Why Do Conservatives Have Unshakable Faith in Ideas That Are Totally, Demonstrably False?
Consider the following: faith is based upon a belief in that which cannot be proved or demonstrated by normal means. Faith is also immune and separate from tests of empirical proof. Not to be overlooked, the contemporary Republican Party is home to the Religious Right. Consequently, the primacy of “faith” as the decision rule in political decision-making is both a perfect and logical fit for conservative populism.
When coupled with conservatives’ penchant for authoritarianism, their adherence to simple moral scripts, and a either/or binary world view, the allures of faith mated with fiction are irresistible to the Republican Party. Thus, the idea that politics should serve the common good for all is truncated and superseded by the pursuit of a common good that is only for the faithful, the few and the ideologically pure.
I’m with alternet on this one. Wingers and Baggers HATE any system where you actually have to prove something using logic or reason. The bible (God/Rush Limbaugh/Glen Beck/Toby Keith) says “X” and that is proof enough for them so it should be proof enough for everyone else! Logic is the DEBOL!