Oh hon, that is FAR from the definition of liberalism. Far. As I am a liberal but I'm also pro-life and pro-rape victim (though, that statement really doesn't make much sense because no liberal is "anti-rape victim", nor are they pro-stealing) But I can certainly give you Bible verses that pertain to the actual definition.
lib·er·al /ˈlɪbərəl, ˈlɪbrəl/ [lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl]
adjective
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
Jesus Himself was very interested in change. He saw how the people His Father had created were falling. Considering the condition of the church today, why SHOULDN'T we be favoring some change? We haven't progressed at all religiously and we're in a rather down hill slope politically. This one I will not provide a verse, because there is no single verse. Go read Luke and you can see how Jesus was so revolutionary.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
Now that we've clarified that liberals are Liberals.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
And again...
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
Again, this is more Biblically supported in concept. God gave us free will. And with the exception of certain sins which could be menacing to society as a whole (murder (community), stealing (economy), etc.) we really have no right to enforce it. Most of that was stripped away.
In the Jewish world it was about rules as we had no way of being saved. Christ is our salvation now. The strive towards being like Christ as a CHRISTIAN should be a personal one. Since we are all imperfect, we have no right to force Christianity into law. Remembering the adulterous woman. "You who have not sinned throw the first stone". And don't tell me that He was just responding to the trick. He could have just as easily requested to see the man who had also committed the sin and called them out and He still would've been spot on. He was making a point. Now does this mean we shouldn't tell anyone anything about sin? Of course not. The Bible also says that we should advise a friend when he's doing wrong. But you can advise someone with understanding and still not force it.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
See Number 4.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
Like a democracy? Like what I assume you're living in right now?
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant
This is a tricky one, and it requires me to define tolerance - "accepting that others believe differently from you; respect for other beliefs". Which requires me to explain further. To accept/respect in this case means that you aren't constantly ridiculing them, calling them wicked, doing everything you can to make them feel bad, etc. It's basically the line between disagreement and slander. Most people would say that since the Bible calls these people wicked, we should too. Wrong. We're in no position to be calling anyone anything except nice good things. We leave judgment up to God. It's not our job. Our one and ONLY job is to spread the Good News. Jesus spent much of His time with Gentiles and Samaritans and called out the Pharisees, who were the religious leaders. And why? Because Pharisee's weren't tolerant. They disrespected anyone who did not follow their beliefs to the last decimal. Now should we be acting like the Pharisees or Jesus?
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
I love when the dictionary assumes I've forgotten what I just read..
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts
Um...duh? I shouldn't have to prove myself on this one.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous
See Number 9.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal
This one is tricky. I'll let you decide. Personally, I don't fit this one entirely. So some people might say this is just an interpretation of the word in every day speech, which I always just define as "flexible".
12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
noun
14. a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.
15. (often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.
Okay dictionary, I get it.
