liberals, conservatives, and word crimes

Democrat = Liberal. Republican = Conservative. All too often, we assume these equations to be true. 

But, if we're honest with ourselves, things just aren't this simple. 

The monikers of conservative fail to fully grasp the nuances of thought available across the political spectrum, as well as the religious spectrum. For instance, it is possible for someone to hope for a world without abortion as well as embrace undocumented immigrants. It is possible for someone to propose a pacifistic approach to foreign policy (and, indeed, all facets of life) as well as argue for limitations in federal spending. It is possible to advocate for more racial reconciliation as well as promote small government. Some lean more liberally, others lean more conservatively, all within the same person. 

As fault lines continue to fracture the country, we set off more earthquakes as we assume one political conviction constitutes the entirety of a person's identity. 

Weird Al recently released a song called Word Crimes, a play on Robin Thicke's hit Blurred Lines (the video is below). His hilarious reminder is this: Be careful with language.

I'd say that applies to how we use the words liberal or conservative. I'm proudly liberal in some ways and conservative in others. To simply accuse someone of being one or the other is to reduce their personhood to an impotent set of propositions rather than the dynamic person that holds certain beliefs. 

This is especially true for those of us who are Christians, for we believe that underneath all the actions and beliefs that constitute our being lies the foundation of the imago dei, the image of God. Once marred by sin, Jesus redeemed the divine image within humanity through his life, death, and resurrection. Within one another, whatever political positions we might hold, lies a little Christ, that image of God that God gave us in creation and burns within us through the Holy Spirit.

We are much more than a set of beliefs. We are children of God. Let's treat one another that way.