Religious Right, how would you explain this to the Left...?

Question

many on the Left find it extremely paradoxical that those in this country who follow Jesus' teachings are typically members of a political party that does not have His liberal views. How would you explain this paradox to someone on the Left so they could actually undertstand it?

examples cited by the Left of "liberal" views Jesus had: love thy neighbor, peace, turn the other cheek, forgive enemies, take out the log in your own eye not your brother's splinter, wash the whore's feet, forgiving his attackers, throwing money changers out the temple, rich people will have hard time getting into heaven, wear your hair long and walk around in sandals, etc. etc :)

Answer 1

Webster's dictionary defines a Liberal as one who is open minded, not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways. Jesus was a pluralist Liberal who taught that one need not conform to strict and orthodox views of God, religion, and life. He rejected greed, violence, the glorification of power, the amassing of wealth without social balance, and the personal judging of others, their lifestyles and beliefs.

Over and over again, He taught us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was succinct set of spiritual principals and a way of life based upon the of love, compassion, tolerance, and a strong belief in the importance in giving and of generosity to those in need.

I'm not a Biblical scholar, but common sense understanding of His lessons as philosophically and politically Liberal is founded upon Jesus' own words (see quotes below), modern interpretations of Liberation Theology, and in the positive, loving and compassionate application of His teachings - from the many early Saints to Mother Theresa and Liberation Theology.

Certainly, Jesus brought a radically Liberal theology to the Orthodox believers of his time. Jesus IS a Liberal even today because now more than ever, His principals align with the very core of Liberal Beliefs.

Peacemaking, not War Making: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9] Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [Matthew 5:39] I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute
you; [Matthew 5:44]

The Death Penalty: Thou shalt not kill [Matthew 5:21]

Crime and Punishment: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her. [John 8:7] Do not judge, lest you too be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [Matthew 7:1 & 2.]

Justice: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [Matthew 5:6] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Matthew 5:7] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [Matthew 6:15]

Corporate Greed and the Religion of Wealth: In the temple courts [Jesus] found men selling cattle, sheep and doves and other sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. [John 2:14 & 15.] Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12.15.] Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23] You cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Paying Taxes & Separation of Church & State: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. [Matthew 22:21]

Community: Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39] So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. [Matthew 7:12.]
If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
[Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…
[Matthew 6:6 & 7]

Strict Enforcement of Religious Laws: If any of you has a son or a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? [Matthew 12:11] The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. [Mark 2:27.]

Individuality & Personal Spiritual Experience: Ye are the light of the world. [Matthew 5:14]

Follow the Truth.....wherever it leads you!

Answer 2

Why do people think Jesus was a hippie? Sure, He encouraged helping the poor and other things that are viewed as liberal beliefs, but people who think He has liberal views have a very shallow understanding of who Jesus was. Just as some on the religious right have a very surface level understanding of what He taught. The Right tends to emphasize the righteousness side, encouraged what is viewed as living the right way, for example not encouraging sin by legalizing gay marriage and things like that. The Left tends to emphasize the justice side, helping poor people and promoting racial equality. You have to have a firm knowledge of both these sides to understand who Jesus was. You can't lean too far to one side and you can't have one without the other. Jesus would not be labeled a liberal, according to Jesus himself, peace on earth is not gonna happen before He returns. He said things will only get worse, nation will rise against nation, and there will be more and more wars. The type of peace Jesus brings is in our hearts.

Answer 3

that's an staggering question. relatively that's land. Israel replaced into relatively created after WW2. (It existed in the previous yet then did no longer... somewhat difficult.) regrettably it replaced into created on Palestinian territory and surrounded via the Muslim international, which has thousands of years of scuffling with against and hating Jews. (very such as something of the international.) i could desire to write volumes on the subject. relatively they're scuffling with becuase they have continually been scuffling with. Grown adult men can no longer submit to in recommendations a time while they have not been scuffling with. that's there way of existence, regrettably. a answer could take tolerance and adulthood, and regrettably there would not seem lots of that during the middle East.

Answer 4

Jesus was liberal? I do not think so- He went against everything the world knows, but that does not make Him liberal. He did not tell mothers to abort their babies, He did not tell gays to marry. What do you call liberal? Jesus died a death to save every one in the world, either liberal or conservative. I have always wondered what you think are liberal about His teachings and views? Please share

Answer 5

Jesus did not have liberal views. I sure didn't see him save himself from the cross. I did not hear him scream about his rights when he was treated unjustly. He did everything in his life that the Law might be fulfilled for righteousness sake.

Jesus did not stress individual freedoms. He said take up your cross and follow him. Jesus did not have liberal views.

Ah yes thumbs down. Liberal, but not Christian aren't you?