tolerating other beliefs ....?

Question

I hear many times at the moment that Christians should tolerate other faiths and beliefs, but what does this mean? Some say that there is truth in all religions therefore it's ok to believe in Christianity but not ok to see it as more valid than other religions. What do you think?

Answer 1

Christians don't have to agree that those who choose other religions (including not choosing one at all) are correct, but they should respect the right of others to follow their own path. Christians shouldn't always be up in everyone's face yelling, "You're wrong! You're going to hell!"

A good example is this forum. If someone asks a question regarding atheists, buddhists, pagans, etc ... a christian shouldn't just answer to say, "It doesn't matter, they're going to hell."

Now, it is a different situation if an atheist, buddhist, pagan, etc asks the question: "Christians, I am atheist/buddhist/pagan/etc, do you think I'm going to hell?" In that situation, a person is asking christians for their beliefs and its appropriate.

Answer 2

I personally believe that "tolerating" other's beliefs does not mean you are being asked to "BELIEVE" as other's believe. It is only asking for the curtesy of being able to believe what they so choose to believe with out being put down, or judge unfairly. How can you judge something you do not understand?

What I mean is that just because one person believes one thing is true, spiritually, and another person believes something else is true, it does not actually make either person's TRUTH, any less true... becuase their truth is in the eye of the beholder, at least when it comes to spirituality and the validity of it. Because to be honest, there is not scientific proof to back up any religion. There is documentation that this person or that lived and died, but no proof other than FAITH of what this person or that person actually taught or wanted to teach.

Tolerance is not such a hard thing to give, if one has an open mind and an honest heart and understand that we were not put here to cast stones or judge our fellow humans.

The bottom line is there is as much a possiblity that there is NOTHING after we die as there is there being a Heaven or a Summerland or a Hell or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So we should afford our neighbors the right to believe as he or she chooses without judgement or condmenation becuase it is their right to believe, no matter how right or wrong you may perosnally view their beliefs, to believe what they choose too.

To answer "Some say that there is truth in all religions therefore it's ok to believe in Christianity but not ok to see it as more valid than other religions. What do you think?"

I think that there is validity to all religions, our belief in them gives them that validity. I think there is something good and similar in MOST religions. I think that who ever it was that created all of us, was smart enough, wise enough to know that we are all different, unique and that being so we would need different and unique ways to find our own way to our Creator... different paths, trials and byways to find our way...

Answer 3

It means that they should accept and not criticize or belittle any one elses religion. They should be okay with the fact that other people are happy believing in other religions and don't necissarly need christianity. They need to realise that while christianity works for them it may not work for everyone else. there is some truth in all religions but there are also lies and distortions in every single one as well so it's hard to say which religion is more valid than another cause non of them are completely true and we have no real way of knowing for sure which is more true. Therefore they should acknowledge that their religion is not completely factual and does have some holes in it.

Answer 4

This is what I think. I'm going to assume that these are Christians who condemn certain sinful actions even if the person doing this has a religion which teaches opposite to Christianity.

My answer would be this. The person making such a demand needs to get a reality check big-time. What they ask is that Christians look at the sinful deeds of the world and say we should allow them as if that is some noble attribute. Their demands for nobility seems to blind them completely to the fact that Christianity teaches we should do the opposite. It is in fact sinful to do such things. If a person outside the faith tries to mix itself in with the Christians, the Christians are commanded to correct them. I wouldn't even have to go there. This can be attributed to any person who takes morality seriously.

So that's what it means. A person is stupid to make such a demand in the first place. Secondly, they are morally condemning the actions of Christians while not realizing that that is exactly what they themselves are doing. They never stop to look at themselves and realize the blatant contradiction and realize that they just don't like being told they are doing wrong.

Answer 5

I was raised Christian (i.e. going to church on Sundays and most major holidays). I have found that "Christians" are for the most part terrible hypocrites - they essentially go to church to feel good about themselves and think that it allows them to treat other people however they wish. I know a lot of Christians who are greedy, lazy, bigoted, homophobic slobs who use their religion as a crutch.

In response to your question - I think Christians have shown throughout history that they are NOT very tolerant of other peoples' beliefs. Perhaps if they were a little more understanding (and studied their own religion more) they might be able to get along with the rest of the world instead of trying to convert it.

Just my opinion.

Answer 6

I couldent agree with you more! I am a wiccan but have made many friends on here from all faiths. Even though i do not share their beliefs i try to treat them all with the same respect i would like to be shown.
BUT
I do take offence when they tell me i will burn for my beliefs and that i am a child of satan( who i dont even believe in!)
Then i feel it is fair game for me to attack them in the same manner! But only the individual, not the belief system they have!
Show respect and you will be treated with the same respect.
You get what you give.....
Blessed Be!
)O(
Ariel

Answer 7

I hate that term "tolerance" How about "acceptance"? I think that's what Jesus would say. Tolerance implies an arrogant belief that you'll let others have their delusions without throwing rocks at them....

Answer 8

Are you aware you look like Bono with that avatar?

Answer 9

my son had a little blue Thundercats jacket that was his fav when he was about 5 years old