Can a person be both Liberal and Christian?

[Elijah19]

Not really asking this as a debate question or argument starter in any way. I'm just curious how a paradox like that (a Liberal Christian) would be possible. The two views are practically irreconcilable, and practically polar opposites. Since this is a Family Forum, family matters are of interest on here. Two very family-oriented political issues on which Biblical Christianity takes a decidedly Right-Wing view are Abortion and Homosexual Marriage (*No judgement coming from me, I just believe the Bible).

Now regardless of what our personal or political views on these subjects are, there's no denying that the Bible disapproves of both. That said, I have still met vary good Christians in my life who claim to be Liberal. On some levels I think it has to do with them believing that the Left is "more fair and equal" to the underprivileged, the minority, and the lower class. Whether this is true or not, I couldn't tell you. But even supposing that it is, that still doesn't excuse a Christian becoming a member with the party that started the KKK (*Democratic, happened circa the Civil War era) and supporting the murder of children while promoting sexual perversion...

Again, this is not a debate thread for discussing whether Abortion/Homosexuality are wrong. Let's assume that since most of us on here are Christians, we already stand with the Bible on these issues, and now we can ask the real question... Is it possible for a real Liberal to be a real Christian without living in hypocrisy for their political view?

 

[Risetobesetfree]

There's a common misconception about the political spectrum the average Christian has taken on.

Liberal Vs. Conservative isn't always Pro Gay V.S No Homosexual Marriage

The terms liberal and conservative are just terms used to pinpoint where you are at in the political compass. You can be a conservative Democrat, or a liberal Republican.

I think we need to look at all the issues instead of the main two that drive Christians to go and vote.

I think the more right-winged political parties take a private stance against homosexuality, and abortion within Christian communities to gain votes yet they don't act on it because in today's world being oppositional to the two as a politician will lose you votes. At least that's how it is in Canada.

I'm heavily involved in the New Democratic Party of Manitoba. I can tell you, they're very pro abortion, and very pro gay marriage, however I'm not for these things that they are. This of course doesn't mean I'm going to stop involvement, because I'm also against robbing people of their well deserved free health care, which our local Conservative Party wishes to dissolve, and I'm not for abandoning the aboriginals, which our local conservative party wishes to accomplish.

The thing is there are more things to vote for on a biblical level than the two main ones modern Christians are worried about. I'm not saying we should discard these things, I'm just saying if we care about these issues enough we should see a track record of the party privately claiming to not support the things we don't support either.

As to your question "Is it possible for a real Liberal to be a real Christian without living in hypocrisy for their political view?", I will tell you in the political world, (unless you start your own party), as a Christian you will be a hypocrite no matter what political alignment you take. There are anti-christian policies on both left and right sides, Christians just don't see it, because they're fed the propaganda that the two issues you mentioned are the only ones that contradict biblical teaching.

 

[NewWine]

I think as Christians we are to be in the world but not OF the world. So with keeping that in mind, of course it's possible.

Serving a loving God would tell me that while abortion (if that is your concern with liberalism) isn't what God wants us to choose, making it illegal would be sort of like giving women a death sentence (through sending us back to the days of back-room abortions, risking more bleed-outs, infections and lack of emotional support) for choosing it. Personally, and this is only my opinion on abortion, what a woman chooses to do there is between her and God, and it's none of my business. Is it wrong to me? That doesn't matter, because I am to only love others as myself and to plant seeds of God's love to others to make disciples. How I vote won't change that, especially since it's no one else's business how I vote.

Also Liberal stems from the same word as liberate, and as Believers we have been liberated and will be planting the seeds to liberate others. Liber, the root of liberal and liberate, means free....

 

[Elijah19]

Very good points, it's true. And concerning what Risetobesetfree said, the Right Wing is not without massive flaws no doubt. My great concern, though, is that some of us may fall into the misconception that our faith should not influence our politics. It should. This is not to say that only Conservative or Right-Wingers have the full picture, however. But concerning the two issues I mentioned, the fact remains that the Bible teaches against them... I couldn't, in my conscience, feel right about standing with a group that agrees with them.

 

[NewWine]

Very good points, it's true. And concerning what Risetobesetfree said, the Right Wing is not without massive flaws no doubt. My great concern, though, is that some of us may fall into the misconception that our faith should not influence our politics. It should. This is not to say that only Conservative or Right-Wingers have the full picture, however. But concerning the two issues I mentioned, the fact remains that the Bible teaches against them... I couldn't, in my conscience, feel right about standing with a group that agrees with them.

I can understand that, but I know many conservatives who are pro gay rights, and pro abortion being legal. So the party isn't as important as the issue.

 

[kennethcadwell]

The problem actually stems from boxing all people in one group all under the same category and beliefs.
I know and have met plenty of Democrats and Liberals who are against abortion and same sex marriage, and I have also met some Republicans, and right wingers that do support those two. So to say all people in one group defend or stand up for such things is not truthful. I do not consider myself republican, democrat, liberal, left or right wing, as these are all man made titles that cause division and strife. I am a born again Christian who follows Christ and will vote for who I believe is best suited to help this country, and the last presidential election I did not vote because it was a no win situation with both candidates.
I do however come from a family who's background is mostly democrat, and not one of them in my family believe in and support abortion and same sex marriage. But they also know that we do not live in a Christian based country any more, and we are not as the bible shows to force or infringe our beliefs on others.

 

[Elijah19]

Shouldn't Christians fight to legislate their faith, though. I would rather we fight to make this nation "one nation under God" again instead of being tolerant. Ultimately, it's America's sense of tolerance which is killing this country more than anything else. Better to be intolerant and follow God.

I see what you're saying about forcing our beliefs on others, though. That won't work out either. I guess what we need is a nation that has room for differences, but hinges on Christ being the head and setting the limits where they need to be.

 

[kennethcadwell]

Shouldn't Christians fight to legislate their faith, though. I would rather we fight to make this nation "one nation under God" again instead of being tolerant. Ultimately, it's America's sense of tolerance which is killing this country more than anything else. Better to be intolerant and follow God.

I see what you're saying about forcing our beliefs on others, though. That won't work out either. I guess what we need is a nation that has room for differences, but hinges on Christ being the head and setting the limits where they need to be.

Yes we can stand up for our beliefs and vote accordingly, but the thing is that true Christianity is actually becoming the minority in this country. Because of all the other beliefs, cultures, and customs of people that live here now. And the fact that some branches of the Christian church is teaching falsehoods and acceptance of things within the church that should not be. Examples would be that some false churches are teaching live however you want, gay marriage acceptable, and even have gay ministers in some of them.
Look at the past Grammy's as Queen Latifah who is ordained married gay couples. The falsehood branches of Christianity is growing at a all time high, so even so-called Christians will vote in favor of this. I do not support it gay marriage, but if the government gives them the right then more the marry to them as long as they don't try to force their beliefs on me infringing on my rights as a Christian.

 

[Iain]

The definition of concepts like "liberal" and "conservative" is very debatable in itself.

I consider myself a conservative thats true for by the majority of people in South Africa. But yet we have a very liberal constitution. I think this is good because it means that many policies I don't agree with are allowed., it also means that my views as a Christian are also very well protected.

Many Africans over here think being liberal means being liberated from Apartheid and its consequences. They believe that white minority domination is still here and openly attack those who they believe to be "opposed to change" Most of them will very likely identify themselves as Christians (unfortunately they often try to mix it with an African traditionalist mindset which means they still pray to ancestors or go to traditional healers). Others believe that Christianity is a part of the colonial oppression and therefore reject it, often going back to their own religions (mostly ancestor worship).

We also have a very significantly large population of Muslims, and they vary a lot but many of them are quite conservative in my estimation)

South Africa is a very mixed bunch. Just think about the fact that we have 11 official languages. Of which English is only the third most spoken first language. Except for the Zulu's and Xhosa's most of the other various cultural and religious groups are relatively equal in number. There are masses of poor people who don't have access to education and wouldn't know what the words "liberal" and "conservative" even means. Simply because they have never been told.
So over here you just never can tell

 

[Percepi]

Not really asking this as a debate question or argument starter in any way. I'm just curious how a paradox like that (a Liberal Christian) would be possible. The two views are practically irreconcilable, and practically polar opposites.

When it comes to social issues, possibly. But this isn't true at all when it comes to economics since the Bible simply doesn't delve into this issue. It acknowledged economics exists, but it doesn't highlight which economic system should be used.

On some levels I think it has to do with them believing that the Left is "more fair and equal" to the underprivileged, the minority, and the lower class.

If you're bringing up underprivileged, minorities, and lower class, then you're no doubt referring to economic liberalism rather than political (or social) liberalism.

But even supposing that it is, that still doesn't excuse a Christian becoming a member with the party that started the KKK (*Democratic, happened circa the Civil War era) and supporting the murder of children while promoting sexual perversion...

The KKK is both strongly Christian and anti-homosexuality. I'm not sure what the KKK has to say about abortion but I'd be willing to bet they're against it.

Also, referring to homosexuality as perversion is to suggest homosexuals are only interested in sex - it makes as much sense as calling heterosexuality perversion.

Is it possible for a real Liberal to be a real Christian without living in hypocrisy for their political view?

Political or economical, because earlier you made it sound like it had to do with economics.

When it comes to these issues, we should try to be a little more specific because there are many liberals who support the right to bear arms (not biblical), a surprising number of liberals who are pro-life (and conservatives who are pro-choice), and many liberals who worship Jesus.

 

[Sirk]

Thats like asking if a person can be both liberal and Christian....wait a minute...never mind.

 

[leon14]

Opportunists have infected all ideologies, youre better off voting independent

 

[blue_ladybug]

to answer the OP, nope....

 

[JesusLives]

to answer the OP, nope....

Moderately liberal Blond Christian here....and married to a Republican.....go figure..

 

[Yeraza_Bats]

Depends on what you mean for me. Being liberal on things like social issues? No. Because by doing that you are encouraging sinful behavior, which is unChristian. Loving your brother is not a liberal idea. Everyone loves their brothers. Conservatism does not include hating those who are different than you. But you can love them while believing that what they are pushing on the world is wrong.

But, when it comes to conservatives and money, I do not believe this is Christian at all. Christ did not say "you worked /hard/ for your money, you have the right to do what you want with it!", He said "render to ceasar what is ceasars", and "If you want to be perfect, you would sell all of your possessions and give them to the poor". Conservative economics are as unChristian as liberal social issues.

My point, you cannot be doing Christs will be being 100% liberal or 100% conservative. Christ taught us to let go of our desires and let go of ourselves and put others first, and /neither/ the left or the right side actually support this.

 

[Angela53510]

There's a common misconception about the political spectrum the average Christian has taken on.

Liberal Vs. Conservative isn't always Pro Gay V.S No Homosexual Marriage

The terms liberal and conservative are just terms used to pinpoint where you are at in the political compass. You can be a conservative Democrat, or a liberal Republican.

I think we need to look at all the issues instead of the main two that drive Christians to go and vote.

I think the more right-winged political parties take a private stance against homosexuality, and abortion within Christian communities to gain votes yet they don't act on it because in today's world being oppositional to the two as a politician will lose you votes. At least that's how it is in Canada.

I'm heavily involved in the New Democratic Party of Manitoba. I can tell you, they're very pro abortion, and very pro gay marriage, however I'm not for these things that they are. This of course doesn't mean I'm going to stop involvement, because I'm also against robbing people of their well deserved free health care, which our local Conservative Party wishes to dissolve, and I'm not for abandoning the aboriginals, which our local conservative party wishes to accomplish.

The thing is there are more things to vote for on a biblical level than the two main ones modern Christians are worried about. I'm not saying we should discard these things, I'm just saying if we care about these issues enough we should see a track record of the party privately claiming to not support the things we don't support either.

As to your question "Is it possible for a real Liberal to be a real Christian without living in hypocrisy for their political view?", I will tell you in the political world, (unless you start your own party), as a Christian you will be a hypocrite no matter what political alignment you take. There are anti-christian policies on both left and right sides, Christians just don't see it, because they're fed the propaganda that the two issues you mentioned are the only ones that contradict biblical teaching.

Spoken like a true Canadian!!

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Angela53510]

I consider myself to be a liberal Christian, and I certainly don't support gay marriage, abortion or euthenasia, (which just became a big issue in Canada). I have fought steadily against these things, especially the wanton killing of the unborn and elderly, because they are supposedly "unwanted."

What my issue is with conservatives, is that they don't care about the poor, which is what the gospel is all about. When Jesus declared himself in the temple, he read from Isaiah 61:1

"18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed," Luke 4:18

He did not come to make the rich, richer! He did not come to have millions of people die because they couldn't afford health care. (Tommy Douglas, who inititated universal health care in Canada, watched his father die, because the family could not afford a doctor!)

The Old Testament is full of prophets who condemned Israel for not taking care of the poor.

"4 Hear this, you who trample on the needy
and bring the poor of the land to an end,
5 saying, “When will the new moon be over,
that we may sell grain?...
that we may buy the poor for silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals
and sell the chaff of the wheat?” Amos 8:4, 5a, 6.

What do people here think JUSTICE is about?

"8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

It is about caring for the poor, and that is a liberal agenda, if ever there was one. It grieves me so much when I see my American brothers and sisters focusing on side issues, when the real issue is taking the gospel to the poor of every sort, which means living with them, among them and giving our lives for them.

This is not about some communist or even socialist agenda, but rather Christians righting the wrongs of greed, and unbridled capitalism, whereby those who have been given less are not just helped by Christians, but the injustices righted!

I just don't see that in your conservative agenda.

 

[Sirk]

I'm liberal about some things. For example, when go on a trip for 4 days I'll pack 7 or 8 days worth of socks and underwear.

 

[JFSurvivor]

I feel like as a Christian as long as you stick to what God has commanded you can be whatever you want. My dad describes me as a "bleeding heart liberal" But I am not for gay marriage or abortion.

 

[kaylagrl]

Moderately liberal Blond Christian here....and married to a Republican.....go figure..

Lol you sound like me and my hubby.He jokingly accused me of being a Bush lover on our first few dates.He asked me to go to a Micheal Moore movie which is the same as sitting down to dinner with the devil in my family.lol So I said I would go,I knew what I believed.After the movie he said "so what did you think?" I said do you really want to know? And he said he did.I told him what I thought and we talked about a lot of issues.After that he changed his mind totally and said he'd vote Sarah Palin as president if he could,which is one better than I would do,I didnt think she could handle the job.I told him" I think I created a monster!"haha