Do you know the dictionary definition of Liberal?

Question

I dare you to look it up. When you find out, you might realize how ridiculous all this anti-liberal rhetoric is.

Thanks, Ashley D for the complete list of definitions. I don't see anything bad about any of them.

Answer 1

My friend dukalink is once again absolutely correct.

In fact, many of the people who throw the word around have told me that they don't care at all about the dictionary definition. They don't even care if the people they are labeling consider themselves liberal.

The word is literally meaningless in most conversations here, because most the people using it have created their own definitions that bear no relation to dictionaries or reality. So, if they can define the term however they want, and change the definition whenever they want, the label has no consistency and hence no meaning.

Answer 2

The problem is, the extreme liberal element has given liberal ideology a bad name. Liberals of today are not the same as liberals of 30+ years ago. Conservatives have also demonized the word and liberal ideology. Likewise, Conservatism has been hijacked by extreme elements as well. Goldwater conservatives were way better than what we have today.

What's funny is that many benefits of Liberal thinking are totally overlooked and I'm SURE many conservatives benefit from those things.

Don't forget cons-- there have been quite a few Republican leaders that championed liberal causes -- Lincoln, TR to name two.

Answer 3

I guess you just looked it up.

Yes, look at the definition. You'll see that those who claim to be "liberals" hardly fit the dictionary definition. This is why they get made fun of. (That, and they're also incredible weenies!)

Love, Jack.

Answer 4

1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts
b : 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
b : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially
c : 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

Answer 5

Black's Law Dictionary: (of a person or entity) opposed to conservatism; advocating expansive freedoms and individual expression.
My version: (of a person) one of the many who are the last hope for america to get back on track- to stand up against unjust war, GBLT prejudice, racism, corruption, environmental degradation, violations of women's rights; intelligent as compared to conservative.

Answer 6

Its not about the definition;... its about the faulty Godless ideology and detrimental actions and destructive ideas that makes a liberal a 'liberal'.

Answer 7

After reading the dictionary definitions, I would have to agree with your assessment.

Answer 8

Now look up the dictionary definition of Heretic.

How many conservatives are heretics? Almost all of them.

Answer 9

hmmm

1 favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.

3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.

i do agree with you, liberal bashing is pretty dumb...were the ones who want to move society forwards, conservatives want to move it backwards...to the Medieval period or perhaps easier.

its amazing to me that people DONT want forward progress...why i dont know...andthats what i suppose is amazing.

Answer 10

They wouldn't be so bad if they lived up to the dictionary definition.

Since when is being gay and killing babies progress?These aforementioned activities are practiced by animals,not human beings who are supposed to be in favor of progress.