Liberalism or Progressivism is a quasi-religion and has a distinct set of moral values and vices, different than most other religions.
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Envy or covetousness is an important moral value for liberal-progressives. It's what they have instead of justice. Pretty much every other religion views envy as a vice.
For liberal-progressives, the rich are objects of hatred. Their wealth is viewed as a moral evil causing suffering on the part of everyone else. Rich people can, though, obtain absolution by advocating liberal pro-government policies and higher taxes. They don't need to actually pay higher taxes themselves or ever intend to (see Kerry and Buffet). Cheating on their taxes is perfectly acceptable (see Rangel, Geithner). Just like Christian salvation by faith, the liberal-progressive rich obtains complete and total absolution from the sin of wealth by the proper faith. No works involved.
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Denial of the concept of sin as found in other religious traditions is another liberal-progressive moral value. It's not a matter of tolerance of sin or forgiveness for sinners, it's necessary to deny that the traditional sins are even wrong at all.
In fact, the very concept of sin in found in all other religions is considered a moral evil. To liberal-progressives, sin shouldn't be shunned. Sinful acts are just legitimate lifestyle choices and disapproval of sin is itself a moral evil. The greatest sin is believing in and disapproving sin.
[ Consider the judge in the recent same sex marriage case. He declared that moral disapproval is no basis for laws. But it's perfectly clear that he wants the law to be based on his own moral disapproval of those who disagree with him on same sex marraige. ]
They have other moral beliefs that are unrelated to other religious traditions though:
Government is good, private business is bad. After all, private business is driven by the profit motive, the impure desire to become wealthier. Even if a private businessman isn't wealthy, he's still morally polluted because he's trying to get wealthier. On the other hand, government bureaucrats and liberal politicians are viewed as morally virtuous.
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American exceptionalism is different for liberal-progressives. Most Americans believe this:
(From John Winthrop: "For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us." to Ronald Reagan: "I've spoken of the Shining City all my political life. …In my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity.")
Liberal-progressives have their own idea of American exceptionalism. They believe America is exceptionally bad. Conceived in sin - irredeemably racist, capitalist and war-mongering from its beginning until the day liberal-progressives can transform it into a thoroughly secularized socialist country.
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Some ways that liberal-progressivism IS like some other religions:
Some religions have purity laws involving what one eats or wears or comes into contact with. Liberal-progressives have their version of these things. Organic food, vegetarianism, the belief in the uncleanness of genetically engineering and nuclear power and fossil fuels are examples. |
