Question…
Since there is so much talk about tolerance these days, how much are we to tolerate? Where is the line where we are no longer suppose to tolerate? If we all are just going around tolerating each other can their ever be true unity and peace? Or is that just a false peace? I have a family of varying political and moral views. I think of the 7 children in my parents family we probably span the entire political spectrum. However, we do love each other and try to see eye to eye as much as we can. But their are times when our differences blow up into sharp confrontations that are fueled by the very different ways we see the world.
I think it’s safe to say that if you fundamentally see the world, and the purpose of life in a completely different way than another person, you will never completely be united with that person until one of you changes the way they see the world and their purpose in it.
It’s not enough just to say.. “we are all Americans” or “we are all brothers and sisters”. That will kind of unity will only take you so far. Eventually something has to give or else the directions your views take you will just keep taking you farther a part, or they will collide. It’s a law of motion that an object in motion stays in motion (or rest) unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force.
It seems that by the time we collide or someones actions or ideas collide with ours each side thinks they are right and has a hard time understanding the other. And unless the fundamental assumptions about life change, there will be no reconciling the two.
For example:
I approach life from the stand point that their is a God, He has given specific commandments and He will hold everyone accountable for breaking those commandments. But if you are willing to repent He has provided a way for you to be completely forgiven and also a way for to change from the inside out and become like Him.
Others I know and love approach life from the stand point that there is no God, there is no right and wrong and therefore no sin.
Still others approach life from the stand point that there is a God, but He “loves” everyone so much that it really doesn’t matter if they keep His commandments only that we be nice to other people. In other words a kind of selective view of the scriptures where the accountability is taken out and nothing but your ability to tolerate others matters.
All three are very different ideas, and eventually each of these ideas will collide with each other. I think there is no way to fully reconcile the three so that each belief system can live fully in unity and harmony with the others.
You might find more harmony between the second two views but even they will collide with each other as the second one does not care about kindness and the third one still wants to worship something other than itself.
What value is there in tolerance? I think there is value in that it keeps many wars and terrible things from playing out in a violent manner. However, there a mini-wars raging all about us every day. Underlying disturbances and disagreements that fuel larger fires that do lead to violence, hurt and pain because people simply “tolerated” the others views or actions too long. Many say it’s important to just talk about these differences. Others think that if we just keep our opinions to ourselves we won’t fuel the fire.
None of us has the perfect picture because none of us are perfect. However some are closer to the ideal and standard that God has set than others. When a standard is set, you can do one of four things:
1. Accept it and live by it
2. Accept it and try to live by it but fall short
3. Accept parts of it and reject other parts
4. Reject it
I think I fall under the second category and am therefore thankful for redemption through my Savior Jesus Christ. I hope someday to come into full unity with God and with those I love. I hope to tolerate people as much as I can but when our fundamental views collide, I hope to stand up for the Lords standard and to be found living by it.
True love tolerates people but cannot and does not tolerate sin. This is the love of God. I cannot tolerate my children not learning to be potty trained…because I love them and want them to be happy successful adults someday.
What say you about tolerance?