Tolerance
In Christendom, the word “tolerate” conjures up negative thoughts. We are told, as a nation, as a people, to be tolerant of other people, to be tolerant of their religions, their lifestyles, and their freedom to choose as they wish. Tolerant is defined as:
To allow without prohibiting or opposing; permit; to recognize and respect (the rights, beliefs, or practices of others); to put up with; endure.
Those that claim that Christians are intolerant are in fact, calling the kettle black for they are intolerant of Christians and Christian teachings and values. Yesterday I was reading a blog written by an avowed atheist. He is free to not believe in God but his blog was not about atheism and why he is an atheist. Every single blog post that I read, and I read his blog extensively, was an attack against the bible and Christians and why we are wrong to believe in God. He is extremely rabid towards Christians and Christian teachings.
Anyone who chooses to not believe in God is free to so. Anyone is free to believe in whatever they want to believe. The problem is not that we are all free to believe in what we choose. The problem is that those that are not Christians demand that Christians be tolerant of views that come against Christianity while at the same time, taking an intolerant view of Christian values and teachings. For the most part, Christians are not asking the world to be tolerant of their beliefs.
In the recent California same sex marriage proposition, both sides expressed their views prior to the election in an attempt to sway people to vote according to their views. As we know, the same sex marriage initiative failed. We are labeled intolerant because we do not accept their views as a valid alternative lifestyle. Not only are we to accept their views, but even Christian children are to embrace their views. They wish to teach Christian children that their views are valid. In schools, children are taught that alternative lifestyles that are proper, appropriate and even right. This is in opposition to the values that Christians wish to teach their children. Consequently, ‘tolerance’ really means Christians are to accept or abide by the values of non Christians.
Tolerate according to today’s dictionary is to allow without prohibition or opposition. Those that claim Christians are intolerant are as intolerant of those they accuse of being intolerant.
As a Christian, I recognize and even accept that the moral standards that I hold to are not the way of the world. I recognize that there are “rights, beliefs or practices of others” that I must put up with and endure. However, as is my right, I do not respect those rights even though I must accept them as part of the world in which I live. When I can, I will speak out whether it is by my vote at the voting booth, whether via my blog or any other means that I choose. I exercise that right much as those that oppose Christian views exercise their right to not tolerate Christian views or values.
Let us be honest, neither side is tolerant of the other for neither side accepts the views or values of the other. After all that is what ‘tolerate’ entails; the acceptance, respect and non opposition of the rights, beliefs, or practices of others. Until the non-Christians can be tolerant of Christian values or views, that is to accept, not oppose and respect Christian values, it is the epitome of hypocrisy to ask Christians to be tolerant of non Christian values while not affording Christians the same ‘tolerance’ that they seem to crave from us.
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Well said and I totally see that all around me. It just amazes me that so many people do not tolerate my lifestyle but expect me to accept and join them in their lifestyle.
I totally agree with you in that it really is amazing that we’re labeled either as not being tolerant or that we’re judgmental which is EXACTLY what those that make those claims are doing towards Christians. It’s actually very annoying because those that use that label towards me are those that are intolerant and judgmental towards my lifestyle or beliefs.
Hey Blog Lady T.,
In classic re-definition of terms (equivocation) the culture has attempted to make ‘tolerance’ to mean ‘buy in’ and ‘validation’. They expect their lifestyle choices to be validated as normal, and if you don’t agree then you are not tolerant.
I’ve always found the word misused in unintentionally funny ways. For example, we should be ‘tolerant of people of different colors’. Really? I should say to one of my church brothers or sisters, “I’m putting up with your blackness”?
Anyhow, I hit ‘random post’ again and this is what I got. The quote above “Tolerance if sor people, not ideas” is from Pastor Colin Smith (from the radio). I think it’s very meaningful and a good reminder of where to keep our focus.
Tolerance is for people, not ideas.