Christianity today remains a contentious topic. In the US, it is a faith that is still highly polarizing and prone to heated debates. While there have always been conservative and liberal concepts within the Christian community, the ideologies have intensified in recent years. As such, the discussion of if Christianity is conservative or liberal is now a heated one.
The key difference between conservative and liberal Christianity lies in how each view is interpreted and expressed. Conservatives largely focus on abiding by traditional values and dismissing change. However, liberals are more open to modern interpretation, such as integrating new technology into the faith. They are also more open to new social movements such as LGBTQ rights or gender equality.
In 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has also influenced accepted social values, particularly in regards to church gatherings. As religious meetings are respected as essential services in some countries, there have been visible differences of opinion between members of the Christian community with some taking a more liberal approach, while others adopt more conservative values. For example, in the UK, one recent study conducted by the House of Commons Library showed that the Church of England with 47% of services being broadcast online, challenges the conservative ideology.
When examining political and social engagement, the distinction between liberal and conservative Christianity also becomes clear. Conservatives are more likely to take a more traditional political approach and accept a strict interpretation of the Bible as it relates to marriage and sexuality. As such, opinions can vary across different denominations that involve similar beliefs. Meanwhile, liberal Christians are more open to social activism, favouring a more liberal interpretation of the scriptures. Their focus is on improving communities and helping those in need.
The differences in opinion between conservative and liberal Christianity often also come down to custom and tradition. While conservatives are more likely to look at faith from a historical perspective and view existing institutions as an integral part of their values, liberals see such beliefs as outdated. They are more likely to view scripture and faith from a modern perspective and are willing to challenge existing conventions.
In terms of Catholic and Protestant viewpoints, there have been noticeable differences between the two. Catholics find conservative principles more comforting in terms of their values and religious practices, while Protestant denominations paying less attention to traditional rituals and customs, allowing them more flexibility.
At the end of the day, the answer to this debate is a personal one depending on a Christian’s individual beliefs. The debate around if Christianity should be more conservative or liberal comes down to finding a balance between traditional values and embracing change. Individual members of the faith must decide which path resonates more with their beliefs, and how much of a shift they feel would be beneficial for the progression of the religion.
Political Values
When discussing the intertwined topic of politics and Christianity, the primary difference between the two ideologies is that liberals tend to prefer a bigger government and higher taxes, while conservatives generally advocate for lower taxes and less government intervention. Conservatives also believe that the Bible dictates the way we should interact with the world and how people should govern themselves, while liberals take a more progressive approach by interpreting the sacred text in a modern context.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon to find conservative Christians who oppose abortion while their liberal counterparts tend to endorse it. This is a prime example of how individual interpretations based on the same Bible can have varying results. More conservative denominations are more likely to accept the traditional doctrine of marriage being between one man and one woman. On the other hand, those that are more liberal are more likely to accept LGBTQ rights and access to abortion services.
Views on Social Issues
At the same time, conservative and liberal Christians have different perspectives on social issues. Generally, more conservative Christians tend to disagree with certain social values such as same-sex marriage and abortion, while liberal Christians are more likely to support these issues. Additionally, conservative Christians tend to be against government spending and taxation, often believing the latter infringes on their freedom, whereas a more liberal Christian may believe those in need should be supported by a generous government.
Overall, there will always be divisions within Christianity when it comes to their views on social issues, however there are some common tenets. Both conservatives and liberals advocate against the legalization of drugs, while they also conclude that it is just to take care of the poor and respect the rights of citizens.
Community Outreach
While conservative and liberal Christians may disagree on various points of social justice and morality, they also often look to find meaningful ways to contribute to their communities in similar ways. Conservative members of the faith usually look to parish-based evangelization and outreach activities, while liberal denominations may look to providing resources such as shelters or job placement for those in need.
Sometimes those from the more liberal perspectives may support the total offering of health services to the less fortunate, while the conservatives may oppose government-funded healthcare or the financial support of expecting single mothers. Nevertheless, they both strive to aid those in need and create a more compassionate society.
Implicit And Explicit Values
Undoubtedly, conservative and liberal Christianity have some particularly pronounced implicit and explicit values. To start, both the conservatives and the liberals agree on the moral principles found in the Bible. While they may interpret them differently, they all agree that scripture should be engaged with and practiced. Furthermore, both believe in the power of prayer and honouring the Sabbath.
The primary difference between the two ideologies is how these values manifest in their respective applications. The conservatives, for example, might value opting for a more orthodox interpretation of scripture and traditional worship, whereas the liberals may favour new methods such as broadcasting church services, or even integrating technology into their faith.
Point Of View
At the end of the day, the answer to the question if Christianity is conservative or liberal ultimately comes down to individual opinion and achieving a balance between tradition and change. While there may be disagreements between denominations, it is surely inspiring to see how positive steps can be taken to ensure the whole of Christianity upholds its values in societal settings and in their wider communities.
The debate may not necessarily have a clear answer, but it nevertheless remains important to recognize the implications of such a discussion. After all, it presents an opportunity to examine one’s individual beliefs and better understand their own personal spirituality.
