Tolerance?

[Blessed87]

Recently I've been researching a bit on tolerance, and one Christian source is saying that the definition of tolerance is changing in today's society.
So tell me, what is tolerance to you, and what is its significance?

[Faithfulservant]

Tolerance to me is respecting other peoples choices.. Its not my job as a Christian to save everyone..Jesus did that already.. my command was to share the gospel with love... so that everyone can learn that Jesus saved them. You cant do that if you come at people telling them they are wrong and are damned. That your way is the only way.. The big thing for me is trusting in the Lord...His is the voice that ultimately gets heard... keeping Him on the throne... and loving everyone like Jesus told me to.

Now.. that was religious tolerance.. There are other things that I do not tolerate very well.. especially political issues.

[path_of_one]

Yep, I'm pretty much with Faithful Servant.

As for tolerance outside of religion, I pretty much follow the same rule of thought unless someone's actions are harming someone else. Then I think taking a stand is appropriate. Cultural diversity is great, but I'm also for human rights (and wise stewardship of the earth's resources), and I tend to be pretty outspoken on those issues. Being a social scientist, though, I tend to approach these social and environmental problems with the intention of understanding why people do what they do first, and then changing the system and their options to effect change. I've noticed yelling at folks really doesn't get much done; understanding them and then working within the limits of their society, culture, and worldview is more likely to get positive results.

[brucegdc]

To me, I think tolerance is basically "I may be wrong" - which applies across the board. In religion, my experience/revelation/sense of deity/whatever is what works for me. I do not know if it is right - nor if it will work for someone else, or even the me of 10 minutes from now. Thus I need to accept that someone else's viewpoint may be more correct than mine - and probably is for them. That prevents me from stuffing my ideas/beliefs down someone else's throat.

On the other hand, "I may be right" stops me accepting someone else stuffing their ideas/beliefs down my throat.

When it comes to the actions of others, it comes down to non-interference between consenting adults or non-harmful activities , in my book - with the corollary of they'd better not be interfering with me either - sort of in balance. Note that this does *not* allow harm to others - my tolerance does not extend to someone hurting someone else without their consent... e.g. muggers. Nor to non-adults - which becomes a bit of a grey area - if I see a parent about to swat their kid, I have to stop and think about interference. No question if they're about to hit them with a board or something - I would definitely interfere, but a simple swat falls under my tolerance policy [although I could concoct a situation which would be an exception - e.g. a visibly battered kid...].

It's that balance between "Your views/actions may be correct" and "Mine may be correct", IMO - that's tolerance...

Just noticed the clock... posting at 1AM may make the preceeding incomprehensible... if so, don't bother reading it :-)

[Blessed87]

Thank you for your views everyone. I'm planning on having a presentation in one of my classes on the topic of tolerance, so this has been helpful.

Tell me this: Does anyone believe religious tolerance is saying that someone else's beliefs are just as valid as your own? (similar to Brucegdc's answer)

[brucegdc]

Originally Posted by Blessed87

Tell me this: Does anyone believe religious tolerance is saying that someone else's beliefs are just as valid as your own? (similar to Brucegdc's answer)

I don't know about "just as valid", as that implies a universal applicability - but lacking proof of which is right, I have to accept & respect that for *them* their beliefs hold the same level of validity as mine do to me.

.. Bruce

[InLove]

Hi, Peace All--

Everything everyone has said here. I just would like to add one thing. I don't know if this directly applies to the question, but I think it is also very wise and part of tolerance to remember that just because one may have had a bad experience with a person or a group of people claiming to subscribe to any given religion, these people may not be representative of all who claim the same. Does that make sense? (Wow, that was a really long sentence )

InPeace,
InLove

[earl]

Originally Posted by Blessed87

Recently I've been researching a bit on tolerance, and one Christian source is saying that the definition of tolerance is changing in today's society.
So tell me, what is tolerance to you, and what is its significance?

Hi Blessed87. If you're looking for a good essay that relates to this from a progressive Christian source, could check out this link to Christopher Bamford's. essay re traditions of sacred hospitality:
http://www.monasticdialog.com/bulletins/73/bamford1.htm

Bamford is a wonderful mystically or esoterically inclined contemporary writer & this site is a great one sponsored by monastic Christians related to intermonastic dialogue.

Bruce-love your idea though! Love + humility make for great recipe to promote tolerance. thanks, Earl

[Vajradhara]

as Austin Power "faddah" says:


there are two things that i can't stand; people that are intolerant of other peoples cultures, and the Dutch!

[Blessed87]

That's a great story, earl. That's what I want, much thinking of others, and very little of myself. The question this poses is, How? I believe through reading and practicing the Bible. It's a struggle, and even though I have not been on what I call "the path of growth" very long, I have seen that it is wonderful indeed to put aside self and serve others. I don't know that I'd call it tolerance, but that's okay, it's a vital key to having true life.

[foreversearching]

I beleive that religious tolerance is accepting that otehr people have beliefs that are different from my own and respecting them even if I don't beleive them myself.

As for if they are as valid as my own, yes I believe that one presons beliefs are as valid to them as mine are to me. I don't beleive anybody's beliefs are wrong, they are just different from my own. I think nobody can say who is right or wrong because we just don't know, and if we did there wouldn't be any need for religious tolerance becuase we'd all be following the same thing and it would get very boring.

Lisa x

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by foreversearching

I beleive that religious tolerance is accepting that otehr people have beliefs that are different from my own and respecting them even if I don't beleive them myself.

As for if they are as valid as my own, yes I believe that one presons beliefs are as valid to them as mine are to me. I don't beleive anybody's beliefs are wrong, they are just different from my own. I think nobody can say who is right or wrong because we just don't know, and if we did there wouldn't be any need for religious tolerance becuase we'd all be following the same thing and it would get very boring.

Lisa x

yes i see it that way also

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by Blessed87

Recently I've been researching a bit on tolerance, and one Christian source is saying that the definition of tolerance is changing in today's society.
So tell me, what is tolerance to you, and what is its significance?

Blessed87,
there is a real good post by Juantoo3 somewhere around here on tolerance & acceptance. Maybe someone else will remember where it is? & I think you would find it very useful.

I do not think we are looking at a universal type of religion in respect, but i see a trend of the powers in politics & religion, looking to that for the future. Though I see deception in that.

[Blessed87]

Yes, Bandit, I did happen to see that thread today. I mostly agreed, but more than that the thread by Juantoo3 was inspiring to me, which is what matters more for now. Thanks for mentioning it, though!

[I, Brian]

What is Tolerance? Perhaps learning to listen, rather than speak...