Universalism affirms that all will be saved and rejects the idea of Hell. Liberals fit on a continuum between unitarians and the more radical infidels. The three ideas of unitarianism, universalism, and infidelism constitute major tendencies in the liberal tradition. Usually one of the three stances is chosen, but not all three. A central focus is the defense of each person s right to freedom of thought and the rejection of at least some of the beliefs of existing churches.
Liberalism stresses the power of human reason to perfect the world and using science to find truth.
In the 1700s, the Enlightenment led liberals to a shift in focus from God to feelings and the mind. At times there was a mystical desire to unite with the source of all life. Some sought to use reason to establish those elements of religion that were true and universal. It was felt that if great religious values could not in fact be found, religion itself could be discarded. The search for values in this world and this life became part of the lifestyle of the liberal tradition.