[open] For those of us who are liberal, why?

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Mod closed it, dog.

 

[DavinMochrie]

You know what..... I think this is a 'Cultural Misunderstanding'.

I am Australian afterall.



I think this is what it is.

Sorry.

 

[JohnLocke]

I am a Biblical liberalist, because I have to be; I know no Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic, nor do I have original copies of the source documents of the Vulgate or any of the books presented at the Council of Nicea.

I am a liberal, because, whatever else I believe, I believe that all human kind is flawed, that the great Truths of the Universe (despite my name sake's protestations to the contrary) are utterly irreducible to rational, reasonable and coherent language. I am a liberal because I maintain that despite my education, intelligence and well meaning diligence I am still almost certainly at least partially wrong in whatever I do or believe.

 

[Protinus]

because I know that I will be faced with His questions, because I know that I love HIM, and that a new awareness is underway, a new talk, a new


beginning
JP

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

I am a liberal because I maintain that despite my education, intelligence and well meaning diligence I am still almost certainly at least partially wrong in whatever I do or believe.

Well put. Although you missed out sparkling personality and outstanding good-looks. Or is that just me? LOL.

 

[glo1]

The reason I call myself liberal, is that I seem to be unable to throw the book at those who are frowned upon by some more conservative Christians.
Although I can understand some of the biblical arguments people make against certain (usually sexual) behaviours, I just haven't got what it takes to feel judgmental about it. Even if I try (and I have done so in the past), I cannot find it in me.

All I can hear is this:

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

I place myself in God's hands and guidance daily ... and I trust that he will keep me on the right path.

glo

 

[glo1]

We are all idiots. We all generalise and demonise the Other or Outisider.

If we cliam to be Liberal, I would offer that we all actively seek to embrace the Outsider, as Christ taught us to, especially our Enemies. It's tough, I know, and often I have to bit my lip in order to embrace some Christian who seems to have lost Christ, or a friend who seems intent on destroying themsleves.

Could I ask that a Liberal be the person that seeks to build bridges, to EMPATHISE and show GRACE? In my limited experience, there is no retort to GRACE other than ignorance or violence or fear.

Cos being gracious is a scandellously liberating act, applied liberally. So, isn't this a good definition of Liberal?

Good post, Flanders.

It occurs to me that those 'fervent judgmental conservatives' (I use the stereotype deliberately) we struggle with, also fall into the group of people we should love and embrace, rather than demonise and hate ... now there's a tough order for all who call themselves liberals!

glo

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Yeah you got my meanin glo.

 

[glo1]

Yeah you got my meanin glo.

Perhaps we should declare a hug-a-conservative-day ...

glo

 

[DailyBlessings]

Perhaps we should declare a hug-a-conservative-day ...

glo

Do we get to greet them with a holy kiss, too?

 

[glo1]

Do we get to greet them with a holy kiss, too?

Whatever takes your fancy!

glo

 

[SuddenlyISee]

Perhaps we should declare a hug-a-conservative-day ...

Do we get to greet them with a holy kiss, too?

Whatever takes your fancy!

Perhaps we should decide after we see them....

 

[Lotsfun]

Liberal in Evangelical Church terms.
Conservative under these terms would mean our current individualistic, money/success-orientated, warm-but-distant, separatist, unethical, unaware, uncaring and legalistic incarnation of what would claim to be the body of Christ in the West. IMO.

Yes

 

[Fantine]

I am a liberal because I have embraced the idea that God is much greater than we can imagine or than words can describe, and I embrace that mystery.

I embrace God's pervading message of mercy and unconditional love, and his invitation to me to be a co-creator in making a better world.

 

[razzelflabben]

I am a liberal because I have embraced the idea that God is much greater than we can imagine or than words can describe, and I embrace that mystery.

I embrace God's pervading message of mercy and unconditional love, and his invitation to me to be a co-creator in making a better world.

please explain how God's message of mercy and unconditional Love for all of mankind translates in your mind to forced acceptance of everything and anything...key word being forced. Thank you in advance.

 

[Fantine]

Nothing I wrote implied I did either.

 

[razzelflabben]

Nothing I wrote implied I did either.

huh? Did either what? I just asked you to explain how your belief in God's mercy and unconditional love translates into the liberal agenda nothing more or less...I'm just trying to understand.

 

[hedrick]

huh? Did either what? I just asked you to explain how your belief in God's mercy and unconditional love translates into the liberal agenda nothing more or less...I'm just trying to understand.

The "liberal agenda" is not "forced acceptance of everything and anything." It is based on Jesus' teaching, which is quite clear that there are plenty of things we don't accept. Looking at Jesus' various teachings about judgement the things he didn't accept included living a life that didn't benefit anyone around you, abusing others (and particularly using authority to abuse others), and turning people away from God based on their inability to abide by legalistic restrictions.

 

[Fantine]

Razzelflabben, I refer you to hedrick's quote.

 

[razzelflabben]

The "liberal agenda" is not "forced acceptance of everything and anything." It is based on Jesus' teaching, which is quite clear that there are plenty of things we don't accept. Looking at Jesus' various teachings about judgement the things he didn't accept included living a life that didn't benefit anyone around you, abusing others (and particularly using authority to abuse others), and turning people away from God based on their inability to abide by legalistic restrictions.

the liberal agenda is to pass more and more laws that demand people be treated a certain way that is a forced thing which is the core of what I do NOT understand about the whole issue and the reason I am asking.