What makes a consevative a conservative?

[Valmy]

I thought Ron Paul was a Republican.

Well right he was not a Libertarian, but rather a libertarian. 

[The Minsky Moment]

And personally I think the connection between the gold standard and Libertarianism is an overemphasis on Ron Paul's ideological importance.

There is the Austrian influence as well.

There is a natural connection because of the idea that a gold base is more difficult for a government to manipulate.

[Razgovory]

I thought it was a survivalist thing.  Be ready for when Godless liberal finally destroy the US and gold is the only currency around.

[Valmy]

I thought it was a survivalist thing.  Be ready for when Godless liberal finally destroy the US and gold is the only currency around.

Godless liberals?  Libertarians generally do not use terms like that.  They tend to lump all non-libertarians as 'statists' and alot of libertarians are Atheists themselves.

I think you are thinking of the Glenn Beck crowd here.

[DGuller]

and alot of libertarians are Atheists themselves.

Yep.  In fact, I sometimes wonder whether it's a replacement religion for them.

[derspiess]

I think you are thinking of the Glenn Beck crowd here.

Yeah, I think that's what he's saying, actually.  I think you misread his post.

[Valmy]

I think you are thinking of the Glenn Beck crowd here.

Yeah, I think that's what he's saying, actually.  I think you misread his post.

So in the middle of a conversation about libertarians he randomly just assumes we are talking about Glenn Beck without ever actually bringing him up anywhere by name?

[Admiral Yi]

So in the middle of a conversation about libertarians he randomly just assumes we are talking about Glenn Beck without ever actually bringing him up anywhere by name?

He was agreeing with me that the gold standard is more of a survivalist thing, not so much a central tenet of libertarianism.

[Valmy]

He was agreeing with me that the gold standard is more of a survivalist thing, not so much a central tenet of libertarianism.

Ah ok.  I missed that.  It seemed to me he was conflating liberariasm with survivalists.

[Admiral Yi]

Yep.  In fact, I sometimes wonder whether it's a replacement religion for them.

Much like hatred of business.  Or environmentalism.  Or animal rights.  Or anti-Americanism.  Or virtually any other belief system fanatically held.

[DGuller]

Yep.  In fact, I sometimes wonder whether it's a replacement religion for them.

Much like hatred of business.  Or environmentalism.  Or animal rights.  Or anti-Americanism.  Or virtually any other belief system fanatically held.

I don't agree that any fanatical belief system qualifies as a religion.  Religion has to provide all the answers or at least most of them, and unlike libertarianism, most of those fanatical beliefs you listed fill a narrow niche.

[Admiral Yi]

I don't agree that any fanatical belief system qualifies as a religion.  Religion has to provide all the answers or at least most of them, and unlike libertarianism, most of those fanatical beliefs you listed fill a narrow niche.

Religion only has to provide the answers on what is good and what is evil, which those belief systems do.

[Valmy]

Religion only has to provide the answers on what is good and what is evil, which those belief systems do.

Huh?  No it does not, a religion may not necessarily address that at all.  Did the Pagan Greek Pantheon provide that answer?  Come on. 

Besides then are philosophers religious figures?  That is not a definition of religion I have ever heard of.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah that's a bizarre definition of religion

[crazy canuck]

Religion only has to provide the answers on what is good and what is evil, which those belief systems do.

Huh?  No it does not, a religion may not necessarily address that at all.  Did the Pagan Greek Pantheon provide that answer?  Come on. 

Besides then are philosophers religious figures?  That is not a definition of religion I have ever heard of.

Actually yes, Greek religion was effectively a morality play where poeple were instructed on how to please the Gods (the good) and what displeased the Gods (the bad).   

And yes Greek philosophers used analogies to Greek religion to make their point.

Take for example the Eurthyphro where Plato has Socrates cutting apart various definitions of piety which are based on what is pleasing to the Gods and essentially asks the question is something pious because it is loved by the Gods or is it loved by the Gods because it is pious.