Orthodox religion (contrasted with some of the new age versions making their way around the world) looks on mankind as blessed, but also tempted, standing in the need not only of prayer, but of moral instruction applied in whatever context -- home, church, school, art, literature, business; in all places where "right" and "wrong" are accorded separate identities.
The 21st century mode is to resist instruction: freedom, you know; do your own thing. Milton Friedman was readier than the moralists just to go on and strike off the political and economic fetters, and wait for enlightened self-interest and restraint to kick in. But he understood (as did Adam Smith, his intellectual forbear) that nothing like human perfection awaits humans.
The Friedman side of things is half of the conservative equation. The other, gloomier half points to the imperfections of human nature and says hold on a blessed minute here. Few politicians or pundits pitch tents in both communities.
Still, the communities of freedom and order overlap in all important respects, their presence reminding us why we give thanks on Thanksgiving. Not because Americans are "better" than Iraqis and North Koreans. Rather, because Americans, despite their tantrums (the late election campaign comes to mind) and their surrenders to temptation (the late Republican Congress comes to mind), understand almost uniquely (the British who taught us) that life is all about balance. Successful, fulfilling life, that is to say -- life like our own, broadly speaking, in the land of the free, the home of the brave.