American Atheists Kicked Out Of CPAC - Are Secularism & Conservatism Compatible?

Secularism & Christianity Working Together For Limited Government Not So Strange Bedfellows

The big news in Washington this week was the story about the American Atheists being uninvited from doing outreach at the Conservative Political Action Conference. “American Atheists misrepresented itself about their willingness to engage in positive dialogue and work together to promote limited government,” said CPAC spokesperson Meghan Snyder. The group admittedly struck a confrontational tone about their reasons for wanting to attend the gathering, claiming they wanted to demonstrate that conservatism and limited government principles were separable. But even if that's true, it seems that they were going about it in totally the wrong way.

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Head of the American Atheists group had stated publicly that “he pledged that he will attack the very idea that Christianity is an important element of conservatism.” With comments like that, why would anyone be surprised that they were disinvited.

“People of any faith tradition should not be attacked for their beliefs, especially at our conference. He has left us with no choice but to return his money,” Meghan Snyder said.

This episode of the Freedom Report features an extended discussion about the history of secularism and conservatism in the tradition of limited government. Associate editor of The Libertarian Republic Ian Huyett, a Christian, talks with editor Austin Petersen, an atheist, about the ideas of faith and politics. Are they compatible? And can a diverse coalition of believers and non-believers work together to challenge those who believe in bigger government, no matter what god, gods, or no gods they believe in?

All that and more, including a special extended discussion on the concepts of natural rights from a theistic and non-theistic worldview only on the Freedom Report podcast!