Liberal Christianity

Lesson 1: Introduction and Assessment of Personal Spiritual Attitudes

Liberals, Conservatives and Fundamentalists

Many people introduce themselves in categorized or labeled ways. Some might do so by describing themselves as a “Southerner” or a “Yankee” or politically as a Conservative or Liberal. (Since I live in Washington State, my sister calls me a “tree-hugging, mocha-snarfing Northwesterner.”)

Having been labeled or having self-labeled, we at times find ourselves living, acting or speaking in ways that reflect that label. I grew up in a Mormon culture in southeastern Idaho and for years thought of myself in terms of not only LDS doctrines but also as a non-smoking, non-alcohol-drinking and non-coffee-drinking teetotaler (and proud of it!)

Assess your Spirituality Test One

Below you will find links to two different self-tests that will reflect a common or societal categorizing in religious or spiritual terms according to what you believe. The tests are not pass/fail, but rather an indication of where your thinking and attitudes would place you in terms of people with whom you agree as well as do not agree.

For lesson one, let’s indulge ourselves in a little self-categorization activity.

A. We will start with our preconceived definitions. The following glossary contains words and labels most often used in a religious context. Beside each write YOUR definition what is meant:

1. Liberal Christian:

2. Conservative Christian:

3. Fundamentalist Christian:

4. Spirituality:

5. Inerrant Bible:

6. Evangelical:

7. The Word:

8. Backslider:

9. Righteousness:

10. Goodness:

11. Morality:

12. Ethics:

13. Kingdom of God:

14. Wrath of God:

15. Compassion:

16. Hypocrite:

17. Sin:

18. Second Coming:

19. Rapture:

20. End Times:

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