Define Liberal Christian

[Rick Otto]

labels are practical, but they have a point if diminishing returns.

I was so wierded out by the RCC in my youth, that I turned completey away, looking under every other rock I could find. I first read up on Ceremonial Magic, just out of curiosity, and looking for empowerment. It seemed so much like the RCC (to me)in its complex & ornate detail, that was weird. And anybody who thought a being(demon) with the ability of transdimensional locomotion, could be kept from eating them for lunch by a circle on the floor with candles was an idiot. The only reason they wouldn't jump you then & there would be because they could use to bring them a lot more lunches.
Then I read all the New Age stuff - Annie Besant, Edgar Cayce, Ruth Montgomery, etc. etc., & they dealt with the UFO's & all the other odd stuff I've witnessed some of, but their directions & conclusions were too scattered & contradictory to make sense of the whole mess of available info in its entirety. I was also studying philosophies & world religions in an excellent class at a parochial HS, so I was getting a good ground for comparative analysis & critique in that area.
At the same time, my brother was getting his degree in psychology from Harvard & I got to keep & read a lot of his books when he came home summers.

When my first son was 8 or 9, I told my wife I wanted start going to church to expose him to some bible study for a good moral grounding. My wife wanted to feel closer to God herself, so we went to a non-denom, but heavily pentecostal/charismatic congregation.
When we first walked in the door, I was impressed with the excellent band ( I play keyboards & guitars) and the fact that the entire congregation was on its feet, hands in the air, tamborines flyin' and some dancin' in the aisles. But when I tuned into what they were sayin', I heard nonsensical monosyllabic blathering (tongues).
It was the only time in my life i started having what I'd call a "flashback". It was like I was starting to have an LSD trip. I calmly turned to my wife & said,"The devil is havin' a heyday here. I'll be out in the car 'till you've had enough." She couldn't get enough, so after not goin' for a year, I finaly caved in just keep from catchin' hell from her every other day. I figured the only way I could win my wife back was to beat these people at their own game. I started learning the ropes, and served on children's church for a few years, & then on the praise team for a few years, plus a dozen other programs.
Finaly, my wife was tired of the shallow manipulative relationships and we got free of 'churchianity' altogether after one last try with a Prophecy Club try at starting a congregation here in town.

Simultaneously, in about 2000, we went online and I discoevered Reform theology - the 'doctrines of grace & election', and I firmly believe now in Calvin's TULIP, but I reject his ecclesiology (especialy in the area of church discipline).

I still need to study up on the concept & history of the concept, of hell. I have trouble with eternal torture, but I can't swallow "universalism'.

So I'm liberal in one sense & conservative in another.

That might not've helped much, but I hope it didn't make things worse!

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

When we attribute meaning to a thing, from that point onwards we habitually and lasily make assumptions of that thing.

That which is defined, was not worthy of definition.

Except pie.

 

[stanleyg]

in respect to politics and/or religion:

• Liberal is progressive (i.e. aspire for the new or move forward).
• Conservative is regressive (i.e. aspire for the old or move backwards).

Older generations are conservative and/or tend to resent the liberal ways of the younger generations.

Arguments ensue over which is better the old way or the new way. As a result, we become polarized.

 

[artybloke]

Older generations are conservative and/or tend to resent the liberal ways of the younger generations.

Not neccessarily. I only have to listen to the currently-popular pop music to wonder why young folks are still making music that is a pale imitation of my generation - I mean, haven't they got any imagination of their own, they've got to copy us?

Artistically (as a poet), I'm now doing things that are far more experimental than what I was doing when younger. Musically, I'm listening to wilder free jazz sounds than I ever thought I could do. I'm appreciating weirder visual art than I ever did. Politically, well, I guess it's the same: I don't trust authority any more now than I did then. Religiously, I was a fundamentalist once, now I'm as liberal as it gets.

Why aren't young folks marching against war any more? Biggest illegal war in a generation and what are you doing about it? Worrying about whether to buy Nike or Reebok? Global warming? Pah! Who cares when Britney Spears is getting a divorce?

Don't tell me that young folks are more liberal than I am. They're far too anethetised by consumerist capitalism to get off their butts.

 

[divalishous]

Not to get off subject but its not about opposing a war. Most everybody I know, not just my generation are anti-war, pro-troops. The last major rebellion of war would be vietnam protests where soldiers would come home from war to a country that hated and rejected them.
Furthermore I consistantly hear complaints on the behavior of my generation by the generation that reared us. My generation's parents were children of the 60's and 70's. What does that tell you? I know that it is vitally important that we take a stand for our belefs but who trusts our judgement? Afterall we are so wrapped up in the Britney and Fed-Ex divorce, there is no way we would have time for it.
Back to the thread, as far as politics I am middle of the road. Sometimes I go liberal, sometimes I think conservatively. I listen to the issue, research the facts on both sides, weigh the pros and cons and then decide where I stand.
I approach my beliefs about faith in much the same way. I read the scripture look at how it translates and then decide based on my convictions.

Is there such a thing as "middle of the road Christian?'

 

[artybloke]

Is there such a thing as "middle of the road Christian?'

Oh absolutely. They're the ones who dress smart-casual and think Norah Jones makes nice music.

 

[non-religious]

[artybloke]
They're far too anethetised by consumerist capitalism to get off their butts.

I thought that was a great post, but I especially like this part. You're starting to sound like a grumpy old man..... (ya not that old, well not yet anyway)

 

[Victory of the Cross]

Forgive me...but I live in the Deep South, and we are predominately Baptist, Methodist, Non-Denom. and Catholics around here...and a lot of deep, rooted traditions, so not a lot of newer concepts and teaching, aside from the occasional guest speaker...

Ok...so what is a Fundamentalist Christan?

That would be me my Amiga

I'm the Fun Fundie Rank we get ice cream.. and go bobsledding withliberals on snowy days wearing woolen socks!

Oh and we love Ice Cream

Now I know why you asked me all those Fundamentalist questions! i thought i was being quizzed

 

[The Princess Bride]

Now I know why you asked me all those Fundamentalist questions! i thought i was being quizzed

To that I say:

 

[progressivegal]

Oh absolutely. They're the ones who dress smart-casual and think Norah Jones makes nice music.

I don't know about that. My Brother in law is one of the most conservative people I know, but also one of the biggest Norah Jones fans I know. Then again, I like Norah Jones too. Maybe Norah Jones is actually the key to us all getting along. That and ice cream. Maybe we should just throw a big Norah Jones Ice Cream Party and see what happens.

 

[WaterandSun]

I think its silly to say you are a "liberal" christian.

Leave your politics at home when you go to chruch i say!
(but hey, to each their own)

 

[ttreg]

I think its silly to say you are a "liberal" christian.

Leave your politics at home when you go to chruch i say!
(but hey, to each their own)

By "Liberal" it is not polotics but theology.