How do Christians define LIBERAL?

[coolbluehair]

How do Christians define LIBERAL?

[BALLS2WALL]

A christian with morals that flex.

Not meaning to offend anyone... but when liberals support two gay men, and say it is okay to kill an unborn child, I have a hard time thinking thats very christian.

Not trying to judge I'm not perfect.

[bernee51]

Not meaning to offend anyone... but when liberals support two gay men, and say it is okay to kill an unborn child, I have a hard time thinking thats very christian.

so if a liberal christian was to support to gay men and support the individual's right to choose what they do with there own body it is OK? Or do you have limits on lwhat a person may or may nort choose to do with their own body - e.g. terminate a pregnancy?

Not trying to judge I'm not perfect.

perhaps not trying but doing it nonetheless. Nobody is perfect.

[coolbluehair]

A christian with morals that flex.

Not meaning to offend anyone... but when liberals support two gay men, and say it is okay to kill an unborn child, I have a hard time thinking thats very christian.

Not trying to judge I'm not perfect.

I am actually not asking for a definition for "Liberal Christian." I am asking for Christians, here on this forum, to help me develop a working definition for the concept of "Liberal," from the Christian point of view. We hear the terms "Liberal" and "Conservative" thrown around by the media every day, but how do we actually DEFINE these terms?

How does the Christian define "Liberal"? If you used the term "Liberal" to describe a person or group and their point of view, and someone asked, "What do you mean by that?" what would you say?

I can see here, from this response, that to you [balls2wall] "Liberal" means anyone who does not hold to strict moral values as defined by the widely held beliefs of "Conservative" Christianity, e.g. homosexuality is "wrong," abortion is "wrong," etc. Am I correct?

CBH

[otseng]

I would think that you would have to be more specific in your question of "what exactly is a liberal". The answer would depend on the context.

Since you posted this in the Politics and Religion subforum, I assume you mean "political liberal". But, liberal can also apply to "moral liberal", "social liberal", "constitution liberal", "fiscal liberal", etc.

As to how the mainstream media define liberal, I have no idea. It could be anything. As to how I as a Christian define liberal, again, it depends on the context.

[coolbluehair]

I would think that you would have to be more specific in your question of "what exactly is a liberal". The answer would depend on the context.

Since you posted this in the Politics and Religion subforum, I assume you mean "political liberal". But, liberal can also apply to "moral liberal", "social liberal", "constitution liberal", "fiscal liberal", etc.

As to how the mainstream media define liberal, I have no idea. It could be anything. As to how I as a Christian define liberal, again, it depends on the context.

And so, given what you have said here, how would you define "liberal," in any or all of these contexts? I suggest that a person who is "liberal" in one context is likely to be "liberal" to some extent in the others as well. It's the basic pattern that we are looking for here. So, give me some examples. Pick a context.

CBH

[otseng]

I suggest that a person who is "liberal" in one context is likely to be "liberal" to some extent in the others as well.

Not so. Well, at least for me.

I am a political liberal. That is, I believe in freedom. "Philosophy or movement that has as its aim the development of individual freedom." Infoplease

I am a moral conservative. I believe morality is important for a stable society. This includes, but is not limited to, standing up against abortion and against fetal research.

I am a social liberal. Though the term is nebulous, I define it as standing up for the rights of the underdogs and to help those who cannot help themselves.

I am a fiscal conservative. I believe in a real balanced budget and sticking to it.

I think what this demonstrates is that it is difficult to pigeonhole anyone to any particular label. So, I do not believe there is any pattern to how one is classified as a liberal in any context.

[coolbluehair]

I am a political liberal. That is, I believe in freedom. "Philosophy or movement that has as its aim the development of individual freedom."

Then you would agree with supporting the individual rights of gays and lesbians?

I am a moral conservative. I believe morality is important for a stable society. This includes, but is not limited to, standing up against abortion and against fetal research.

Morals as defined by the Bible and the Christian religion, I assume? And what would a "liberal" position be by contrast, do you think?

I am a social liberal. Though the term is nebulous, I define it as standing up for the rights of the underdogs and to help those who cannot help themselves.

Unless this runs counter to your moral beliefs? i.e. underdogs and the rights of individuals should be defended -- unless they are contrary to the moral codes of Christianity?

I am a fiscal conservative. I believe in a real balanced budget and sticking to it.

So why do Conservative Christians (you as well?) support a president (twice now) who has trashed the national budget worse than any president in the history of the United States of America?

I think what this demonstrates is that it is difficult to pigeonhole anyone to any particular label. So, I do not believe there is any pattern to how one is classified as a liberal in any context.

I agree that no one is really ALL liberal or ALL conservative; however, that is not my point here. I appreciate your response, concerning where you stand personally, but you still haven't answered my question.

How does the Christian define "Liberal"? How do you define "political liberal"? How do you define "moral liberal"? How do you define "social liberal"? How do you define "fiscal liberal"? Examples? What is meant by the term "Liberal" as compared to "Conservative"?

CBH

[BALLS2WALL]

Not meaning to offend anyone... but when liberals support two gay men, and say it is okay to kill an unborn child, I have a hard time thinking thats very christian.

so if a liberal christian was to support to gay men and support the individual's right to choose what they do with there own body it is OK? Or do you have limits on lwhat a person may or may nort choose to do with their own body - e.g. terminate a pregnancy?

Not trying to judge I'm not perfect.

perhaps not trying but doing it nonetheless. Nobody is perfect.

It's different from the right to choose when you break it down to a religious view. I'll go ahead and say I'm not pro choice and I do not support gays... do I hate these people? No.

I also don;t feel I am judging my giving my moral opinion, Im not saying I am better or that they are going to hell. Please don;t read into it.

[otseng]

Then you would agree with supporting the individual rights of gays and lesbians?

I assume you are talking about gay rights for marriage. Short answer, I believe the state has no right to define marriage or to marry people.

How does the Christian define "Liberal"?

Well, dictionary.com has:

1.
1. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
2. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
3. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
4. Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
2.
1. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor.
2. Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes.
3. Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation.
4. Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education.
5.
1. Archaic. Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
2. Obsolete. Morally unrestrained; licentious.

How do you define "political liberal"? How do you define "moral liberal"? How do you define "social liberal"? How do you define "fiscal liberal"? Examples? What is meant by the term "Liberal" as compared to "Conservative"?

Bzzzst... overload... too many questions... resetting...

OK, I'll try to tackle this, though I hope you have a point rather than asking me to simply do some busy work. Also bear in mind that most of these are my own definitions, rather than any official ones. They do not represent Christians or any group at all. Also, they are subject to change without any prior notification.

Political liberal - One who believes less government is best
Example: Libertarian party, Anarchism

Moral liberal - One who lives a life contrary to the Bible
Example: Humans

Social liberal - One who champions the cause of the underprivileged (often through socialistic means)
Example: Democrats

Fiscal liberal - One who spends more than received income
Example: Democrats and Republicans