The principles of social conservatism are much deeper than the three usually given by critics.  In fact – abortion, marriage, and creationism – are not principles at all but rather the natural outworking of much deeper principles.  Here are a few of the deeper principles. Please tell me with which you disagree.

1. The sanctity of human life. All individuals have value and should be treated accordingly.  Therefore, social conservatives oppose policies that cheapen human life – i.e. abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, health care death panels, health care rationing, tyrannical unlimited government, etc.

2. The sanctity of marriage and the family.  Marriage is the building block of western civilization and the foundation of any functional society.  Marriage should not be entered into lightly, nor should it be discarded on a mere whim.  The family is the next building block of society as it provides for the nurturing and instruction of the next generation.  Therefore, social conservatives oppose policies that lead to the destruction of marriage and the family – no fault divorce, welfare, absentee fathers, spousal abuse, government run daycare, public education coerced by the federal government and removed from local control, the glorification of self-indulgence, etc.

3. Freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.  The separation of church and state is a Biblical principle practiced in both the Old and New Testament.  The problem is that liberals and some libertarians do not want a separation of church and state.  They want a separation of the state from God.  They want the state to disregard all moral mandates from God and to not acknowledge His headship over the state.  In so doing, liberals and likeminded libertarians actually elevated the state as the highest authority and makes the state unanswerable to a higher power.  The Founding Fathers, even Jefferson, would not accept such a premise.

4. Support for the classical virtues and moral character – honesty, hardwork, diligence, thrift, self-control, self-disciplined, peaceful, self-reliant, and countless others.  Therefore, social conservatives oppose policies and actions that undermine these virtues and contribued to the undermining of individual moral character.  Social conservatives do not claim to be perfect in these virtues but everyone should strive for perfection.  I would also note that these virtues will lead to the fiscal restraint you fiscal conservatives want.  However, you can not expect to get the fruit without first plantng the seeds and watering the plant.

Although I will stop there, you can plainly see that that social conservatives encompasses much more than what you think. I would also point out that these are not necessarily religious issues but are moral and ethical principles essential to western civilization.