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A '''conservative''' is one who adheres to principles of limited government, personal responsibility and moral values. A conservative would likely agree with the statement in [[George Washington]]'s [[Farewell Address]] that "religion and morality are indispensable supports" to political prosperity.<ref>[http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/49.htm United States Department of State] George Washington, farewell address, 1796</ref> Conservatism arose in the 19th century as a response to [[liberalism]], particularly as manifested in the [[French Revolution]].<ref>In addition, Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary has the following definition of conservative: "tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : TRADITIONAL"[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conservative] Therefore, a conservative Christian would be one that tends to adhere to the doctrines of the early Christianity and [[Judeo-Christian]] values.</ref>
A '''conservative''' is one who is in favor of a more traditional point of view in respect to the current circumstances. They would likely but not necessarily want a smaller governing body. Conservatism arose in the 19th century as a response to [[liberalism]], particularly as manifested in the [[French Revolution]] although it could be argued that the original conservatism was much more reactionary than currently.<ref>In addition, Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary has the following definition of conservative: "tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : TRADITIONAL"[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conservative] Therefore, a conservative tends to adhere to the doctrines of the early Christianity and [[Judeo-Christian]] values.</ref>
[[Image:Aaag.jpg|thumb|Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, is the epitome of American conservatism.]]
[[Image:Aaag.jpg|thumb|Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, is the epitome of American conservatism.]]
== Conservatives in the United States ==
== Conservatives in the United States ==
In the United States, conservatives are generally characterized by adherence to limited government, public morality and free enterprise. Specifically, conservatives tend to adhere to the following principles:
In the United States, conservatives are generally characterized by adherence to limited government and free enterprise. Specifically, conservatives who are also Christians tend to adhere to the following principles:
* Return of prayer in school
* Return of prayer in school (not by non-Christians)
* Prohibition of abortion
* Prohibition of abortion
* Opposition to same-sex marriage licenses and homosexuals
* Opposition to same-sex marriage licenses and homosexuals (not necessarily by non-Christians)
* Support of laws against pornography
* Support of laws against pornography
* Support of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
* Support of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
* Economic allocative efficiency (as opposed to popular equity)
* Economic allocative efficiency (as opposed to popular equity)
* Stronger law enforcement and anti-crime laws, including the death penalty
* Stronger law enforcement and anti-crime laws, including the death penalty
* Private medical care and retirement plans
* Private medical care and retirement plans
* Weakening or canceling failed social support programs
* Weakening or canceling failed social support programs
* Support tightening of border security
* Support tightening of border security
* Respect for our military... past and present
* Respect for our military... past and present
* Literal interpretation of the [[Bible]] and rejection of [[evolutionism]]
* Literal interpretation of the [[Bible]] and rejection of [[evolutionism]] (not by non-Christians)
* Low taxes, especially for families
* Low taxes, especially for families
* Opening foreign markets to U.S. products
* Opening foreign markets to U.S. products
*[[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] (1953-1961)
*[[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] (1953-1961)
*[[Ronald Reagan]] (1981-1989)
*[[Ronald Reagan]] (1981-1989)
*[[George W. Bush]] (2000-2008)
Other influential figures in the conservative ideology and movement within the past 125 years include:
Other influential figures in the conservative ideology and movement within the past 125 years include: