I agree completely with characterizing ideologies as political "religions." As I see it, though, in governance pragmatism applies to methods more than goals: ideologies are associated with determining what the goals of society will be; government is either at best an instrument for achieving those goals or at worst a means of subverting them, depending on one’s ideology.

The only worthy goal is more justice. We definitely must get beyond all ideology to achieve that.

I see the political ideologies of libertarianism, conservatism, (political) liberalism, and democratic (non-Marxist) socialism as the offspring of the meta-ideology of Liberalism. Based on believing in liberty and equality as the 'twin pillars of justice' for society, it is humanity's the best attempt (till now) at justice. As summarized in this article, the inherent tension between liberty and equality as organizing principles for society is rending Liberalism and Liberal nations asunder.

To preserve the best of the societal products of Liberalism (the rule of law, a democratic political process, and the maximization of liberty — with the market-based economy that implies — I say we must go beyond Liberalism, to a strictly rational ethic of justice (mutual respect in effecting choices).