Not Liberal But Left, That's the Threat

Liberalism has typically been thought of as the opposite of Conservative, and in a few ways it is, particularly its outlook upon big government. But a far more pernicious threat now exists in the ideology of Leftism that is not only the opposite of Conservative but the enemy of everything for which conservatism stands. Anti-God, anti-human, anti-democracy Leftist ideologues can now be found in positions of influence at every level and within nearly every sector of American culture. Leftists who now often go by Leftist Progressives or simply Progressives, an oxymoron if there ever was one, tear down, damage, and destroy in their quest for cultural influence. Contrary to their constant pleas for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, the one true goal and god of Progressives is power. Conservatives who want to continue to fight the good fight, who want to preserve what is good and best about America, must recognize their primary opponent is no longer Liberalism but Leftism. For more Christian commentary see my website at rexmrogers.com. 

Transcript

What is the source of the increasing anxiety, fear, and fragmentation in American culture? Why can’t we all just get along? What’s happening to e pluribus unum?

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #83 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.
 

If you are a Conservative of a certain age, you probably long ago learned to consider those who disagree with your social-political views as “Liberal.” Or maybe you’ve learned to make jokes when something goes awry – the cake burned in the oven or you got a flat tire – well, the Liberals did it.

But a significant change has taken place in the American political landscape that should cause all of us who are Conservative to rethink our sense of the opposition.

And by the way, the other side is no longer a “loyal opposition” as was once the honored political phrase referencing those on the outside who loved their country but held differing views from those in power. Now, the other side is not loyal and does not love their country.

Now, the accurate term for those who work to undermine conservative views and principals is not so much liberal as “Leftists.” They are people who hold Far Left views quite distinct from old time Liberals.

Most Conservatives demonstrate a respect for religion, particularly Judeo-Christianity. They believe in God and recognize that without God, there is no good and evil, no beauty, no wisdom, no free will, no justice. Conservatives believe truth is objectively identifiable, not a matter of subjective whim or identity group politics, and therefore knowledge, based upon evidence, is the foundation of real science. 

Conservatives acknowledge that human beings are made in the image of God, and that life and liberty are inalienable rights, gifts from God, not government. Consequently, they affirm a color-blind approach to race, recognizing that race is a matter of biology and a gift from God, not a matter of value or potential.

Conservatives vigorously affirm and defend freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and they believe e pluribus unum is both possible and essential to our national identity. Conservatives believe in responsibilities as well as rights.

Conservatives celebrate equality of opportunity and advancement based upon one’s merit and work ethic, so they support free enterprise capitalism, recognizing this system while not perfect has produced more well-being than any other economic system in the world.

Since Conservatives believe justice is what aligns with God’s righteous moral will, they support law and order, and they are patriotic supporters of their nation because of its ideals, land of the free and home of the brave. Conservatives celebrate the time-tested, honored values of Western Civilization and the freedom and blessing it has produced.

Now, interestingly, while Liberals tend to trust big government more than Conservatives, they typically reject socialism and otherwise affirm many of the same values as Conservatives.

Liberals believe in God, objective truth, law and order, free enterprise, nationalism, patriotism. They are committed to racial integration. Liberals, like FDR, champion Western Civilization, Western art, and literature.

Now that’s a snapshot of Conservatives and Liberals. They both love their country, and they aren’t that different in their foundational beliefs.

But division and rancor are now defining elements of American culture. The source of this division and rancor is a now-dominant Leftist political philosophy that has taken control of public education, universities, media, entertainment, professional sports, corporations, and even religion.

This Leftist philosophy or Leftism or now self-identified by the oxymoron “Progressives” is rooted in what’s called Cultural Marxism. Division is its stock in trade. Every discussion, every issue, is conceived as Us vs Them, Victims vs Oppressors.

Certainly, unlike Conservatives and unlike true Liberals, Leftists are typically hostile to religion, especially Christianity. Leftist Progressives do not believe in God, yet many on the Left say they believe in God, but this is generally a god of their own making.

They believe human beings are socially constructed, either via some social determinism or through a humanist belief that we can make ourselves anything we want to be. Leftist Progressives believe truth is not identified but created.

Leftist Progressives are not guided by a moral compass, but by power (if you are weak, you are good, if are strong, you are bad), race (non-white, good, white, bad), and class. Economics, they believe, explains most behaviors. 

Leftist Progressives trust not reason but feelings, subjective, rollercoaster emotions. For them, the source of possible improvement is not religion, God, or moral choices but the self. They distrust freedom of speech.

Leftist Progressives promote a sense of entitlement and a lack of gratitude. They oppose capitalism and want to usher in state socialism. Leftist Progressives are anti-American because they see the country as simply a mechanism of white supremacy, racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and imperialism. Consequently, they call themselves “world citizens” who believe in open borders.

Leftist Progressives think the terms color blind, human race, and racial integration are all “racist.” So, they endlessly promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, vague terms used to bludgeon all who disagree and to advance their view of justice as equality of outcomes. They hate Western Civilization. 

Since the way Leftist Progressives gain power is by exploiting victimhood, they argue for LGBTQ+ and gender identities including androgyny. This issue is the point of their spear. Leftist Progressives reject the traditional family and they promote abortion.

“Liberalism is a political philosophy. Leftism is a cult.

Liberalism espouses a core set of values and principles—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press—that are applied to every situation in every country of the world.

Leftism espouses a fascist interpretation of said principles with a selective application.

Liberalism allows for different points of view…Leftists angrily silence all dissent…

Leftists argue by name-calling, bullying, and ending friendships. Liberals argue by using arguments…

Leftists see the role of universities as the indoctrination of Leftism. Liberals see the role of universities as the enhancement of critical thinking.

Leftists see the role of the media as the indoctrination of Leftism. Liberals see a distinct difference between objective reporting and opinion.”

Conservatism seeks to preserve what is tested, known, trusted, and best for individual liberty and flourishing. Leftism works to degrade, disrupt, disenchant, and it destroys everything it touches.

Leftist Progressivism is now the dominant cult-like political philosophy, a religion really, in American culture.

Problem is, not only is Leftism deadly; it’s morally unsustainable. Leftism leads to debt, loss of sense of purpose and creativity, declining industrial innovation, 

loss of hope including desire to marry or have children, fear rather than risk-taking, materialist self-aggrandizement, division, disillusionment, anxiety, despair, a culture of death, secular nihilism, hopelessness.

Leftist Progressivism is postmodern paganism.

“Our current civilizational struggle is not reflective of a refined policy debate between amicable partisans; rather, it is one that implicates fundamentally distinct theological and anthropological visions of mankind -- of man's very biology and his relation with his fellow man, the state and God Himself.” 

Claremont Institute President Ryan Williams observed, “Even during the Civil War – I think we're more divided now than we were then. As Lincoln said, we all prayed to the same God. We all believed in the same Constitution. We just differed over the question of slavery.”

“This is perhaps most clearly true when it comes to gender ideology and transgenderism, which is the issue most directly implicated…(in) America's fundamental divide as a struggle between differing theological and anthropological conceptions of man…That is not a debate where the ‘best white paper wins.’ 

It is a zero-sum contestation of clashing visions of the human person, rooted in diametrically opposed substantive underpinnings. And more to the point, the forces of godlessness, paganism and civilizational arson certainly already treat the debate over gender ideology as a vicious winner-take-all battle.” 

Today’s Leftist Progressive protestors “are not open to rational debate. They are not willing to be reasoned with. Rather, they know their conclusions, because they have fully imbibed a highly fashionable -- if false -- anthropological and ‘theological’ conception of man. Those of us on the side of civilizational sanity need all the help we can get in pushing back against the onslaught.”

Meanwhile, there is hope. God is still Sovereign. Christianity leads to individual dignity, value, liberty, freedom of religion, speech, beauty, excellence, righteousness, justice, death is not the end, sense of ultimate purpose, optimism.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone to give the reason for the hope.

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. 

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2023   

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.