{"id":194,"date":"2009-02-03T13:00:51","date_gmt":"2009-02-03T13:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/tonyjones\/2009\/02\/progressive-or-liberal.html"},"modified":"2009-02-03T13:00:51","modified_gmt":"2009-02-03T13:00:51","slug":"progressive-or-liberal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/tonyjones\/2009\/02\/progressive-or-liberal.html","title":{"rendered":"“Progressive” or “Liberal”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over at GetReligion, Mollie dissects a WaPo story on the new Religious Lef<\/a>t…um…er…the religious “progressives.”<\/p>\n

\n

Progressive<\/strong>? Is this the best descriptor for
\nreligious groups who advocate for liberal political aims? I have used
\nthe term regularly in the past and can argue for its use. But I’ve
\nheard from people all across the spectrum who don’t like it. Some on
\nthe right say that it implies people who don’t share a belief in, say,
\nhigher taxes are regressive or oppressive. Some on the left think that
\nit denigrates the theological basis and grounding for their views. What
\ndo you think? Is that the best term out there or what would you prefer?
\nIt is somewhat funny that religious groups on the right are frequently
\ncalled the religious right or Christian conservatives but we don’t see
\nmuch use of the terms religious left or liberal Christians. So maybe I
\nshould ask what are some better terms for all the varied religious
\ngroups that engage in the public square.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Then she tackles Social Justice…oops…<\/p>\n

\n

This is a good example of why I refrain from using the term social
\njustice. Basically, I have no idea what it means. I understand what it
\nmeans in terms of Catholic social teaching<\/a>.
\nBut the foundational principle of Catholic social teaching is the
\nsanctity of all human life and the inherent dignity of every human
\nperson. But I don’t think protecting all human’s right to life is what
\nis meant in this story’s use of the term social justice. Does it mean equal allocation of society’s benefits<\/a>
\n— another definition of social justice? Or what? I just don’t know what
\nthat term means and see no reason against being very specific about
\nwhat it does mean in an article like this. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I tend to use the term “progressive.”  In fact, I used it several times with a WaPo reporter yesterday.  But is it the best?  What say you?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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