What exactly does tolerance mean in American society?

Question

How do you define tolerance? Logically, all religious beliefs cannot be true because some religions are mutually exclusive. Therefore, some religious (and non-religious) beliefs must be wrong. In our society, are we supposed to be tolerant of all beliefs, even those we don't agree with? I am thankful that I have religious freedom, and don't want to give up my freedom, and wouldn't impose my beliefs on others. I respect those with different beliefs. Yes, I am a Christian, thumbs up or thumbs down. I don't mind when non-Christian religious objects are displayed on public property, so why does it matter that a Nativity scene be displayed on public property? Consider it an art form. Non-Christians, Spiritualists, Athiests, Agnostics, as well as Christians (hope I didn't forget anyone) can celebrate Christmas. Children can open presents under a Christmas tree and experience joy. What is the big deal? Help me with this delima.

Billie, good repsonse. I care about where my tax payer dollars are going. Yes, I'm only human and I get irrated just like anyone else does when they aren't going where I wish they would. But, again, as I said, consider that Nativity scene an art form. I remember my tax payer dollars hard at work when there was a government grant depicting Christ submerged in urine, or when the Brooklyn Museum of Art commerated Black History Month and they depicted Christ as a nude black woman. I could go on and on. I didn't complain. There may have been others that compalined. But I (ME) I didn't. Yes, it bothered me. But, I (ME) I didn't complain. I asked my question in genuine sincerity. Not as one of the many perhaps, but one of the few maybe. Give me a break.

Answer 1

You are a breath of fresh air!
Why would any Christian mind a Manorah displayed in an airport along with their Christmas trees? I wouldn't.
If you are Jewish, by all means, put up your Chanuckah (sp) decorations, I don't mind paying to see them at all.
If you are wiccan, please, feel free to put a yule log, or whatever your symbol is in the Court House lawn, why would I be offended? Aren't our taxes supposed to benefit EVERYONE??
If someone wishes me a "Happy (insert your holiday)", I am willing to accept it as a wish for me to enjoy the season...why should anyone be upset if I say "Merry Christmas"??
I think the guy who wanted to slaughter goats is a bit over the top...but really, I agree with you...what's the big deal??

Oh, and to the guy with the Muslim scenario...if I lived in a country that was predominantly Muslim I would expect to see many symbols of the Muslim faith. After all, it is the predominant faith, right? This country, last I checked, is still predominantly Christian...that may or may not be changing, but for now, that's the way it is.

Answer 2

I would have thought the same thing as a Christian.

I think the issue is very complicated. The easiest way to illustrate that to you is to imagine instead of Christianity, the vast majority of this country were...Muslim? Wiccan? Let's say Muslim. YOU are still a Christian tho, k?

When the Muslim Majority puts a huge display up in the airport, at the post office, etc during Ramadan, here are some issues you might have:

1. Me and all my Christian friends had to PAY for that display. Our tax dollars are supporting it.

2. It's on goverment property so it kind of says "hey everybody else, this is a Muslim country." So when your kids go to mail a letter and feel like they don't quite "belong" - that's just too bad for them.

As an athiest, I love Christmas. I say Happy Christmas to people, give cards, have a tree, all of that. I think it's great if people want to put nativity scenes in their yards, on the church lawns, etc. But when I have to pay for it, I get a little irritated. Not hugely! I'm not going to protest or wig out. Just...feel like "if the shoe were on the other foot, how would they feel." I hope that explains it for you?

Answer 3

Dutch MP Geert Wilders came from Holland for the rally. His speech was historic and ignored by the MSM. Excerpts: "The tolerance that is crucial to our freedom requires a line of defense. Mayor Bloomberg uses tolerance as an argument to allow Imam Rauf and his sponsors to build their so-called Cordoba Mosque. Mayor Bloomberg forgets, however, that openness cannot be open-ended. A tolerant society is not a suicidal society. It must defend itself against the powers of darkness, the force of hatred and the blight of ignorance. It cannot tolerate the intolerant -- and survive. "Most Americans do not want this so-called Cordoba Mosque to be built here. They understand that it is both a provocation and a humiliation. They understand the triumphant narrative of a mosque named after the Great Mosque of Cordoba which was constructed where a Christian cathedral stood before the land was conquered by Islam. "Nine years ago, when the news of the terrible atrocity in New York reached Europe, Muslim youths danced in the streets. In a poll, two thirds of the Muslim immigrants in the Netherlands expressed partial or full understanding for the 9/11 terrorists. If a mosque were built here on Ground Zero such people would feel triumphant. But we, we will not betray those who died on 9/11. For their sakes we cannot tolerate a mosque on or near Ground Zero. For their sakes loud and clear we say: No mosque here! For their sakes, we must draw the line. So that New York, rooted in Dutch tolerance, will never become New Mecca."

Answer 4

Not to be a party pooper here but Christanity is a mutually exclusive religion which it even states in the bible. To be religiously free you have to be agnostic and accept all religions or lack thereof.
As for Christian objects well there are only a few but mostly they were stolen from Nordic and Pagan religion, even down to the baubbles on your xmas tree. Christmas in-itself is not Christian but a Pagan celebration called Yule.
Big deal about xmas is that the true meaning has been lost; its not about some dude that was born 2000ish years ago, its not for giving, i.e. presents but really its about forgiving, massive difference however the presents are a nice touch.

Answer 5

Ok, if you are not a hypocrite, then you will not object to satanists putting up a version of the nativity where jesus and 6 goats are sacrificed in a gory way.
I don't mind the nativity, but I can see how people have problems with it. To keep things equal, and democratic, you must represent all religions, else you are saying that some are not worth representing, and that is basically a leap to theocracy. I could go on, but I gave the basics. Try to look at this from others prospectives.

Answer 6

Tolerance as understood by most people is not picking on people smaller or weaker than you. It is societally acceptable to defend the little guy and to want to displace anything old or common. Some religions are praised, for being the little guy.

The word tolerance means you put up with it even though you DON'T think it is right. Society does not tolerate, which is why there are people trying to remove nativity scenes.

Answer 7

I don't think that most people want to be tolerant they just want to be tolerated. It says a lot about the natural human condition. God is really the only one that really allows free choice. You do seem pretty tolerant to me but remember the Holy Spirit dwells in you and is the source of all real love and good attributes like tolerance.
God Bless You.

Answer 8

Tolerance means just what you and I do here, express our "opinions" In some societies what we say can do great harm to you or your family, but as Americans we have the freedom of free speech, yet.

Answer 9

Yeah but if you try to tell someone they're wrong - you're intolerant. And don't forget, there are a lot of people in the world who just don;t give a crap about a nativity scene.

Answer 10

It seems to me that tolerance is only for those who look the same, have the same economic status, and believe in the same things.
It should mean tolerating differences, but sadly, it doesn't. Witness all the unprovoked attacks on Muslims in this forum.