A lengthy article in today’s local newspaper used the term “conservative Christian” several times. One interviewee, for example, said, “If conservative Christians get excited about a candidate and come out and vote . . . they’re a force to be reckoned with.”
I have no objection to any group getting out the vote, regardless of whether or not I agree with its members’ position. But the article did make me wonder just what a conservative Christian stood for and if there was such a thing as a liberal Christian. I went to the Internet to learn more.
According to one source, a Christian is a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination. It was the term given to the early followers of Jesus by the Greeks or Romans (The source isn’t sure which.). A conservative is one who prefers traditional ways of life and does not seek change. One source called conservatives narrow-minded, but I suspect there is a bias there. On the other hand, a liberal is one who wants to see the social order change and who is not as bound by tradition.
How do these two words attach to the word ‘Christian’? Obviously, we read about conservative Christians all the time, but we rarely read about liberal Christians. It’s as if they don’t exist. But I submit one can be liberal and be a Christian. In fact, in many ways, Jesus was the first liberal Christian.
Wasn’t it He who said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? And, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
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