Are the minds of liberals and conservatives different?

[msmcghee]

I say they are.

I believe that liberals and conservatives (in America today) generally differ in how they make important life decisions, like what to believe in and how they generally see the world.

This operative difference determines many things about them including their religious beliefs, if any, as well as the type of political party and candidates they are drawn to - and it affects almost everything else in their lives - down to the books and movies they like, the sports they follow and the type of friends and spouse they will choose.

I have some ideas about why this is - that I have tried to explain in the link at the bottom of this post, if you're interested. What I have written there is a view that I am constantly revising - several times a week, usually. I put it there and edit it as an exercise for myself. I believe that if I can't explain my ideas to others coherently, then they may not be very good ideas.

But, I have no desire to convince anyone that my view on this is the correct view or even the only view. There are a lot of smart folks here at DU. Mostly, I'd like to hear what they (you) think about this topic.

Don't feel restricted about taking this thread out into any area of discussion that you think is relevant. I have placed it here in this relatively slow moving forum because for me it is a deep topic that deserves some critical thinking before posting - so take your time.

But this is not a side-issue for me. I believe that it is crucial for liberals to understand this much better than we currently do - if America is to remain a free democratic republic in the years to come.