liberal or conservative christians?

Question

i am 15 years old and consider myself to be a liberal christian. the problem is that the rest of my family is conservative. me and my parents (mostly mom) get into arguments about different topics. for example i think that homosexuality is wrong, but i would (and do) support my gay friends and think there is nothing wrong with them choosing that lifestyle for themselves. as with my mom, she would say that homosexuality is totally wrong and that i should stay away from gay people. other topics include swearing, taking the bible literally or figurativelly, secular music etc. so i want to know what you think about either conservatives or liberals and just your beliefs in general. thank you.

Answer 1

I am also a more liberal Christian and my parents are very conservative. We mostly just don't talk about religion anymore, as I would win every argument. :) Lol, just kidding. Actually, we just argued from completely different planes. Every answer to them was "faith" or "chose to believe". They never directly answered my questions really. Especially my mom, she just NEVER got it as she never questioned her faith and any answers she gets are handed to her from conservative choices (ie, she would read a book about all the lies The DaVinci Code told instead of just reading the actual book for herself). So now we just pretty much avoid the topic.

I have come to the conclusion that liberal Christians view the Bible as a compass, giving people a general direction to go. More conservative Christians view the Bible as a detailed map that tells you everything to do and believe. I try to live and let live now as I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I doubt God will strike us dead for having a few wrong beliefs. If he does, then we are all doomed because I don't believe anyone is 100% right 100% of the time. Except me, of course. ;) (Not really.)

Answer 2

Thank you for a very well-written and constructive question.

I do want to make one correction in what you say. Gay people do not "choose" a "lifestyle." We are born with lives, just as heterosexuals are born with lives. Did you wake up one bright, sunny morning and choose the heterosexual lifestyle (whatever that might be)? Well, neither did we choose the sexuality with which God created us.

But to answer your question, obviously, I'm more of a liberal Christian.

What do I think about conservative Christians? I think many of them are very decent, kind, sincere, loving people who try to do the right thing. I think some of them misunderstand the harm they do to gay people when they use the Bible in a way which supports, promotes or justifies homophobia. I think if they would understand that their beliefs are pushing gay people AWAY from Christ, some would reconsider.

No matter what your parents' belief is, I'm sure they love you and only want the best for you. God bless you and your family.

Answer 3

I am a liberal Christian. I don't believe that hatred and intolerance in the name of religion is right. You and I seem to agree on several different topics here. This is why I generally avoid the Fundamentalist churches and steer more toward the various progressive Christian denominations. I'm an Episcopalian, but also recommend the Unitarian Universalist church, Unity, and a number of other groups. Look for a church that believes in treating all other people with respect, and not just their own kind.

Answer 4

You're not too "liberal" if you think that homosexuality is a 'choice,' any more than heterosexuality is a 'choice.'

Rather than respond to political polling, where do you and your mom stand on helping the poor -- do you think that poor people should work harder, or do you respond the way Jesus would respond?

Read Confronting the Controversies by Adam Hamilton, or anything by Tony Campolo, for conversations about a wide assortment of issues from a Christian perspective.

In regards to swearing . . . don't swear because it's wrong, you shouldn't swear - first, because you want to be a good roll model for non-Christians, and second, swearing is of this world, not of God's Kingdom.

Godspeed.

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Upon deeper reflection -- I think it's foolish, and responding to worldly political marketing to self-describe yourself as either 'liberal' or "conservative."

Executions, for example -- "liberals" are usually against them, and "conservatives" are usually for them.

Who would Jesus execute? Our Lord and Savior was executed by the government, how can any follower of Christ in his right mind support executions? So is this really a 'liberal' or "conservative" issue? Are executions responding to the world in a worldly way, or responding to the world in the way Jesus would respond?

Ignore the idea of 'liberal' or "conservative" -- those are terms people use to win elections -- and instead focus on being a closer follower of Christ, and the only arguments you'll have are with people who are too uncomfortable following Christ so closely, and who'll respond with worldly excuses.

Godspeed.

Answer 5

Liberal, Consevative, left, right, we all can be christians if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And follow what the bible says we mus do and how we must live as christians. I don't always agree with liberals, and I don't always believe in consevatives and so on, but that doesn't mean we cant serve the same God. Who are we (or anybody else) to judge and say that people aren't christians. Isn't that the Lords job?

Answer 6

A lot of times the young people of the family are more liberal minded than the older ones...in my life I have been both conservative, liberal and moderate...I find my views change as life experiences have an effect on my thinking...I suppose right now I am a little right of center, if you can understand that...a moderate...

Answer 7

Friend, if you're a true born-again christian, you will follow what the bible says. If your being liberal goes against the teachings of the bible then you're liberalism is just pure pride. and the bible says----"Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

Remember what our duty is to God?--------- "Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

The first commandment with a promise is to honor your father and mother.

To God be the Glory! Foerver and

Answer 8

You have provided an excellent example of why I reject liberalism.

"for example i think that homosexuality is wrong, but i would (and do) support my gay friends and think there is nothing wrong with them choosing that lifestyle for themselves." This is the typical liberal mind set. It is what is know as moral relativism.

It would be far better if you thought homosexuality is a good thing. If you know it is wrong, you cannot in good conscience find nothing wrong in your friends choosing it. Just plug in any action you think is wrong and you will see the folly of this statement.

I believe lying is wrong but I support my friends who choose dishonesty. I believe stealing is wrong but I support my friends who choose the shoplifting lifestyle. I believe drunk driving is wrong but I support my friends who choose the impared driving lifestyle.

You cannot believe something is wrong and then support those who engage in it. Being a Christian or a member of any religion is to believe in moral absolutes. There is right and there is wrong. You must support and defend that which is right. You must oppose that which is wrong. I can tell you right now, it is a difficult thing to do. It is far easier to remain quiet while "right" is being impuned and or "wrong" is being glorified.

To be a Christian Conservative is to stand up for what is right. What you are doing is standing up for what is popular. That is Christian Liberalism.

.

Answer 9

We should do what the bible says and love one another(human beings). It doesn't say love only other christians, our own race etc...Jesus was accused of being blasphemous b/c he was hanging around with sinners, wasn't he?
Is your Mom this passionate r/e all sin, such as adultery which destroys families and lives? If your brother committed adultery would she forbid you to associate with him? Just wondering b/c I was taught sin is sin and to not be tolerant of any sin.
What do you think Jesus would do?

Answer 10

Tell her you are trying to decide whether to remain a liberal Christian or convert to Islam. I'm sure she will be more tolerant if you choose the former.