I am constantly amused when I search the internet regarding differences between liberal and conservative or what defines a conservative. I even attempted to take a test that would determine whether you were liberal, conservative, libertarian, progressive, moderate, or authoritarian. Then after answering the questions, which all seemed vague or misleading, I found out they would mail the results if I gave them my email. That was a definite NO, because I have hundreds already.
Then I explored different articles by experts and unknown citizens who could be Antifa or college dropouts, as far as I know. Depending on who is writing the explanation, a conservative desires security, predictability and authority whereas liberals are comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity. Hey! I like surprises, new things, making international meals, video games, and critical thinking puzzles. That sounds like I’m a liberal! NOT!
Then I explored different articles by experts and unknown citizens who could be Antifa or college dropouts, as far as I know. Depending on who is writing the explanation, a conservative desires security, predictability and authority whereas liberals are comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity. Hey! I like surprises, new things, making international meals, video games, and critical thinking puzzles. That sounds like I’m a liberal! NOT!
Some scientific study showed that an area in the brain that detects errors and resolves conflicts tends to be larger in liberals. The amygdala (that’s one of those words from Biology 101 that I have forgotten) which is important for regulating emotions and evaluating threats, is larger in conservatives. I’m not even sure I understand this one except that the conservative remains cool and calm while evaluating threats, but this doesn’t square with the old “War of the Worlds” where the priest, cool and calm, approaches the alien machine and gets zapped.
There are those who say conservatives are fearful, lazy, stingy, contented and complacent with life as it is. (Obviously a liberal). They (conservatives) are frequently nostalgic, usually more realistic than idealistic, inclined to bring others to adjust to their priorities, ‘for their own good’, attached to predictability, acceptant and defendant of the collectivity, of the status quo, of things as they are. As a result, they may be perceived as authoritarian, sometimes pessimistic. (Definitely NOT a pessimist!)
A liberal is a man who believes in liberty. (Are you kidding me?) They are convinced that change and progress are possible and necessary, whether in law, or structures, or established ways of doing things. Liberals are substantially favorable to individual rights and freedoms, impatient with fixity, often willing to discard what they have received from others, from the past.
As you can see, no one can really explain conservative or liberal without digressing to their own agenda or opinion. Or maybe it’s just that people are a combination of both, and have different values, morals, expectations, etc., etc. Or maybe Conservative and Liberals are just labels that people want to use to convince us that we are divided and can’t find common ground.
I choose to believe that as Christians we have Kingdom values that we live by that are considered conservative. We honor the authority of our Father in heaven, the sanctity of life, and the covenant of marriage between men and women. We choose to honor family, country, constitution and those who have given their lives to protect these things. We choose to love God, our neighbors and ourselves. We stand for the rights of freedom for all men and women regardless of race or ethnic background. We believe our dependence should be on God not government. That to me is what I consider a conservative thinker. I really like the following statement made by a Christian homeschooling mother:
There are those who say conservatives are fearful, lazy, stingy, contented and complacent with life as it is. (Obviously a liberal). They (conservatives) are frequently nostalgic, usually more realistic than idealistic, inclined to bring others to adjust to their priorities, ‘for their own good’, attached to predictability, acceptant and defendant of the collectivity, of the status quo, of things as they are. As a result, they may be perceived as authoritarian, sometimes pessimistic. (Definitely NOT a pessimist!)
A liberal is a man who believes in liberty. (Are you kidding me?) They are convinced that change and progress are possible and necessary, whether in law, or structures, or established ways of doing things. Liberals are substantially favorable to individual rights and freedoms, impatient with fixity, often willing to discard what they have received from others, from the past.
As you can see, no one can really explain conservative or liberal without digressing to their own agenda or opinion. Or maybe it’s just that people are a combination of both, and have different values, morals, expectations, etc., etc. Or maybe Conservative and Liberals are just labels that people want to use to convince us that we are divided and can’t find common ground.
I choose to believe that as Christians we have Kingdom values that we live by that are considered conservative. We honor the authority of our Father in heaven, the sanctity of life, and the covenant of marriage between men and women. We choose to honor family, country, constitution and those who have given their lives to protect these things. We choose to love God, our neighbors and ourselves. We stand for the rights of freedom for all men and women regardless of race or ethnic background. We believe our dependence should be on God not government. That to me is what I consider a conservative thinker. I really like the following statement made by a Christian homeschooling mother:
Welcome! I’m Sallie, a Christian wife, mother, homebody, autodidact,
and truth seeker. I write about my life and things that interest me.
I am unapologetically traditional and conservative both theologically
and politically. I value liberty and freedom to live quiet, simple lives.
I don't apologize for being white.
and truth seeker. I write about my life and things that interest me.
I am unapologetically traditional and conservative both theologically
and politically. I value liberty and freedom to live quiet, simple lives.
I don't apologize for being white.
Amen! That’s a good description of the life of freedom that belief in God can provide. If being a Christian makes you a conservative, as some believe, then so be it. But I would rather believe that being Christian makes you a citizen of the Kingdom of God and thus an Ekklesiacrat!
Live as children of light
and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless
deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5:8-11
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