4.3.4 Neoconservatism & Religious Perspectives

4.3.4 Neoconservatism & Religious Perspectives

Neoconservatism

One significant movement in modern times that resists modern liberalism is the neo-conservative movement. As the name suggests, neo-conservatives (sometimes referred to a "neocons") believe in a new form of conservativism that closely represents classical liberalism.

Neo-conservatives believe strongly in individualism such as:

• an unregulated free-market capitalism and limited government.
• individuals should pay for these health care and education.
•  service providers should have the economic freedom to compete for education and health care dollars.
• they do not support social programs that protect the poor or disadvantaged.
• they do not support those programs that provide assistance to people who have been discriminated against traditionally.
• they do not support government policies that promote greater positive freedoms and social or economic equality.
• they do not accept that governments should provide services such as health care or education.

Religious Perspectives

One fundamental freedom guaranteed under modern liberalism is the right to practise one's own religion.

• But when religious practices contradict the rule of law and rights and freedoms for all that have been established to protect the common good, what then?
•  Where do we draw the line between an individual's right to practise his or her religion and the rights and freedoms associated with liberalism?

As a result, citizens may place their religious beliefs above the "rule of law". This introduces a conflict between liberal society as a whole,  and an individual's beliefs. This can lead to conflicting loyalties and controversy in a liberal society. Consider these examples:

• Some Alberta Hutterites suggest they will refuse to obtain driver's licences because their religious beliefs prohibit them from having pictures taken of their faces.
• Other religious groups such as the Doukhobours believe in placing the needs of the community above those of the individual. They believe that their communities should have the right to own property, but individuals in the community should not.
•   Some Muslims who consider themselves fundamentalists believe that women must be protected and, therefore, should not have the same freedoms as men.

A religious example that challenges liberalism in Canada is Hutterites.

Please watch the following video explain Hutterites: