What are some verses from the Bible that show tolerance and intolerance?

Question

For a research paper I'm doing, I need to find verses in the Bible that exhibit tolerance of other peoples and their religions. I also need those verses which show intolerance. I need the verses that show exclusivism (There's only one way to God), as well as those which show inclusivism and pluralism (if there are such verses).

[inclusivism = the Bible's way is the right way, but others can have some things right, or can still get to heaven.
pluralism = the Bible is one way among many. Other religions are valid.]

I appreciate everyone's help on this! Thanks.

Answer 1

Tolerance: For whoever is not against us is for us. (Mark 9:40)

Intolerance: Whoever is not with me is against me (Matthew 12:30)

Warning: One can, by taking phrases out of context, make them seem to mean almost anything.

The Bible taken as a whole is the story of salvation history for all humans. What can be more inclusive than that?

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Unless Someone is Holding a Gun to Your Head - There is No Such Thing as Exclusivism! What class would this be for? "Communism"?

Did it ever cross your mind that people have a right to decide and choose for themselves - believe in Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Falum Gong, Hinduism, Islam, Janism, Judaism, New Thought, Reconstructionist, Scientology, Secular Philosophy, Shinto, Sikhism, Taiosm, Unitarian Universal, Zoroastrianism, Christian Science, Eastern Orthodox, Catholicism, Atheist, Agnostic, African Methodist Episcopalian, Jehovah Witness, Confucian, Deist, Eckanhar, Esoteric & Metaphysics, Holistic Spirituality, Indigenous Beliefs, Jain, Messianic Jewish, Multifaith, Muslim, Native American, New Age, Pantheist, Shamanism, Sufi, Taiost, Wicca, Satanism, Aboriginal, African Disporia, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Caribbean, Ahmadiyya Movement, Asatru, Candomble, Cao Dai, Ceremonial Magik, Christadelphians, Mennonites, Kemetic Religions, Jedi, I-Chang, Greco-Roman, Hare Krishna, Hellenismos, Freemasons, Folk Magic, Essenes, Raelians, Religio-Romana, Runes, Santeria, Science of the Mind, Scientology Freezone, Slavic, Spiritualism,

There are too many to name - but you get the point... http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/faith_communities.asp

SO where do we begin? And why only the bible that exhibit tolerance of other peoples and their religions. Why not take it a step further and ask people from these other religions what their doctrines teach that shows "exclusivism" ? No - that wouldn't be possible! BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS EXCLUSIVISM WHEN ONE IS TALKING ABOUT A PERSON'S CHOICE TO BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE IN!

Unless a person lives in a Communist Society - that person(s) has every right as a human being to choose what religious doctrine, Faith, set of Beliefs, (Religious or Not) that they want to choose and believe in.

"Religion" regardless of what faith or beliefs they abide by, Is Not a Public Social Club dictated through the Government that one Must believe in or else be jailed or killed. All these relgious faiths, or beliefs open their doors to any person interested in learning what they believe in - and then that same person can choose to believe what the faith/religion teaches or NOT believe - and move on down the road.

Answer 3

This could be deamed a loaded question if not looked at with the right impression. In the movie Titanic, the people of the higher class were given first dibs on the inadequate supply of lifeboats, while the people from steerage had to go into the icy waters. This could be considered exclusiveness as well as intolerance.

But that is not the Bible. The plan of salvation contains enough lifeboats for everyone...

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

...and everyone is invited into the lifeboats...
Acts 2 - First sermon preached were to...
“Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs.

...however, free will allows you to ignore the lifeboats.
Joh 12:48
Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

But those that choose the lifeboats will be saved.
John 3:15
“Whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish but have eternal life."

Many will choose to stick with the sinking boat. They will ignore the warnings, they will refuse the offer of lifeboats. They will choose the beauty and grandeur of its offerings while the water slowly engulfs it.
Matt 7: 13-14
Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

So you see, it is not so much "you can go and you can't". The scriptures are clear that there is a warning that the world is destined for hell and destruction, however, there is a Lifeboat and He says to COME and find shelter.

As prophesied of that day in Isaiah 26:19-21
"Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain."

...to be fulfilled in Revelation 22
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

There you have it. EVERYONE is invited. However, the truth must be told that there is only One Door, and One Way to eternal life. All other "ways" lead to destruction.

John 10:7-10
Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them."
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Answer 4

in the journey that your person complete brother, or your son or daughter, or the one which you love spouse, or you intimate pal, entices you secretly to serve different gods, whom you and your fathers have not familiar, gods of the different countries, close to handy or a techniques away, from one end of the earth to the different: do no longer yield to him or hear to him, nor seem with pity upon him, to spare or look after him, yet kill him. (Deuteronomy 13:7-12 NAB) there is the Biblical stance on non secular tolerance. helping or no longer, the Bible takes its stance. yet what even though if it is not relatives or friends? think you hear in between the cities the LORD your God is providing you with that some valueless rabble between you have led their fellow voters off course by potential of encouraging them to worship distant places gods. In such circumstances, you may study the data intently. in case you discover it fairly is real and would instruct that this form of detestable act has exceeded off between you, you may attack that city and thoroughly smash all its inhabitants, besides as all of the livestock. (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT) choose a verse that, loosely interpreted, contradicts the Bible? valuable: Love thy neighbor. Run with that, forget approximately concerning to something of the Bible.

Answer 5

I think the Beatitudes in Mathew show tollerance for those even outwith the Christian faith
biblical scholars do agree that they suggest that faith is not the only way to gain enterance to heaven

The Beatitudes
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are they merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Answer 6

Find a concordance in the library

Answer 7

Christianity is not inherently tolerant. There is PLENTY of intolerant verses.

Answer 8

Here's you link for Biblical intolerance.