True Religion And Progressivism Cannot Co-Exist

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I wonder if the author is approaching this from the wrong end. Most people I know find a church that aligns with their values, not the (presumably) Catholic notion of aligning one’s value with the church.

Also the concept of a great “void” has always been an odd one. I’ve heard many flavors of it but it just doesn’t ring true in my personal experience.
 
upant said:
true-religion-and-progressivism-cannot-co-exist
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I think that depends upon how one defines religion.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1: 27

If the progressive Democrats take care of orphans and widows, are they not being True?
 
guanophore said:
I think that depends upon how one defines religion.
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Or how one defines progressivism. From the article:

“Progressivism is, by definition, its own religion.”

So this guys logic is on shaky ground when you have to make stuff up to serve as the basis for an opinion. I could do this with anything. Religion and rock can’t co-exist because rock and roll is its own religion.
 
guanophore said:
If the progressive Democrats take care of orphans and widows, are they not being True?
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how do progressives take care of orphans and babies?

even if they did it still doesn’t excuse their sacrifice of other babies
 
This assumes a definition of “progressives” as those who also believe in abortion. Again, definitions matter. The root of the idea, favoring progress and change in government should be acceptable. This author just uses the word as a pejorative, something to lump people together for the purpose of demonization, like “liberal” or “right-wing” is often used.
 
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And, just like other religions throughout history, especially Judaism and Christianity, adherents to this toxic philosophy are also proud to die for the religion of progressivism. Martyrdom is a small price to pay as the sacrifice to its altar.
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I don’t think he’s seriously redefining the term “religion”. He is using it loosely. He also uses other terms to describe what he means, like in the above quote, he uses the word “philosophy”.

But I disagree with what he says in the above quote. And I think he may have missed an important distinction between the religions he names here, Judaism and Christianity, and progressivism. Progressives are not willing to die for their philosophy, but they are willing to kill other people for it. The 20th century is full of deaths in the name of progressivism. Specifically, progressivism under the heading of Soviet Marxism, Hitler’s eugenics, and abortion in America.
 
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Progress is part of the natural order, progression is part of our physical, moral and spiritual life. Christians are committed progressives. Each day we make progress on our journey to be perfection as our Father is perfect.

We get in trouble when we take a phrase or word or title and twist it to identify one stereotype of people whom we despise.
 
I don’t think the term is being twisted. I think it’s generally accepted that when a person describes themselves as a progressive person, without any qualifications, it means that they believe in Progressivism, a political or social philosophy, one that historically has put “progress” before God. Whether God takes a backseat to progress on purpose or simply by ignorance doesn’t seem to make a difference anymore, where it probably did in the past, say, to a Marxist.
 
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1Lord1Faith said:
I don’t think the term is being twisted. I think it’s generally accepted that when a person describes themselves as a progressive person, it means that they believe in Progressivism, a political or social philosophy, one that puts “progress” before God.
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I don’t think that definition is the accepted one. How about citing an authority?

Here is a whole Wiki on “Progressivism” and it says nothing about putting anything ahead of God.
 
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The Wikipedia description of Progressivism simply acknowledges that it pushes for reform. A more general description, I cannot imagine. But to Wikipedia’s credit, it also says:
The meanings of progressivism have varied over time and from different perspectives.
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Reform can mean any type of change. But no where does any definition of Progressivism qualify that those changes are based on any sort of theology, or understanding of a higher power. There is no philosophy defined as a guideline for reform, or improvements. Who defines what is good reform? Everyone thinks their own vision of reform is best.

So in short, to advance the “philosophy” of reform without any description of which reforms are “good” is to wander aimlessly until a consensus is formed over long periods of time.

Simply looking at where anti-theists place themselves on the political spectrum is enough to define Progressivism as a philosophy that puts “progress” before God, whether on purpose or not.
 
And, just like other religions throughout history, especially Judaism and Christianity, adherents to this toxic philosophy are also proud to die for the religion of progressivism. Martyrdom is a small price to pay as the sacrifice to its altar.

Well…I guess Jesus must have been a progressive…started a whole new religion…and starting with his disciples down through the ages probably hundreds of thousands…if not millions have been martyred for their belief in their Christian faith…poor blind progressive fools
 
TheLittleLady said:
We get in trouble when we take a phrase or word or title and twist it to identify one stereotype of people whom we despise.
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we can define a term (that changes thru time) by the the actions and words of the people who claim to be it at the time in question. to be a main street progressive today means pro-abortion, pro-transgender, pro-homosexuality, pro same-sex marriage, anti-main street religion, etc.

how can you be catholic and any of the above? you can love the sinner and hate the sin, but today’s progressives don’t even recognize the sin.

trying to redefine progressive to fit your belief isn’t the answer. what do the main body of progressives believe? Are you catholic or a progressive. they are not compatible.
 
What is amusing, I sat at a family reunion and listened to die hard, life long members of both major political parties, people from 3 of the major world religions and a life long atheist, each ranted about “progressives” as the enemy.

Progressive is a handy catch phrase for “people who do not have the same opinions as I do”.
 
True

There are many solid Catholics who support government spending on social programs, universal healthcare, and environmental protection for example, while opposing abortion and same sex marriage as examples

Liberalism is at its core about economic and governmental involvement. These issues are value neutral in catholic moral teaching.

I guess I am using the terms progressive and liberal interchangeably, which may not be appropriate
 
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1Lord1Faith said:
The Wikipedia description of Progressivism simply acknowledges that it pushes for reform. A more general description, I cannot imagine. But to Wikipedia’s credit, it also says:
The meanings of progressivism have varied over time and from different perspectives.
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It is true that different people have different ideas of what is “good.” Therefore some efforts toward “progress” (like eugenics) will seem “bad” to you and to me. And indeed they are bad. But many of those efforts you and I will probably agree are “good,” such as the banning of slavery, universal primary education, rural electrification, the railroad, the national highway system, etc. To your point about wandering “aimlessly”, that is not true. There is such a thing as “natural law,” which God has planted in each and every human heart, whether that person acknowledges God or not. Not everyone listens to that voice planted in them by God, but it is there. Natural law gives all people the encouragement toward the good (even if that encouragement is sometimes ignored). This gives an “aim” to the human desire for progress. So Progressivism is not aimless.
Simply looking at where anti-theists place themselves on the political spectrum is enough to define Progressivism as a philosophy that puts “progress” before God, whether on purpose or not.
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That is a logical fallacy. You are claiming that because anti-theists like something, that something must be evil. Even anti-theists love their mothers.
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1Lord1Faith said:
I don’t think the term is being twisted. I think it’s generally accepted that when a person describes themselves as a progressive person, without any qualifications, it means that they believe in Progressivism, a political or social philosophy, one that historically has put “progress” before God. Whether God takes a backseat to progress on purpose or simply by ignorance doesn’t seem to make a difference anymore, where it probably did in the past, say, to a Marxist.
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I’m sorry, I don’t buy it, it’s not as simple as that.

Justice, an end to racism, care for the downtrodden, the homeless, etc., access to medical care, are all progressive values.

Sometimes we find “progressives” who aren’t believers, doing a better job of living the Gospel values than some who call themselves Christians. The Natural Law is the law of God written on the hearts of all men and women of good will, even those who do not recognize it. I know an awful lot of agnostics who volunteer in soup kitchens, seniors’ residences, etc., and who fight for the Gospel values of charity, fairness and justice.

Being Christians does not give us a monopoly on good will and good works. Many Christians have used religion to maintain the status quo for their own benefit, rather than take radical measures that push us out of our comfort zones and promote justice. Think of the racial segregation in the south, and in South Africa, for instance, the latter a pillar of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. “God”, was being hijacked to support repression.

Christ Himself was a radical progressive who upset the social order of His time.
 
OraLabora said:
Justice, an end to racism, care for the downtrodden, the homeless, etc., access to medical care, are all progressive values.
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they are values non-progressives also cherish, the devil is in the how.

what is a progressive today? how can you justify the antichristian issues?

too many are calling themselves progressives and hanging on to the progressive ideas of the past when the movement has moved beyond them.

progressives no longer care about society but about individual feelings.
 
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