The New Right and Godless Conservatism

Traditionally, openness about atheism in conservative circles was political suicide. Today, a handful of self-described “godless conservatives” are challenging this orthodoxy, forging new paths on issues like limited government and free speech—without appeals to divine mandate.

Attempts to build bridges, however, remain fraught. Many social conservatives double down on faith, with leading politicians invoking Christian symbols at every rally. Secular conservatives, meanwhile, face suspicion from both the religious right and progressive skeptics, leaving them politically homeless.

Why bother? For some, it’s a matter of principle: a free society requires skepticism on all sides. For others, it’s pragmatism: not all liberty lovers believe in God, and the movement must adapt or fade. The future? Still uncertain—but ideological change rarely travels in just one direction.