Wednesday, April 25, 2007

WORDS

Words
NPR recently carried a discussion re: meanings and uses of the words “conservative” and “liberal”. While we have moved from a culture that comfortably separates people on the basis of their skin color, the labels of “conservative” or “Liberal” enjoy significant use.
Denominations, as well as parishes within denominations, are labeled as “conservative” or “liberal” – usually in a derogatory fashion!
One’s few on how humans live out their sexuality are labeled “conservative” or “liberal” irrespective of what modern scriptural textual criticism or science have offered.
Political ideas are affirmed or denied insofar as they can be labeled “conservative” or “liberal”.
One’s position re: the war in Iraq is labeled “conservative” or “liberal”, rather than seen as for peace or for achieving stability.
Around the globe nations struggle with the issue of abortion, unable to develop dialog beyond the labels of “conservative” or “liberal”!

It occurred to me during that NPR discussion there appeared to be a large assumption! It was assumed that listeners would automatically know how the words “conservative” or “liberal” were being defined. Further, that those definitions were so well known as to not make any additional qualifiers necessary.

Yet, that is not how it has worked in my life. The majority of individuals who know me assign the “liberal” title to my thoughts and positions. Yet-
o in the 1960s I was a strong supporter of Barry Goldwater for President
o my approach to budget management in the parishes I have served as interim is very conservative
o my approach to how we use the earth and creation affirms ‘conservation’ as the norm.

There are similar inconsistencies in folks generally labeled as “conservative”. Individuals who supported mission trips to Mexico, led programs that asked people to take funds from their I.R.A. to support their parish, and who strongly pursued the use of technology in worship.

Indeed, one might reasonably conclude that the terms “conservative” or “liberal” actually cloud issues that require full discussion if resolution is to be attained. A conclusion that is even supported by a review of how the Cambridge and American Heritage dictionaries define them.
Ø Conservative: favoring traditional views and values; tending not to like change; tending to conserve/preserve natural resources
Ø Liberal: respecting & allowing many different types of beliefs or behavior; not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views or dogmas; tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others

Most of us will discover ourselves defined by both words. I might “favor” a traditional view towards worship – and can respect a different approach. I can be “pro-choice”, affirm the choice of a gay or lesbian to seek a committed relationship, and be open to the religious creeds of non-Christians – AND – affirm that life does begin even before conception, affirm that the truths in ancient scriptural texts reflected cultural and knowledge levels of that day rather than being the norms for today, and continue to seek to follow the teachings of Jesus as appropriate for me [without the necessity of making them absolutes for all].

Let’s seek to have dialogue without resorting to inappropriate labels of “conservative” or “liberal”.