Why do people use being to conservative to excuse intolerant beliefs? I am not conservative but even I am aware that being conservative doesn't automatically mean you have to hold intolerant beliefs. What brought this to mind is a really close friend of mine was talking about a guy (he's black) that was casually interested in her (she's white). She said a lot of positive things about him but said she couldn't date him because her parents were conservative. I was surprised because I've known her parents a long time and had no clue they felt that way and I would think they might've mentioned something considering I'm in an interracial relationship. I wouldn't call that being conservative, more like prejudice. She just said it so matter of fact like, oh yeah no big deal, they're conservative so of course they would feel that way.