Saturday, 06 September 2008

• Liberal or Conservative

  As much as I could, I watched both the Democratic and the Republican Convention.  I did hear almost every speech made by a major party leader on both sides of the aisle.  Both Democratic and Republican stumpers tried to point out, each in his/her own way, the difference between the two parties. 

  I did, notice, however, that in almost every single Republican speech there was name calling.  Now, let me say I know that I am biased so I am willing to be proved wrong, but I do not recall one Democratic speaker refer to anyone in the Republican party as anything other than their name or party.  The Republican speakers, however, used one word over and over and over: Liberal.  Of course each time this moniker was thrown out, it was done so with a sneer or a groan, or a bad facial expression.  And then it usually was accompanied by additional negative adjectives like "the angry liberal left," or "the elitist liberal media." 

  At the same time many Republican speakers consistently and proudly proclaimed that they held to true American Conservative values.  Each time the word or the line containing the word "conservative" was mentioned a roar would go up from the crowd.

  So, I have been thinking about these two words.  What does it mean to be liberal and/or conservative?  And why is one good or the other bad?  So to spur some thought, directly from Webster...here is the dictionary definition for each of these words:

  Liberal

  Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; having political or social views favoring reform and progress tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition given or giving freely.

   

  Conservative

  Disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change. Cautiously moderate or purposefully low: Traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness. Having the power or tendency to conserve; preservative

  To further spur your thought on this subject the following from Rogets is the synonyms of each word:

  Liberal

  abundant, ample, benevolent, bounteous, broad, catholic, charitable, copious, flexible, free, freehanded, generous, giving, handsome, hospitable, knowledgeable, latitudinarian, lavish, lenient, magnanimous, messianic, munificent, open, open-handed, philanthropic, plentiful, princely, progressive, radical, tolerant, unstinted

   

  Conservative

  antiprogressive, conventional, diehard, lethargic, old-fashioned, reactionary, sustentative, traditionalistic, unenterprising

  My thought?  As a Christian and follower of Jesus I hope that when people see my words and actions they know that not only do I follow Christ, but that I am a liberal as well.  I resent the Republican Party's claim to being both Christian and Conservative.  What I saw from the Republican Party speech makers was, according to the definitions and synonyms above, certainly Conservative...but not very Christian.   

  • 9:57 AM
  • 42 Views
  • 2 eProps
  • 1 Comment