Three days ago, in meditation #2269 I wrote this: “Liberals, to their credit, are usually more apt (than conservatives) to let everyone have their say (although that is less common today among liberals than in the past).”
I should have clarified that more. There is a huge difference between classic liberalism in which there is much to admire, and the new radical left, which is in many ways ignorant and dangerous. The old, classic liberalism was a strong advocate of free speech. The new left wants to suppress anything they disagree with, or, have ‘intolerance in the name of tolerance.’ The next two videos make some helpful distinctions. Both can be found at: http://www.prageru.com .
The first one, “Left or LIberal,” illustrates the difference between classic liberalism and the new radical left:
https://www.prageru.com/video/left-or-liberal/
The second, “The Intolerance of Tolerance,” shows how the new radical left opposes free speech:
https://www.prageru.com/video/the-intolerance-of-tolerance/
I do not want to turn this into a political post, but as Christians we need to think about how to disagree. We are deeply divided as a nation and we Christians need to be able to disagree with respect and good will. Liberals and conservatives are not doing that very well these days, and we must strive to do and be better.
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Ecclesiastes 7:8b-9 — Patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
I Peter 2:17a — Show proper respect to everyone…
Romans 14:10 — You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
II Timothy 2:24 — The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not be resentful.
Ephesians 4:31-32 — Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Galatians 4:16 — Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Matthew 7:12a — (Jesus said), “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
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Once more a new day lies before us, our Father. As we go out among others to do our work, touching the lives of our fellows, make us, we pray, friends of all the world. Save us from blighting any heart by the flare of sudden anger or secret hate. May we not bruise the rightful self-respect of anyone by contempt or malice. Help us to cheer the suffering by our sympathy, to freshen the despairing by our hopefulness, and to strengthen in all the wholesome sense of worth and the joy of life. Save us from the deadly poison of pride. Grant that we may look all people in the face with the eyes of a brother or a sister. If anyone needs us, make us ready to yield our help ungrudgingly, unless higher duties claim us. May we rejoice that we have been abundantly blessed by you, and are thus able to be helpful to our fellowmen. We pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN. –Walter Rauschenbusch