What does "Tolerance" mean to you?

Question

I see so much INTOLEARNCE that I figured it would be a good idea to discover what "TOLEARNCE" means to some of you here?

I hope you will be specific in your reasons. I would also love to know how your personal religion plays into your personal "TOLERANCES".

Do you believe your God/Allah/Buddha/Goddess/ Divinity would be proud of your "Tolerant" actions or lack of tolerant actions? Or does religion need even play a part in basic courtesies? I know some Atheist that are pretty subjective and tolerant.

When I refer to being tolerant... I mean not only of another’s religions and beliefs, but of their lifestyles and society choices, weather the norm or not...

And if you are INTOLEARNT about something... such as the hate I have seen about Gay marriages, or the belittling of other religions... then answer what gives you the RIGHT... to sit in judgment and pass on your condemnation of those things? Please share in a specific manner the whys of it.

PERSONALLY....

Personally I view tolerance in the manner that it does not mean if I am TOLERANT of someone else’s beliefs, or views or lifestyles that I have to BELIEVE it is RIGHT or WRONG… what my being tolerant means that I BELIEVE that the other person has as much a right as I DO, to think, feel, believe and do as they CHOOSE too… as I said, as I have that same right to think, feel, believe

Okay... after reading some of the asnwers... let me state... that when I mean tolerance or to tolerate it does not mean that I would tolerate rape, abuse, or hate crimes...

So... in reference to TOLERANCE in this question... it means TOLERANCE in a respectful manner. NOT tolerance in the manner of having to suffer indignities, or abuse or such.

Which rises the question of is there a time to be INTOLERANT? I do believe so!

I personally am intolerant of folks that are abusive in manner or actions. I am intolerant of those that are bias in an uneducated manner... meaning they are INTOLEARNT of something that they have not even take the time to try to actually understand before being intolerant of it... so, is there a time for intolerance? Yes... but what do YOU think.

Answer 1

Tolerance is to allow an individual to make any mistakes or triumph that a person has to make in order to learn a precious lesson in life or in order to gain through effort that which the Divine has in store for them. The lesson that one action is benevolent or malevolent to oneself and others. Or that a certain benevolent action is pleasing to the divine.

What other people ( believers or heathens ) choose... whether it is right or wrong in OUR eyes.... if God and his angels don't stop such an act, what right have we to interfere? We as friends/family/loved ones of course can only do our best to advise for or against an action, but here is where TOLERENCE comes into play, to allow the individual to make their own choice, learn their own lessons and advance spiritually in their own time and way

Neither the Bible nor the Quran, even the Hindu scriptures nor the Buddhist Sutras, Shastras and Tantras...NOT even the Taoist classics say that we are to be MEDDLESOME in the lives of others... God gave each person a free-will... should we take that away from them, do we actually think we are wiser than God/Allah/Supreme deity, his Angels and the rest of his entourage?

Vain is the one who thinks he/she is purer than the one they "VIEW" as Heathen, Prideful is the one who doesn't share the Word of the Lord in Humility and Egoistical is the one who feels they are Holier, more Deserving and more Capable of attaining the Glory of Heaven, when one lives, speaks and thinks OPPOSITE to that which the ancient Saints, Sages and Holy Jesus have thought...


As I have read in another post... No Wonder Vanity and Pride are Satan/Devil./Mara's favorite sin, coz Holier-than-thou people get caught within its web without even realising it!!!! Easy entry into the very gates they are rebuking and cursing others into... IRONIC isnt it?

Answer 2

Tolerance is never an issue for me until someone starts the nonsense that I'm somehow obligated to be so whether or not I have or have authored an opposing viewpoint. The ones who violate this social courtesy far more than others are the atheists.
Voicing ones negative opinion of gay marriage isn't on the same level as hate. The people who keep perpetrating this willful misuse of the word do so because they've obviously recognized its utility for obscurity and innuendo "value".

Answer 3

Tolerance means acceptance. It means you aren't going to get weird looks and hear stifled whispers behind your back. It means you get respect as a person, and won't be judged just because of the color of your skin or the beliefs that you follow, or what you enjoy between the sheets in your own home. It ALSO means that you pay the respect that is due to the people around you, and don't judge unfairly. It means that you too won't make unneeded comments about going to hell for some reason.

Tolerance is a two way street. Gotta give it to get it.

Answer 4

The value of anyones tolerance completely depends on the persons intentions.

If you tolerate your boss to keep your job, your tolerance doesnt have much of a value except to save your own self.

If you tolerate someones rude behaviour in the hope that they will see their mistake and correct themselves without you having to clash with them, then your tolerance is valuable because youre thinking about both you and the other person.

If you tolerate for the sake of God, then youre tolerance is at the utmost. Because youre not motivated by your ego, and youre being completely selfless.

However, sitting around letting people do whatever they want is not tolerance. For example I will not sit and watch a grown man beat a child senseless.

I will only tolerate what is required to have a peaceful relationship with others.

Answer 5

Tolerance to me means respecting others even though you diagree and not letting it affect you in a negative way. Accepting that everyone is different.Religion wise the only think I can say about that is that I think everything happens for a reason and that helps my tolerance level. My tolerance with my kids is a different story, lol, Im workin on it though.

Answer 6

To me tolerance is the acceptance of someone else's beliefs and personal choices that you don't necessarily believe in or or condone.

Tolerance is the ability to disagree without being disagreeable.

Tolerance is embracing the differences in all of us, while concentrating on what we have in common.

I'm only intolerant of anyone and everyone who is intolerant, and of other people's actions that directly and negatively impact my life.

Otherwise, live and let live.

Answer 7

I think the BEST definition of "tolerate" for the religious debate is the second one provided by the American Heritage Dictionary -- "To recognize and respect (the rights, beliefs, or practices of others)."

Although others may choose a path that I personally would not, I would still support their right to pursue it. What most people don't realize is that by restricting the rights of certain groups, we aren't ensuring our own rights. If we restrict the rights of homosexuals and we set that precedent, what's to stop a different leader from restricting the rights of heterosexuals in the future? If we make a law preventing any Wiccans from practicing their beliefs, what's to stop another leader from making that same law in reference to Christians? To protect the rights of others is to protect your own, also.

Personally, I hope that God is happy in the way I follow his commandment to "love my neighbors". I'm never rude or condemning of anyone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation ... any group that they might fit in.

We are all humans, and we all deserve the same basic rights and respect. Regardless of the view that the majority has on the status of our eternal souls.

Answer 8

Tolerance is accepting people for who, not what they are. I'm an Atheist, but I'm accepted by most Christian's because I (a) don't usually bash their religion, and (b) because I'm a nice person.

Answer 9

Tolerance is a rare gift.
Tolerance within man is that rare quality that allows man to accept both the good and bad within life and give thanks to God for the chance to experience it. There is much pain no doubt within the experiencing, but it is that intangible word called Faith that must carry man through life trials and tribulations.

Tolerance is one of the beautiful qualities of God that is indeed a mystery, and one that we all must come to an understanding of.

Answer 10

TOLERANCE is when I respect because I'm respected. I dont have to be tolerant with anyone that disrespect me or confront me on purpose.