I've thought about this a lot but don't have many anwers.

About 20 years ago I started going to a mens bible study where several men from the conservative Presbyterian Church I belonged to attended.

I was surprised, although I've seen it elsewhere, that most held what I thought were irreconcilable positions. Eg.

• The Bible says we should take care of the poor. So why are conservatives against welfare? Why are they against changing the growing income inequality.
• Science - I understand the creationist bias. After all that's what a literal interpretation of the Bible says.
  Why do most also deny human caused climate change?
  Most of these people, at least in the group I joined, are more educated than the average American.

Some theories:

• Studies have shown that conservatives are a smaller group. They include fewer people who are ethnically different, religiously different, lifestyle different. Most people have a The Tribal Gene that is a tendency to stick together and reject people with differences. To be part of the tribe you need to adopt the views and ideas of the group.

  When Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself, these people don't consider minorities as their neighbor.

• Significance - Most people want to have significant lives.
  Purpose Given Life, Rick Warren, says
  "In God's kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value" (p228)"

  If God is on your side does that make you significant?

  Having God on your side is