Over at Joshua Claybourn's site last week, I commented on my conversion from a liberal to a conservative. I said that some things I was told in the liberal camp just weren't true on further reflection. Someone in the comments asked me, "such as?" Here's a collection:
That's ten beliefs that were current in the 1990's Unitarian Universalist Association zeitgeist, which I use as a baseline for liberal views, as the UUA is primarily a liberal political organization now, having abandoned its religious origins about eighty years ago, and their attitude seems to be no cause too left. I used to believe statements #1,2, and 5. Ayn Rand convinced me of the falsehood of #1 and #2 (along with some help from David Horowitz and F.A. Hayek). #5 was disproved by simply reading the Constitution with an open mind, based on a challenge by a radio talk show host. Point #6, that Christians should not participate in government seemed kindof strange, given that the UUA has a large lobbying presence in Washington. Their justification? They're not a church. Well, for their information, neither is the Christian Coalition.
The think the point where the UUA totally lost me was when they tried to shove point #4 down my throat. I'll admit that I've done insensitive things in my life, but I've always been diligent to treat people equitably regardless of their race, and to ask me to believe I'm a racist seems the equivalent of a a torturer demanding that one to confess to uncommitted crimes. The truth here is that this is where UU's puritanical roots are in full display. In their view, prosperity can only be achieved by having one's foot on another person's neck, disregarding all evidence to the contrary, such as how broken families foster poverty (and several other social problems), and that people who work harder seem to do better than people who don't.
My official reason for leaving however, the one that prompted me to write a letter stating my pledge would not be renewed, was when the UUA, and my congregation, sponsored the Million Mom March. I own a gun, and use it for target-shooting, and I am not going to provide financial support to those who would take that away from me.
Also read this column by another liberal-turned-conservative (Hap tip to Mark Shea).