# Non-Religious Republicans... why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2012, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595 "2012-02-12T06:38:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/1 "2012-02-12T06:38:37Z")
If you self-identify as a non-religious Republican (or know someone who does), why? Which parts of the Republican platform do you agree with, and which do you not? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/2 "2012-02-12T06:41:09Z")
Yes I am. And I don’t discuss politics here. ETA still registered as republican for purposes of primary voting but try to evaluate candidates on their own merit ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/3 "2012-02-12T06:44:33Z")
Why did you even bother to respond? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/4 "2012-02-12T06:48:02Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Why did you even bother to respond? Why not? I got the impression you were inferring that you thought it was rare. Just supplying a data point. Now you know one. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/5 "2012-02-12T06:49:08Z")
I’m gonna speak for my friend who is a non-religious Republican. She is all about smaller government but I don’t think she’s dedicated to it enough to swing Libertarian. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/6 "2012-02-12T06:51:46Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Why not? I got the impression you were inferring that you thought it was rare. Just supplying a data point. Now you know one. As far as I can tell, statistically they ARE rare. I was trying to understand what they believe and why, not whether they exist. ETA: Let me try this again, with less hostility. I’m a mostly-independent, left-leaning American trying to learn from the other sides. Even though I don’t agree with most Republican/conservative platforms, at least I can understand where they’re coming from if their beliefs arise from a Biblical background. Now I’m trying to understand better those people who are both Republican but non-religious, and if you fall in that category, I hope you’ll consider an exception and talk politics. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/7 "2012-02-12T06:52:28Z")
In my defense it’s late and I read the OP as two separate questions. I chose to answer one and not the other. (1 are you one and 2 why) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/8 "2012-02-12T06:55:47Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I’m gonna speak for my friend who is a non-religious Republican. She is all about smaller government but I don’t think she’s dedicated to it enough to swing Libertarian. “Small goverment” even for sexual/reproductive choices as well? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/9 "2012-02-12T07:10:29Z")
I registered republican when I turned 18 so I could vote and I needed to register _something_. Though I am religious, but not in the way you seem to consider ‘religious’ as I am a theist that does not believe or disbelieve in any particular diety - they are all valid [though I have some doubts about certain ‘evil’ or ‘satanic’ groups. Crowley frex seems to be more tweaking christianity by turning certain practices ‘upside down’ and as far as I am concerned a synthetic religion such as scientology isn’t a religion.] ---
**Author:** ![unsub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9f8e36/32.png) [@unsub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unsub)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/10 "2012-02-12T07:16:09Z")
I’m an atheist republican. I’m for fiscal responsibility, a free market economy, and the end of the welfare state. The Christian conservatism doesn’t bother me because it’s all just fiction to me. Plus, I agree with the key republican social issues like being pro-life and against same sex marriage based on secular reasoning, not religious reasoning. I’d rather live in a country based on fiscal conservatism and have to put up with nonsensical Christian fundamentalism, than have to live in a socially liberal democratic country that redistributes wealth, punishes success, and rewards irresponsibility just so atheism is acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/11 "2012-02-12T07:17:50Z")
> [@unsub](#): > > I’m an atheist republican. I’m for fiscal responsibility, a free market economy, and the end of the welfare state. > The Christian conservatism doesn’t bother me because it’s all just fiction to me. Plus, I agree with the key republican social issues like being pro-life and against same sex marriage based on secular reasoning, not religious reasoning. > > I’d rather live in a country based on fiscal conservatism and have to put up with nonsensical Christian fundamentalism, than have to live in a socially liberal democratic country that redistributes wealth, punishes success, and rewards irresponsibility just so atheism is acceptable. Thank you. What are some secular reasons for being pro-life and against SSM? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/12 "2012-02-12T07:32:03Z")
I _vote_ Republican, because I find them far less repellent than the Democrats. But I don’t identify as one of them. I am in favor of small government, personal liberties, states rights, low taxes, and free markets. Granted, the Republican party is only luke-warm about these issues, but at least that is better than the outright HOSTILITY to those issues from the Democrats. They all lie, but I find it better to vote for the ones who tell the RIGHT lies than the ones who tell the WRONG lies. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/13 "2012-02-12T07:33:53Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > What are some secular reasons for being pro-life and against SSM? Secular rationale for being pro-life is pretty much as simple as the name goes: you’re against the concept of killing what seems to be a living creature. I have difficulty in assigning birth as the moment of the beginning of life (and our country’s laws recognize when someone kills a pregnant mother, for instance,) and so view the concept of abortion in the same light as any other sort of infanticide. When it comes to a murky subject, it’s best to err on the side of not killing. The SSM debate is really just something I don’t care about one way or another. My personal preference would be to have the government get the hell out of marriage entirely. If it’s going to recognize a union between two people, I can see no reason why it should put any limitations on who those people are. I do find the Republican Party’s harping on the issue to be somewhat embarrassing, and look forward to the time when it’s given up as counterproductive. ---
**Author:** ![unsub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9f8e36/32.png) [@unsub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unsub)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/14 "2012-02-12T07:57:30Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > What are some secular reasons for being pro-life and against SSM? My secular reason for being pro-life is to think back when my mother was pregnant with me. What if she decided to have an abortion instead? I would have never existed and never been able to enjoy life. It’s that simple for me. For being against same sex marriage, I think government should not be in the marriage business. I’m against straight marriage as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/15 "2012-02-12T08:33:47Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > If you self-identify as a non-religious Republican (or know someone who does), why? Which parts of the Republican platform do you agree with, and which do you not? Both major parties have alienated me, but it took longer with Republicans, and so I remain registered with them. Also, the worst of the Republican candidates seem to me more dangerous than the worst Democratic candidates, and therefore I prefer to vote in the Republican primaries. I don’t actually _identify_ with any party, and never will. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/16 "2012-02-12T08:45:27Z")
> [@unsub](#): > > My secular reason for being pro-life is to think back when my mother was pregnant with me. What if she decided to have an abortion instead? I would have never existed and never been able to enjoy life. It’s that simple for me. 😕 What if she’d decided not to have sex? Are you anti-celibacy too? ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/17 "2012-02-12T09:43:36Z")
> [@unsub](#): > > For being against same sex marriage, I think government should not be in the marriage business. I’m against straight marriage as well. 😕 I don’t think that puts you in the same boat as most Republicans, who want to strengthen the power of “real” marriage (Defense of Marriage Act, anyone?), not abolish it altogether. Very different goals here, indeed. You’re not going to get what you want (if getting rid of marriage is what you want) by voting Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/18 "2012-02-12T11:01:12Z")
Most of the small-business owners I’ve met (not that I’ve met very many, admittedly) vote Republican because they believe it’s better for their business to have a Republican in office. Less government oversight and lower taxes are pretty much a small business owner’s wet dreams. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/19 "2012-02-12T15:15:41Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > If you self-identify as a non-religious Republican (or know someone who does), why? Which parts of the Republican platform do you agree with, and which do you not? I’m a non-religious Republican. I’m fiscally conservative (i.e., I want a small government) and socially liberal (i.e., I’m OK with legal abortion and gay marriage etc. etc.). I believe that, currently, the party in power has more control over issues that impact my fiscal conservatism than they do over issues that impact my social liberalism. So, I vote Republican. If the above were ever to switch, then I would switch as well. I also am basically a libertarian, but I don’t vote for Libertarian candidates because they have no hope of winning. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595/20 "2012-02-12T15:20:10Z")
> [@unsub](#): > > I’d rather live in a country based on fiscal conservatism and have to put up with nonsensical Christian fundamentalism, than have to live in a socially liberal democratic country that redistributes wealth, punishes success, and rewards irresponsibility just so atheism is acceptable. > [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I _vote_ Republican, because I find them far less repellent than the Democrats. But I don’t identify as one of them. I am in favor of small government, personal liberties, states rights, low taxes, and free markets. Granted, the Republican party is only luke-warm about these issues, but at least that is better than the outright HOSTILITY to those issues from the Democrats. Both of these quotes describe me as well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religious-republicans-why/612595.md?page=2)