"conservative"??

right now i am in the middle of a class on human differences. We talk a lot about biases, prejudices, discrimination and understand why these happen. It's a topic that often comes up in my discussions with others about social justice and how to get more of it in the world. There is oppression and hate but the question is what as Christians do we do about it?? Though one thing that has come up in our conversations is the label "conservative"

many people are confused by what "conservative" refers to. Is it a political frame of mind? If used as an adjective what does it really mean? It comes up in our class often because one particular person describes conservative views as if they are terrible and others obviously take offense to this tone. I can understand both sides of this issue. I hate to be ignored because "your just a crazy liberal" or blown off because "i think more conservatively" this to me seems as an excuse to ignore the issue we were discussing. yet on another hand it is something that is not really addressed.

what is a conservative christian?

well i can really only answer for me but i tend to classify conservatives as people whos views are more traditional and more focused on their own group instead of the entire world. That is a super broad idea (not even definition) but i think most of us already have an idea of what a conservative is. so why bring it up? i seem to at least find myself "fighting" against what i would call conservative ideas when talking about why it is so important to feed the hungry or reach out to those who are poor. Why?

Taking this class has taught me a little about appreciating diversity (that and kristina) though i have settled on the idea that we as christians are not going to agree completely and that is okay. Diversity of people and ideas are not ever going to completely go away and that is a wonderful thing. We will always have theological differences, different beliefs, cultural tendencies, however we believing in Jesus's teachings should be able to rise above and celebrate our differences while coming together to help our world. Conservative, liberal, progressive, catholic, methodist, hispanic, whatever lables we may find ourselves in- we can and must respect each other. The beauty of it is we have enough in common as christians to come together and make the world a better place. We also have a world of things to learn from all our differences it's beautiful.

So not alot said but yet an issue brought up - we are called to love each other -everyone, and i know i often forget what that means.

1 Corithians 13

if i speak in the tounges of men and of angels, but have not love, i am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.
if i only have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.
if i give all i possess to the poor and surrender my body fo the flames, but have not love, i gain nothing

love is patient , love is kind
it does not envy, it does not boast
it is not proud, it is not rude
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered
it keeps no record of wrongs
love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
it always protects, always trusts
always hope, alays preserves

love never fails

God is love and God loves us- social justice isn't about giving to the poor or having gifts, life is about loving God and our service coming out of that love.

God Bless
your sister in Christ ~Erin