Meaning of 'Liberal '

The word 'liberal' has meanings according to the subject or the context one uses it. It is a word used in political discourse as much as it is used in theological discourse. It is also used in economics. And each one has a very different meaning attached to the word. 

In Political discourse, 'liberal' is to refer to the kind of political philosophy that gives much importance to individual's autonomy; individual's liberty or freedom. So whether one wants to eat beef or not is for the person to decide; the state/legal system has no business 'enforcing' what people should not eat or eat. Now if the state has no business enforcing what people should not eat or eat, then what all can it do? Well, many liberal thinkers would say that when it comes to issues regarding sovereignty, protection of private property etc., it's the state's business; and between citizens one of the things state needs to see is that no harm is done upon one party by another party. specially the stronger ones harming the weaker ones. Not all liberal thinkers have the same opinion with regard to the extent of liberty that must be allowed to an individual. For example, liberal thinkers may differ on whether affirmative action programme  should be adopted by a government or not. However, all liberal thinkers would insist on emphasizing on the importance of autonomy of the individual. 

In Theology, the word 'liberal' refers to the view that has deviated from the traditionally accepted view. This does not mean traditional view is static all the time; traditional view has so much of room to explore new ideas and incorporate them into the traditionally held view. For example, in Christianity traditional view is that Jesus is both human and divine. Without denying the divinity of Jesus, there is so much to explore on what it means to say that Jesus is human and then incorporate this new thought into the traditionally held view. However, if this new finding leads on to deny the traditionally held view i.e. Jesus is both human and divine, and begins saying that Jesus is not divine, that is to get onto liberal view. Liberal view is opposed to orthodoxy; and orthodoxy means correct belief. Of course, who determines what is correct belief and what is liberal view, the deviated view? This is rather complex  but there are certain belief that is pronounced in explicit terms what the official position of the church is. 

In Economics, 'liberal' is used in a way that is closer to political discourse. It is the view that advances that government's intervention in market should be minimal. It is to say that economic affairs should be left to the current of demand and supply. So government providing, say, railway services should be withdrawn and let the private company/ownership provide the service. Like government allowing private players to compete in providing telecommunication services to the people -- Airtel, Vofafone, Tata, Reliance etc. -- government should also allow private players to compete in different areas. Of course, to what extent government should be allowed to provide services and to what extent private players are allowed to take over may be different according to individuals. But the emphasis is that private players should be allowed to play a great role is what liberal economist would insist.