beginning, it was foolish of G.W. Bush to bring 'compassion' into conservatism. Compassion is something for the individual to feel and act on, not political parties, not governments. Individuals may be generous with their own money, but governments should be tight-fisted since they're spending our money.

Please stay with us.

This site is made of win.

I just wish some of it would highlight the fact that it is painfully obvious that the Republicans sacrificed their integrity on the altar of Big Government in recent years...almost as bad as the Democrats.

But overall, I say, keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight for atheist conservatives/libertarians out there!

enluch:

Thank you for your comment. You take aim at our format, but not our politics. In true lefty style, you resort to personal attacks rather than actually debating the issues at hand. How about reading some of the 'multi paragraph excerpts' you bash or some of the posts on here and THEN leaving negative commentary?

Have you even bothered to look at our most popular posts? The ones where we DON'T have excerpts? Where we offer multi-paragraph reviews and commentary that is totally original? That's right, you haven't, because you like to be spoon-fed Daily Kos style drivel that never exceeds four lines in length. Do your research before you leave nastygrams, it will make you come across as less of an idiot.

This site consists of a panoply of one-liners with multiple paragraph of excerpts from hodgepodge of worthless blogsphere entries. If that's the best a novelist can come up with, then all hopes are lost.

Garbage in... garbage out (repeat).

I'm so glad to discover that I am not the only Atheist Conservative! Thanks for putting out this wonderful site!

Finally! A voice that speaks for those of us who reject both the insanity of religion and that of the left!

I'm glad that I am not completely alone in this crazy universe.

I'll be looking forward to future articles!

And thanks for the compliment, Winston!

Winston - just click on the title of the article you want to comment on and say whatever you like.

We look forward to your comments.

We do have a comment section. I suppose it's my fault for not making it more obvious in our theme.

Thanks for reading though, winston! I look forward to reading your commentary.

I am so happy to have found your blog... It's a breath of fresh air. Why don't you have a comment section?