Before Pope Francis was elected, conservative Catholics had fallen into a habit of dismissing the more liberal form of Catholicism as an old-fashioned and misguided interpretation of their faith. However, with the appointment of Pope Francis, a more progressive and inclusive approach to Catholicism has gained momentum, challenging the traditional conservative views within the Church.
Since 2014, polling has shown that women between the ages of 18 and 29 have steadily become more liberal each year, while young men have leaned towards conservative ideologies. This trend highlights a growing divide between the worldviews of young adults based on their gender.
But I wanted to test this liberal Christian versus conservative Christian in a much more narrow way — by looking at which group is more open to diversity, empathy, and progressive social change. This study revealed that liberal Christians tend to embrace these values more readily than their conservative counterparts.
Conservatives tend to believe that strict divisions are an inherent part of life, while liberals are more likely to advocate for inclusivity and acceptance of differing perspectives. This fundamental difference in mindset often leads to heated debates and conflicts between individuals with opposing political beliefs.
It's hard to tell who's more screwed by the new politics of fear. Both liberals and conservatives are susceptible to fear-mongering tactics used by politicians and media outlets to manipulate public opinion and advance their agendas. This climate of fear only serves to deepen the divide between the two ideological camps.
I've spent several blog posts summarizing the argument Yoram Hazony makes in his book Conservatism: A Rediscovery, which delves into the core principles of conservative ideology and contrasts them with liberal values. This exploration highlights the stark differences in how each group views societal issues and the role of government in addressing them.
According to conventional wisdom, how conservative or liberal someone is would largely be determined by their age. While this used to be the case, recent trends suggest that young adults are increasingly embracing liberal ideologies, challenging the notion that conservatism is synonymous with older generations.
Conservative parents are more likely to raise mentally healthy teens compared to liberal parents, according to the Institute for Family Studies. This finding contradicts the stereotype that conservative parenting styles are overly strict and stifling, suggesting that there may be benefits to instilling traditional values in children.
Young men and young women's worldviews are pulling apart, with each gender gravitating towards different political ideologies. The consequences of this growing divide could be far-reaching, impacting societal norms, political discourse, and the future of governance.
