In truth, the rhetoric of Christianity and modern American liberalism (i.e. progressiveism)is similar as the OP suggested.
But the dynamics in how the two philoosophies play out is telling.
Christianity has never advocated slavery. Slaves were an estimated 25 to 30% of the population in the Roman Empire until Constantine made Christianity the favored religion. (Fourth Century.) And as Christianity gradually overtook the pagan cultures, perhaps some other unintended uglies were introduced, but by the middle ages slavery was phased out in most places. Yes, some people in colonial times who embraced Christianity owned slaves. but it was not endorsed by the larger Church. And in the end, it was the narrow minded conservative Christians who applied the primary pressure to end it in Mexico, Canada, and the USA.
So now we have progressiveism in America and some of those progressives are Christian fully embracing the progressive mentality which uses government to create a different kind of slave--one totally dependent on government and thereby subject to having all their liberties, choices, options, and opportunities infringed. There is no difference between an Atheist progressive and Christian progressive in that regard.
Christianity, however, in its uncorrupted and purest form, has never endorsed nor advocated government assuming the role of charity and benevolence. Such was the responsibility of the individual. Christianity in its purest form is not 'progressive' but rather advocates freedom, liberty, and unlimited possibilities.
But the dynamics in how the two philoosophies play out is telling.
Christianity has never advocated slavery. Slaves were an estimated 25 to 30% of the population in the Roman Empire until Constantine made Christianity the favored religion. (Fourth Century.) And as Christianity gradually overtook the pagan cultures, perhaps some other unintended uglies were introduced, but by the middle ages slavery was phased out in most places. Yes, some people in colonial times who embraced Christianity owned slaves. but it was not endorsed by the larger Church. And in the end, it was the narrow minded conservative Christians who applied the primary pressure to end it in Mexico, Canada, and the USA.
So now we have progressiveism in America and some of those progressives are Christian fully embracing the progressive mentality which uses government to create a different kind of slave--one totally dependent on government and thereby subject to having all their liberties, choices, options, and opportunities infringed. There is no difference between an Atheist progressive and Christian progressive in that regard.
Christianity, however, in its uncorrupted and purest form, has never endorsed nor advocated government assuming the role of charity and benevolence. Such was the responsibility of the individual. Christianity in its purest form is not 'progressive' but rather advocates freedom, liberty, and unlimited possibilities.