| defines tolerance as the following: | | | | can choose to be sinners, or not. We can choose to |
| 1. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward | | | | walk the path Christ has created for us, or not. |
| those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, | | | | Just as I don't want to see my faith banned, or |
| nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from | | | | outlawed, I would see no one else's right to practice |
| bigotry. | | | | his or her faith outlawed. I may not agree with it, but |
| 2. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward | | | | as long as it does no harm to others, I see no point |
| opinions and practices that differ from one's own. | | | | in telling others what to think, believe, or how to act. |
| 3. interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, | | | | America is at a crossroads; we can choose to |
| practices, etc., foreign to one's own; a liberal, | | | | respect the rights of others without agreeing with |
| undogmatic viewpoint. | | | | them. This also means that sometimes we will have |
| Although there are other definitions for tolerance, | | | | to stand up for what is right when the acts of |
| they don't relate to what I'm about to say. | | | | others are harmful. |
| I live in the United States of the Offended. It seems | | | | The late Reggie White, Greenbay Packer, and one of |
| like every time you turn around somebody is whining | | | | the greatest pro football players of the NFL, was |
| about being offended or having his/her rights violated. | | | | called the "Minister of Defense". He earned this title |
| Often these are rights they really don't possess. | | | | not only because he was the greatest defensive |
| I believe that everyone has the right to believe | | | | player who played the game, but he was also an |
| whatever they want. However, no right is absolute. | | | | ordained minister. He said that Christians should be |
| It doesn't mean you have the right to say whatever | | | | "meek, not weak". |
| you want, or to act on those beliefs. | | | | Meek doesn't mean being a doormat. It means being |
| An example in America is racism. Racism simply | | | | patient. It's time to stop being doormats. It's time to |
| means that you think your race is superior to | | | | stop getting our feelings hurt every time someone |
| everyone else's. I'm sure there are people who | | | | calls us a name, or disrespects our faith. |
| believe that. So what? | | | | Jesus called us to love. Judgement belongs to Him. It |
| Far more dangerous is prejudice and discrimination. | | | | doesn't mean we shouldn't be discerning about our |
| Holding prejudiced beliefs and then acting on them | | | | relationships and who we choose to associate with. |
| leads to discrimination against others for a lot of | | | | Hang out in a bar long enough, and you'll be drinking. |
| different reasons. | | | | However, in your daily contact with non believers, |
| I don't believe Christians are any more intolerant than | | | | you need to love them. You don't have to agree |
| anyone else. I don't believe our faith is a religion of | | | | with them, and it isn't your place to judge them. |
| intolerance. | | | | Let Jesus heal your life. Lead by example. How you |
| Anyone who wants to become a Christian can | | | | live will be a far more shining example of what Jesus |
| certainly do so. The real problem is when Christians | | | | can do than your words. |
| begin to embrace sin. When we say that it's OK to | | | | The Bible says that what's impossible with man is |
| engage in any kind of behavior as long as it makes | | | | possible with God. God can do anything as long as |
| you happy. | | | | you get your free will out of the way and allow Him |
| This is where we need to draw the line. The bottom | | | | to bless you. Only by allowing God to bless you, can |
| line is that Christians will always be accused of being | | | | you be a blessing to others. |
| bigots. However, as long as we respect the rights of | | | | There are so many broken, hurting, people in the |
| others, even when we disagree, we're not bigots at | | | | world today, and you have the power, and the great |
| all. We are simply trying to follow Christ, and He | | | | Physician to help you do it. |
| never had a problem with confronting another person | | | | Show others your respect. Demonstrate the true |
| about his/her sin. | | | | meaning of tolerance. Show them your love, and you |
| One fundamental right we all need to recognize is the | | | | will change the world in a way that is only possible |
| right to free choice. It is a right that God has given | | | | with God. |
| to all of us. We can choose to love Him or not. We | | | | |