What is tollerance?

Question

Many times, especially on R & S, I see people who write "I am tolerant", "my religion is tolerant", "my way of thinking is tolerant" and I wonder what they truly mean with this word.
For all the tolerant people and for the less tolerant ones, wouldn’t it be better to say “I am ignorant”, “I don’t know”, “we can share knowledge and see what we can learn from one another”, instead of using tolerance as a flag with no meaning?
Your opinion is appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

I always prefer to use the word respect rather than tolerate for the reasons you say in your question.

Answer 2

Tolerance means having an open mind and even if you don't accept someone's point of view - you at least have the decency to hear them out.
In the other part of your question you wonder "what they truly mean with this word." Then you express your opinion on that. From what I get out of how you view it, you're keeping an open mind, that tells me that you are tolerant and have a very valid definition in your own mind of how to view others and their tolerance or lack thereof.

Answer 3

Tolerance means to allow others' beliefs or customs without condemnation. For example: I may not agree with the beliefs of a Hindu, however, I don't condemn them but rather I tolerate them. OR - I may not agree with the behavior of a homosexual, but I don't condemn them, I tolerate their different lifestyle. Tolerance has meaning. If more people would practice tolerance, the entire world would be a better place. Intolerance is what causes hurt, strife, and eventually if carried far enough - war.

Answer 4

tolerance is accepting all things as good and right and ok as long as it doesnt hurt someone else (i know that is a huge generalization)

I'm not very tolerant in some ways, very tolerant in others.... i don't have a 'religion' where men set down a list of rules.. i have a relationship with Jesus Christ and I have to follow what I believe is truth.... while it may conflict with what 'you' or anyone may believe, i will not compromise my faith to 'accept' certain things as 'ok'... but if you choose them, then that is your decision and you will deal with whatever you choose...

I think we can 'tolerate' questions, even answers of people with differing beliefs if we are truly seeking truth. but those who are just seeking to disturb or hurt people, are not being tolerant at all

Answer 5

How would anyone confuse tolerance with ignorance?

Those who are tolerant recognize and (key word) respect the beliefs of others. It doesn't meant that we are ignorant of them or trying to learn. We are aware that not everyone believes in the same way and we don't expect anyone to change their beliefs or actions just because we think differently.

I do not see tolerance as 'a flag with no meaning'.

Answer 6

Tolerance is when you may not agree with a persons beliefs but you accept them in spite of them. I have had friends who were Muslim, Hindu, and Christian of a different belief than me but I loved each one as the individual he or she was, completely aside from religious beliefs. If you are tolerant, you will explain your religious beliefs, but not try to force anyone into believing as you do. If you are convincing enough, the person you are trying to convert will come to your belief, if not, they will stay with what they have been taught.

Answer 7

these are definitions of tolerant copied from the dictionary. I hope you do not find there offensive

1. [a] showing respect for the rights or opinions or practices of others. ...

2. [a] showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions". ..

3. [a] showing or characterized by broad-mindedness; "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions". ..

4. [a] tolerant and forgiving under provocation; "our neighbor was very kind about the window our son broke". ..

5. [a] showing the capacity for endurance; "injustice can make us tolerant and forgiving"; "a man patient of distractions

Answer 8

Okay,I'm going to try to answer your question as honestly and respectfully as I can.

Tolerance is all well and good, but there are some things that are not worthy of tolerance. If a person said to me "I think slavery should be reinstated" I would NOT be tolerant of such an idea. My response would undoubtedly be quite colorful (racist pun definitely NOT intended).

I think the people who go off on you for believing that homosexuality is a "sin" are getting a little bit confused. See, I do NOT believe it is a sin. I believe it is the right of everyone to define for themselves who they will be attracted to. But as I'm sure you know, MANY Christians (in fact most) would be the first ones to admit that if they had the power make homosexuality ILLEGAL, they would. A few of them would even tromp through the homes of their neighbors to make sure there's nothing "gay" going on. And that is much, much more than simply "thinking it's wrong." Some people confuse the two.

If you "think it's wrong," then fine. But if you would vote to make it illegal, then you would be forcing your beliefs on others who do not wish to live your way.

If I see someone on these boards who simply says "I think homosexuality is wrong," I don't really trip. I might engage in the debate, but I'd at least TRY to be respectful, as I'm trying to be now.

But when I see people showing NO respect for right of gay men and women (btw I'm straight) simply to be left alone to live their lives the way they choose, I get a little peeved. Someone thinks it's wrong? No problem. Someone thinks that gays should be FORCED to live straight? BIG problem.

Religion should NOT rule an entire country. Look at what happens when it does. Afghanistan, Serbia, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, et al. Is that the legacy that we want here? Well, I already know the answer is "no." People MUST be free to choose the way they live their lives. Even if each of us chooses something that the other finds distasteful.

So basically, if people get butt-hurt because you simply say you believe a certain thing, then they're just being overly sensitive. But if you try to tell them that they should live the way you do, well, then they have a right to be upset. After all, wouldn't YOU be upset if someone told you that they wanted to make a law requiring you to give up your religion and become gay? Yes, you'd be a tad infuriated about it, and you'd be right to be so.

I don't tell religious people that they should live like me. I just don't want them to telling me how I should live. We can agree to disagree. But far too many of them seem to care WAY too much about how I'm living MY life. That's why people get sensitive about it.

To quote Lewis Black: "A constitutional ban on homosexuality? Are you kidding? In the post 9-11 world, you choose THAT to worry about?"

Answer 9

Tolerance is not acceptance.

However it is respecting that although another person's life may be different, they have the HUMAN RIGHT to exist free of discrimination, abuse or anything that imposes upon their private rights.

Paul gives some good advice when he says, "Above all things live peaceably with ALL men."

Answer 10

I agree, tolerance is like a little white flag. A non-aggressive pact.
Acceptance and understanding is much better.
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I disagree somewhat with icycloud, I would be tolerant (not accepting) of someone who thought we should reinforce slavery, I just wouldn’t be tolerant of him trying to enforce it.