Do social conservatives have no sense of history?

Question

Now before you start slamming me, this is not meant as an attack on conservatives. Okay? Let's get that out of the way.

In the mid-1800s progressives put forth the idea that people regardless of color should not be used as slaves. Conservatives fought against it, and are now the villains of history.

In the early part of the 20th century women fought for the right to vote. Social conservatives fought against it. Women won the right, and their opponents were vilified by history.

In the 1960s and beyond, blacks fought for the rights to vote and to inter-marry with whites. Conservatives fought against it. They are now seen as narrow-minded bigots.

So here's the question: When history has shown us that the American people won't stand for denial of the rights of others based on arbitrary delineators such as race or sex, why do conservatives continue to stand in the way of the progress of equal freedom for all?

Our current example is of course the rights of gays to marry.

Hey 'always bombed'... I used the term 'social conservative' for a reason. I never said 'Republicans'. Regardless of political party (whose memberships have changed their social sensibilities drastically over time) SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES have always been against giving true equal rights to all.

Think about what you're going to say before you say it, please.

Mister Bob: The debate of nature vs. nurture is hardly resolved. From Wikipedia:

The modern scientific and medical consensus is that biological factors — whether genetic or acquired in utero — produce characteristically homosexual childhood experiences (such as atypical gender behaviour experiences), or at the least significantly contribute to them.

Answer 1

The above answerer fails to recognize that throughout American History political party views have shifted or reversed. The "republican" party was more liberal during the mentioned period. After Lincoln, the party shifted to become more conservative. And the democrats did the same, shifting from more conservative to more liberal.

I think that you have a very excellent point, but I view it as no great revelation. The definition of conservative is: Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change. (from http://www.answers.com/conservative&r=67) Thus, as the world changes, conservatives, by definition, will always attempt to oppose that change in some way. Ultimately, as history has proven, their efforts will have been in vain and they will be villified for their beliefs as you so correctly point out. However, that being said, opinion is not a matter of fact or fiction; beliefs and morals follow as such (to some extent.)

Answer 2

Its a shame that more people cannot learn from the mistakes of the previous generation...sad but true. Watching thoust neighbor sticking his hand in a flame, then doing the same hoping for a different result...'naive' to say the least.
Though I don't agree with slavery per se, nor the repression of women's rights, my right to marry a white woman/or man for that matter. What I do agree with is the fact that "everyone" has the right to their opinion, regardless of any political agenda. These conservatives are a simple people, using politics to uphold their values. Regardless of popular belief; there aren't any blue-suited, fat white men hiding in the bushes of our back yards. I think we as Americans take our antiquated concept of politics a little too seriously, and because of that blind oppositional attitude, we truly loose sight of the issues we DO have control over. I dont agree with the majority of the "conservatives" values, but I do agree with any human being that speaks for their beliefs. (however short-sighted they may be).
Perhaps those other, less aggressive, parties could learn from such tenacity??
For some reason, we expect the state to reflect and uphold our morals, and keep our best interest in mind....hmmm Talk about not learning from ones mistakes?!! That would be the action of a progressive party.

Answer 3

Your history lesson says "conservatives" were for slavery. You have that wrong, the Republican party is the party that freed the slaves, and were solidly against slavery. The political party of the KKK was the Democratic party (the so-called liberals) the "so called" Progressives you want to laud and adulate for being so "progressive" and Left leaning and liberal. And in reality, they were not.

And, just for the record, most cultures around the world frown on homosexuality. And you don't need to be considered a conservative to be against it.

"social conservative" - Loose translation of what an American Republican is perceived to follow from a lefty point of view. That's what you are implying.

Answer 4

Simple answer...

1. Slavery=Wrong because people have the right to be free AND because Blacks/African Americans are born Black/African American

2. No womens voting=Wrong because women have equal right to everything AND because women are born women.

3. No inter-racial dating and marriage=Wrong because men and women have the right to date/marry AND because they are born into their races and genders.

4. No gay marriage=Right because while men and women who claim the homosexual lifestyle have equal rights as humans, they are not being denied the right to marry due to something they are born with. If people were born gay, then you'd have a point.

Now don't start digging in on the whole "born gay" point of view. There is no gay gene. Homosexual behavior is a choice. Not from a faith point of view (of which I cannot impose mine on yours), but a scientific one. Even the scientists who originally claimed that there is a gay gene have now declared that they were incorrect (look it up if you don't believe me).

Answer 5

Let me say this. We do you focus so much on the past? Does it matter. I wasn't even alive then, so what does it matter. What truly matters is the future. When we focus on the nothing but the past we cant see two feet in front of ourselves. So learn the lessons on history, but don't dwell on them.

Answer 6

i don't see the big deal. im straight but can't see why gays can't marry. there is no logical reason against it. let everyone figure it out for themselves...it's kinda creepy that the government has a say in who gets married....

Answer 7

yes you are quite right,but but where im sleeping i don,t need there with bad friends becuase always talk and i don,t hear to much tlk