What True Conservatism Really Is.

I completely agree with your principles so far. However your statement concerning some conservative's wish to continue the ban on same-sex marriage I think this comes under principle 4 rather than principle 3.

Principle 4 is stated in the declaration of independnece: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;" Likewise social structures should not be lightly changed. The long term effect of changing our society's definition of marriage in this way will not be known until some generations after the change is made and will be in such a state that our children will not be able to return. Nor are there are societies to which we can go to see what will be the effect of such a change. So we should proceed with great caution if we do not want to create a condition destructive to our grandchildren by mistake.

However we are now in a position to see what the results of downplaying the role of committed fatherhood will be on our children and grandchildren. We can also see how making the rights of the individuals within marriage outweigh the good of the family unit has effected our children. I think it is fair to expect another change weakening the glue of the marriage unit can only thing more bad.

I would not propose discrimination against any person for a lifestyle choice except where that choice will impact another person, especially one who cannot protect himself from the fallout. For this reason I think a person can wish to see marriage remain as it is now defined and still be a conservative.

Very well said. And quite correct. I made a mistake in lumping a large group of people together. By your logic and arguement, you indeed can represent conservatism while maintaining your position. In fact, my position is nearly identical. It is not so much the position I was using as an example but the philosphy and methods used by most people at the forefront of this issue that I take umbrage with. Thank you for your excellent comment.