I don't know if I'd call it "liberalism," Pete. It's just that my theological training has taught me to look behind the words for the reality those words represent - and to relate that to the reality that I perceive with my own experience. It's a good discipline to follow - to understand that words are meant to represent a greater reality, and that it's important not to confuse the words with the actual thing they represent. Oftentimes, a rigid perspective cannot adequately comprehend a wider reality, and a variety of perspectives are needed. Even a non-theistic perspective is important to a full understanding of the concept of atonement. And yes, your literal perspective is also part of the whole picture.

-Joe-