Why do you consider yourself a 'liberal' Christian?

[Photini]

That said, I'd offer this viewpoint. As a glittering generality, religious Liberals tend to be very concerned on issues of social justice and our responsibility towards the poor, the underprivileged, and the outcasts of society. (That is in no way intended to put down good Christians of moderate or conservative bent who are equally concerned, just to state a generalization regarding Liberals.) They are in general less concerned about the social enforcement of moral behavior, though they may themselves feel that individual personal morality is to be held to a high standard.

I like what you said here Poly. And going by that, I could be considered a liberal. I, however, avoid politics like the plague. I've never voted.

 

[Buttermilk]

People here may find this defintion of a Liberal Christian interesting http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/2961/liberal.htm

How many of you agree with this definition? Perhaps you can't go along with all of it or would like to add something? I'm sure it would be interesting to hear what you have to say.

You might enjoy the rest of the site, too.

Karin

I can certainly subscribe to some of the points raised

 

[artybloke]

I'm a liberal because my Dad (reprobate Commie that he was) always taught me to question the recieved authorities. Of course, he didn't much care for me questioning the recieved authorities of Communism, but heck, it was his fault that I'm now a paid up member of the awkward squad.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

That's very philosophical arty. You know my dad sounds like yours in some respects, although definitely not a communist. He taught me that everything/everyone should be questioned...except him.

I think maybe the OP was asking what it is about your beliefs or the way your lifestyle as a Christian makes you a liberal. But you probably know that anyway and were just larking around.

K

 

[loveofbaby]

I consider myself a liberal Christian because I am NOT anti-homosexual, I am a Democrat, pro-choice, I don't make sweeping statements about any particular groups of people, and I am against the belief that some people aren't worthy of the love of Christ. I also would NEVER presume to know if another person is going to hell or not. I also accept that other people who are not the same faith as me are also good people.

Jesus didn't turn people away like some "good Christians" that I know. By the way, that phrase makes me gag.

I agree with that. except you DO "make sweeping statements about any particular groups of people"
I think we all do, but I know you do in particular.
I do not presume to know who is or is not going to hell. That is for God to decide. The term "good christian" sometimes gets on my ever loving last nerve, too. We are all sinners. None of us is worthy.

 

[redheadmt1]

redheadmt.. i think you are horrible evil mean person who hates anyone who doesn't agree with you and you have made that abundantly clear

 

[jimsmom]

i agree

 

[Arnold_Philips]

Liberal Christian because I have not come to believe and have the same values as other have. And that's okay.

 

[praying]

Many people believe that Christianity is still growing and improving; honestly, I tend to believe this too. I believe that abandoning slavery was a step towards what God wants us to be, for instance. I suspect there are many more steps.

Why do people find this hard to swallow. I cannot imagine that God wants our understanding of Him and what He wants for us to stagnate and remain the same.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

Why do people find this hard to swallow. I cannot imagine that God wants our understanding of Him and what He wants for us to stagnate and remain the same.

I quite agree.

Karin

 

[Kaonashi]

The website that Treasure mentioned pretty much described me. I have also begun to think of God and the Holy Spirit as the same being instead of seperate

 

[sakamuyo]

On the TWMNBN (great acronym!), I actually tend to believe much the same as the more conservative evangelical churches. However, my attitude toward those issues is very different. First, membership in the family of God is based solely on one's relationship with Christ, not on the rightness or wrongness of one's theology. Even if I disagree with you completely, I still call you my brother. Second, I think the emphasis on TWMNBN is one of Satan's greatest tricks. He's got us so busy fighting amongst each other, we've lost the mission and passion of the church. For the most part, time spent arguing over TWMNBN is time wasted.

We all know John 3:16, but how many know John 3:17? "God sent his Son to save the world, not to condemn it." I don't think that means all are saved and that none of this religious stuff matters. However, I do think it means our role as the church should be to dispense grace, not condemnation. It's not our place to decide who is or isn't going to hell. It's not our place to attack those who don't follow God. It's our place to love God and love our neighbor.

Apparently, that makes me a liberal.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

On the TWMNBN (great acronym!),

Perhaps, but what does it mean?

Karin

 

[sakamuyo]

Go back and read the first or second post in this thread.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

Thanks, third post (by seebs). Perhaps you should have explained it the first time you used it, as a courtesy to other readers.

K

 

[sakamuyo]

Sorry. I assumed others would have read the earlier posts in the thread. My bad.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

Sorry. I assumed others would have read the earlier posts in the thread.

I did, but it was a few days ago now.

 

[Toney]

Thanks, third post (by seebs). Perhaps you should have explained it the first time you used it, as a courtesy to other readers.

K

Agreed. Another habit we all seem to lapse into from time to time is posting only Biblical chapter and verse rather than posting the text itself.

Cyber-acronyms confound me. I thought LOL was 'lots of love' until I misused it once. I think it is safe to say that few of us re-read threads everytime time we post.

 

[artybloke]

That's very philosophical arty. You know my dad sounds like yours in some respects, although definitely not a communist. He taught me that everything/everyone should be questioned...except him.

I think maybe the OP was asking what it is about your beliefs or the way your lifestyle as a Christian makes you a liberal. But you probably know that anyway and were just larking around.

K

A bit. But on the other hand, that early training has given me a weather eye and a deep suspicion od ideology. Fundamentalist is basically an ideology because it puts an idea above people, in this case a particular interpretation of scripture. I saw what ideology did to people when I watched The World At War as a kid (for those who haven't seen it, groundbreaking TV history of the Second World War, with Lawrence Olivier as commentator) and also reading the story of theologian Jurgen Moltmann's conversion in a British prisoner-of-war camp, after seeing the early films of the Holocaust.

I'm also a writer, of course, so I know just how treacherous words are; any faith that's based on singular interpretations of ancient texts seems dodgy to me.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

You were also blessed with a fairly shrewd mind,arty. I've never seen The World At War but I doubt I would have learnt the same lessons from it as a kid as you did.

I've no doubt you're a liberal, of course, and I'm thankful for what you've learnt because you have taught me a lot, even if you occasionally seem a bit too liberal for the evangelical that still lurks somewhere in me.

I like the new addition to your sig, btw.

Karin