Redeeming the "L Word"

Faith in the Public Square
Published in the Lompoc Record
Dr. Bob Cornwall
March 18, 2007

Once upon a time to be liberal was a good thing, but today to be a liberal is to be godless and unpatriotic. The word has become so disrespected that many liberals run from the label and call themselves by other names. This is the age of Limbaugh, Hannity, and Coulter.

Until recently, conservative Republicans controlled all three branches of the American government, and conservative church leaders had the president's ear. The once powerful Mainline Protestant churches sat on the sidelines looking back wistfully at what had once been theirs. While the recent elections may portend a turning of the tides, it's much too early yet to tell which way the wind is actually blowing.

The rise of conservatism is explained by an appeal to ideas. Liberals, unlike conservatives, seem to lack ideas and a willingness to stand up for what they believe. Of course this isn't really true, but the political and religious right have done a good job at portraying themselves as the true protectors of American political, cultural, and religious values.

It may only be a matter of semantics, because it's quite possible that “liberals” are really “conservatives” and “conservatives” are “liberals.” Turning to my trusty Merriam-Webster OnLine dictionary, I discovered that the definition of “liberal” is to be free, generous, and broadminded (it can also mean licentious or loose). Freedom, generosity, and broadmindedness would seem to be good American values, for Americans, as a liberal people, aren't “bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms.” As for the dictionary definition of the word conservative - I'll deal with it next week! (to continue reading, click here)