Conservative Principles

I can't agree with your statement of basic conservative principles (no surprise since we've argued this point elsewhere). Why do you insist that conservative principles are 1) Man is fallible and 2) Belief in a higher power?

I understand your suggestion that from these underlying two principles conservatism manifests itself in more familiar ways, but how do you distinguish the manifestations from the principles. For example, why can't A) equality of opportunity, B) individual responsibility, C) private property rights, D) free market, E) fair taxation, F) limited government, and G) strong national defense be touted as conservative principles in and of themselves?

I know that your next argument is to refer back to multiple historical sources for the origins of conservatism. Sure, original conservative thinkers started with their belief in God, but we don't have to. It's possible to hold conservative principles without believing in everything the original thinkers believed.

Finally, if your two basic principles are sufficient, why can't a religious liberal also claim to be conservative? After all, can't a liberal also believe that man is fallible and believe in a higher power? Obviously it would manifest itself differently (in loony liberal legislation, for example), but the underlying principles could still be the same. Principles need to be somewhat mutually exclusive so that a person can be classified based on the principles s/he holds.

A belief in god is not prerequisite to holding conservative principles (unless we use your definitions). Outside of your religio-centric bias, however, there are some of us who advocate for a conservative government that does not depend on religious belief.

-The Secular Conservative

You certainly can hold those conservative principles you mention, but that doesn't make you a Conservative, which, as much as you resist, does have a historical definition. Rembrandt and DaVinci both used the concept of realism and perspective in their art, but I do not think you would call Rembrandt a renaissance painter, or Davinci a romantic. Sharing a few common ideas, especially when they arise from different axioms and beliefs, in no ways makes the holders the same. Libertarian and Conservative belief in small government is an excellent example- same resultant belief arising from very different premises. Read Reason magazine and you will see how much the two philosophies do NOT have in common.

As for Liberals, they are rationalists by definition, and a religious Liberal is really a hybrid, neither fish nor fowl. However, no Liberal worth his salt doesn't believe in the perfectability of man. This is axiomatic for the entire Liberal mindset, and to admit that you cannot perfect man by rational solutions to worldly problems is something no Liberal would ever do. Anyone who claims to be Liberal but believes in God and man's fallibility is a closet Conservative, and he should come out!

I've posted my own principles. What do you think?
http://secularconservative.townhall.com/g/2883e41b-36c6-4e45-a22d-5bbf9258b2c9