The asymmetry thing is a big deal, and there are many examples. There's one I hesitate to mention, but I've become convinced is true: progressives are different from conservatives in that they are *liars.* In the specific cases of seminary theological statements, or organizational mission statements, or academic codes of conduct, progressives simply don't mind signing their names to things they absolutely don't believe. This allows them to burrow into organizations committed to hateful conservative ideals.

I almost wonder if progressives justify such behavior due to a belief in the leftward ratchet theory. "This mission statement I'm signing is conservative for now," they must tell themselves, "but it will drift leftward in the next 10-20 years because that's what always happens. History is on my side. What I'm signing is secretly the version that will be, not the version that is."

Of course, that leftward drift *does* happen in a lot of cases. Regarding church bodies and seminaries and universities in general, there was a moment in the 1960s where it looked like the leftward ratchet was an iron law of nature. Now, thanks to the counter-examples you've highlighted (and Calvin University looks like it's going to be another), progressives are going to experience their own crisis of faith in the leftward ratchet.