Liberal

The term "liberal" comes from the aftermath of the French Revolution, where it meant someone who advocated more powerful elected assemblies.

"Liberal" today means the rejection of individual responsibility and traditional religious and economic principles in favor of a collectivism, particularly in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Examples of liberal beliefs include:

• gun control
• taxpayer funding of abortion
• prohibiting prayer in school
• distributing wealth from the rich to the poor
• social programs to rehabilitate criminals
• same-sex marriage
• amnesty for illegal aliens

The American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":

Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...