Why are most atheists politically liberal?

[amortalman]

It seems to me that most atheists are politically liberal. But why is that? And should we include agnostics, humanists, and freethinkers? Most creationists tend to be political conservatives. Has it always been this way or is this relatively new? In the U.S., the polarization of the two parties is so severe that the thinking seems to be that if one identifies with either side he is expected to buy into the entire philosophy.

I've asked a lot of questions because as an agnostic I consider myself a conservative on most issues. Am I a man without a country? I would be interested in hearing what you have to say about any or all the questions I presented.

[Clownboat]

[Replying to post 57 by Danmark]

Don't forget, our children are kinder.

And our wives are beautiful and never nag.

Atheists are more humble too I hear!

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 57 by Danmark]

Don't forget, our children are kinder.

And our wives are beautiful and never nag.

Atheists are more humble too I hear!

Indubitably! I'm a perfect example.

[2ndRateMind]

It seems to me that most atheists are politically liberal. But why is that?

Briefly, because they feel no necessity to carry the ideological baggage of the past.

For what its worth, I think they are right to reject the baggage, but wrong to reject the religion. Though, given conservative mindsets, I find it entirely understandable that this is what they do.

Best wishes, 2RM.

[Danmark]

It seems to me that most atheists are politically liberal. But why is that?

Briefly, because they feel no necessity to carry the ideological baggage of the past.

For what its worth, I think they are right to reject the baggage, but wrong to reject the religion. Though, given conservative mindsets, I find it entirely understandable that this is what they do.

How do you distinguish "the baggage" from 'the religion?'

[2ndRateMind]

How do you distinguish "the baggage" from 'the religion?'

That's a matter for each of us to decide for ourselves. But I notice neither Jews nor Muslims eat pork, for example, without any rationale beyond the religion (culture?), for justification. Yet pigs are among the most useful of animals to the farmer, and given the chance, will both plough and manure your fields and be most grateful for the opportunity. And then we get bacon.

So I tend to go along with the idea that such prohibitions should be justified in some way, be that philosophically, or just medically. An alleged 'Law of God', or an assertion as to what is moral, just doesn't cut it for me, without such a rationale.

Best wishes, 2RM

[Danmark]

How do you distinguish "the baggage" from 'the religion?'

That's a matter for each of us to decide for ourselves. But I notice neither Jews nor Muslims eat pork, for example, without any rationale beyond the religion (culture?), for justification. Yet pigs are among the most useful of animals to the farmer, and given the chance, will both plough and manure your fields and be most grateful for the opportunity.

So I tend to go along with the idea that such prohibitions should be justified in some way, be that philosophically, or just medically. An alleged 'Law of God', or an assertion as to what is moral, just doesn't cut it for me, without such a rationale.

Best wishes, 2RM

I completely agree that one should sift out the 'cultural baggage' that scripture is larded with. There is much that is only applies to very specific time, place and subculture or tribe. Leviticus 19 is an example. Exodus 20 is an example of morality that is universal.

[2ndRateMind]

[Replying to post 65 by Danmark]

And, to put your question back to you, how would you distinguish between cultural morality, and universal morality?

Best wishes, 2RM

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 65 by Danmark]

And, to put your question back to you, how would you distinguish between cultural morality, and universal morality?

Best wishes, 2RM

I already did that. Compare Leviticus 19 to the Ten Commandments.

"you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; nor shall you put on a garment made of two different materials.
.... You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard."
These are obvious examples of rules for one tribe and are temporal.

Virtually all cultures have moral laws against theft and murder.

[Aetixintro]

[Replying to post 1 by amortalman]

Aren't they also the most Socialist and Communist? The answer, my friend, is blouwing in the wind, the answer is blouwing in the wind...

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 1 by amortalman]

Aren't they also the most Socialist and Communist? The answer, my friend, is blouwing in the wind, the answer is blouwing in the wind...

Whoa! Nelly!
1st, there is a huge difference between Communism and the very broad term 'Socialism.'
2d, do you have any data to support this overbroad and vague claim?