Posted on 04/20/2011 12:09:53 PM PDT by freedomguy38
I hate labels! Why? First, because they mean different things to different people. Second, because people seem to think that if they can label something or someone, then nothing more needs to be discussed. It stops further inquiry and learning. For instance, I learned from a very good friend this week that my spirituality is beyond a doubt liberal. And according to Merriam-Webster, he is absolutely correct as the definitions below testify.
Then I saw definition #6 and learned that I would not make a good political liberal in the UK. And if that definition fits liberalism in the US, and I think it does, then I could not be that here either. At first read, “associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives” sounds pretty good. (Very cleverly put, old chaps.)
The individual ideal of economic freedom or free enterprise in a free market environment is the bait. Then follows the greater individual participation in government (Democracy) which history shows has never worked. It always ends in the tyranny of the people over themselves or the tyranny of their Emperor/King/Dictator over the people. The real kicker is “reforming the constitution (laws which control government), political (ridding the country of party ideologies), and administrative (uncontrolled by the people’s constitution).” These reforms are “designed to secure these objectives.” The objective of political liberalism is to control you and me! Period! And they are not afraid to openly tell us what their objective is. I find this to be frightening indeed!
You see, spiritually, I would be considered “liberal” or “radical” only while being compared with the religious mythology adopted and taught by Christianity for 2000 years (penal substitution for salvation). Jesus was also found guilty of not being bound by traditional religious forms that had been around for about the same length of time. And added to those old formulas were the mythologies the priests had learned from Zoroastrianism during their captivity in Persia (heaven, hell, battle between good and evil gods, resurrection, apocalyptic end of the world, etc.; all found in Judaism and a generation or two later also in Christianity).
Take away the teachings and confessions of Christianity, and you will find me in complete agreement with Jesus, and several OT prophets who also complained about the priest’s leaving out the Creator’s scandalous message of love and forgiveness and acceptance in their practice of religion. That message can still be found hiding in the Moses’ scriptures and in David’s songs and, as I mentioned, in some of the prophets.
But politically, I find myself backing those who support our Constitutional Republic which is a government of laws that control government from infringing on the rights of a liberated (liberal) people,; namely, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (Please do not attempt to label that.)
Our Constitution makes it possible for us to be liberal toward each other because government is not allowed to stand in our way from doing so. The confusion begins when the government begins to think and sound and act as if it is human with human attributes. It has not been created in the image of God. It is not their job to be humanly or progressive or liberal. It is their job to protect our right to act humanely liberal and generous to the fatherless, the widow, the alien, and those poorly in need. Their confusion on this matter does not have to be yours any longer.
1lib·er·al adj \ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\
Definition of LIBERAL 1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a : marked by generosity : openhanded b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way c : ample, full
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious
4 : not literal or strict : loose
5 : broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
— lib·er·al·ly \-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb
— lib·er·al·ness noun
Examples of LIBERAL She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican. She has a liberal attitude toward sex. He made a very liberal donation to the museum. Many fishermen keep their holes from freezing over with liberal injections of antifreeze. —Time, 28 Feb. 1974 Alexandra looked at him mournfully. “I try to be more liberal about such things than I used to be. I try to realize that we are not all made alike …” —Willa Cather, O Pioneers!, 1913 This cost him considerable, for Dick was rather fastidious about his cigars, and wouldn't smoke the cheapest. Besides, having a liberal nature, he was generally ready to treat his companions. —Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, 1868 On most issues he was thought of as a generally liberal figure, but on gun control he was live-free-or-die National Rifle Association man. —Jonathan Raban, Harper's, Aug. 1993 Origin of LIBERAL Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lēodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to LIBERAL Synonyms: broad-minded, nonconventional, nonorthodox, nontraditional, open-minded, progressive, radical, unconventional, unorthodox
Antonyms: conservative, conventional, hidebound, nonprogressive, old-fashioned, orthodox, stodgy, traditional
Related Words: advanced, contemporary, modern; forbearing, indulgent, large-minded, lenient, permissive, tolerant; extreme; impartial, objective, unbiased
Near Antonyms: hard, rigid, strict; doctrinal, dogmatic (also dogmatical); bigoted, blinkered, intolerant, narrow-minded; reactionary, unreconstructed
see all synonyms and antonyms
[+]more[-]hide
Synonym Discussion of LIBERAL liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given . generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift . bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing . munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes .
Someone outted you didnt they...
*sniff sniff*
I smell a zot comming...
You have a liberal definition of what constitutes “News” as opposed to “Chat.”
It certainly does rate as NEWS if a Liberal adheres to the decencies of classical liberalism!
I doubt that this is the case, however.
Zot him with extreme prejudice ASAP.
Liberal of old is now “classic liberal”. In fact most of us are “classic liberals”. Liberal today has been redefined by leftests. A leftest is essentially the opposite of the classic liberal. Classic liberals value freedom and individual rights. They reject government intrusion in their lives and expect to prosper of suffer based on their level of productivity. They don’t want a hand out. Leftest on the other hand are all about groups and restricting rights to make things “fair” and taking from one group and giving it to another group in the name of “social justice”. The antithesis of a classic liberal.
Our founding fathers were liberals in their day and now would be called classic liberals due to the distortion of the word by leftests.
IATZ!
Cue Viking Kitties!
That was quick. You can put the Obama sticker back on the bumper now.
IATZ.
Perfectly good waste of a 2009 account . . .
My work here is done...
*snicker*
Is that one a them “assault clips” I been hearin’ about from that Brady Bunch?
schmuck.
Actually the author has a point, but those dictionary definitions above haven’t been revised for fifty years. Today’s liberals are the complete opposite of the traditional meaning of the word. Another example of the very language drifting under our feet like tectonic plates, almost imperceptible but in motion nevertheless.
damnit!!!! missed it again...I never get to have any fun
So-called Liberals of today’s world are really Progressives and Democratic Socialists. I called them Progressive-liberal Statists. They are what is wrong with the world. It should be obvious or you should not be here.
I just call them what they are... anti-Americans.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.