Christians were never told to tolerate anyone. If we just tolerated everybodys beliefs, how would we reach anyone?
Just my question, does anyone else see my problem with the whole tolerance issue?
2007-08-14 05:20:23 · 27 answers · asked by Jane 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You have NO IDEA how true this is.
Sunday, I preached that Jesus’ message was about love. I preached that the message of Love runs through the entire Bible – from creation through the OT, the Gospels, the letters and through Revelation – the message of the Bible is that God loves us, and wants to be in relationship with us.
And as I preached the week before, as a guest preacher in another church, I could see in people’s faces, they may not be happy with what I was saying. In fact, the week before, at least one person went out another door, to avoid me.
God, and Jesus’, message is about Love – not tolerance.
If you’re going to say or do violent or hateful things, I won’t tolerate it, but I will love you.
So, “intolerant,” or unloving people, deserve and need to be loved twice as much. God loves them, and so do I.
We don’t reach people by tolerating their beliefs – we reach people by loving them. No matter who they are, or what they do, we love them, because God loves them, and because God loves us.
Godspeed.
2007-08-14 05:31:51 · answer #1 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A great person said, "what we accept, we deserve, what we do not try to change, we deserve." Christians are the single most tolerant religion there is, if we weren't, our Christian Nation would look a lot different today.
Allowing small faults is everyday normal, BUT, not calling attention to the major faults is unforgivable.
The trouble is that being tolerant is a slippery slope that brings everyone down to the same level.
You are right though about those that preach tolerance, not being very tolerant. Of course being tolerant is not their goal now, is it?
Rosie O'Donnell is a perfect example of that behavior. And we should never lose sight of her true goal. She does not want to destroy Christianity, she wants to force change, insert her own new set of morals, she wants to be the church, not destroy it.
2007-08-14 05:26:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is far more teachings in the bible to "tolerate" others than to chastise them. Judge not... The difference is you are stating "Christians were never told to tolerate anyone". Go a step farther with Christians are also not the judgment of all people. Live your life as you see fit with the word of God as I will mine. But don't push how you interpret the Bible on me, because after much research I, (we) may interpret it differently. Bottom line is Christians were told many times in the Bible to live life as close to the way Jesus lived and taught. I don't remember anywhere where Jesus was "intolerant" of anyone.
2007-08-14 05:40:51 · answer #3 · answered by Niki Linde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends upon how you define and extend the definition of TOLERANCE!!!
People who follow the Bible are Christians.
People who follow Quran are Muslims.
People who follow Gita are Hindus.
People who follow Guru Granth Sahib are Sikhs.
But, end of the day, all the Holy Books and their preachings NEVER tell you to tolerate or oppose anyone.
They all have one thing in common.
They all put humans and humanity before anything else.
All the texts are in different languages and scripts, but the basics are same.
Be a human. Trust yourself first. Judge yourself first. Be a human before you call someone inhuman. Try to see the positive aspect in the person who has the most negative attitude towards you. Because there are the negative sides that is why the positive sides carry more value.
Just like a journey starts with getting your one foot forward, left or right does not matter, reach out with a friendly prospective to people with a positive attitude and faith in yourself, without any selfish reason and you will certainly achieve what great people have achieved before and trust me, you will enjoy EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF IT.
2007-08-14 05:51:24 · answer #4 · answered by SUBIMAL B 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Tolerance is just like being passive. I am not saying that we should be forcing our views on others, but our convictions relating to our faith in Jesus Christ should be PUBLIC. Everyone should know where we stand regarding right and wrong. The problem is that being Christian has eroded to a powerless word associated with hypocrisy and worldliness. In the early years of the Church's history, the disciples were described as "ones who had been with Jesus Christ." The disciples were first "called" CHRISTIANS in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Non-believers CALLED them CHRISTIANS. I am sure that it was not a word of affection and friendship either. Today, the word, CHRISTIAN, is returning to its original meaning bearing disdain, hatred, and violent actions clearly demonstrated in the United States and around the world. So, advocates of TOLERANCE are really promoting ACCEPTANCE. I encourage true Christians, Disciples of Jesus Christ... around the world to APPLY, SANCTION, and PROFESS what the Scriptures affirm and... RESIST with your THOUGHTS, WORDS, and ACTIONS any agenda that is contrary to the Word of God! This is our FINEST HOUR to preach the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST and proclaim LIBERTY to those who are CAPTIVE. Enjoy! [(\o/)(XP)]
2007-08-14 05:47:12 · answer #5 · answered by XPSoldierForever 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Really? Christians were not taught to tolerate people? What part of "Love thy enemy" am I misunderstanding?
I am a Wiccan who is friends with a conservative Christian. He tolerates my beliefs. That is to say, he doesn't attack them or pester me into conversion. That does NOT mean he agrees with my beliefs. He disagrees but tolerates. And should I ever be interested in returning to Christianity, he would be there in a heartbeat helping me along the way. That's how Christians should reach out to others: preach to those who want to hear the message, offer to teach and be willing to take "no thank you" with decorum.
2007-08-14 05:26:14 · answer #6 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Ha! Good point. I use that all the time with the "tolerance preachers". I have found the "tolerance preachers" to be the most intolerant people on earth.
2007-08-14 05:22:38 · answer #7 · answered by CJ 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
So because the Bible does not tell you to be tolerant, you think you are exempt from showing others tolerance? To be tolerant is to be respectful. If you wish to receive tolerance and respect, you must live as an example of tolerance and respect.
2007-08-14 05:24:19 · answer #8 · answered by Christy ☪☮e✡is✝ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you say "you need to be more tolerant" how is that NOT being tolerant of others? At least you didn't go crazy and cuss them out!
We can tolerate people's beliefs and other people because it's the right thing to do. That's what separates us from the savage Muslim fanatics.
2007-08-14 05:24:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I remember I (an asian, not a buddhist) went up to this african american preacher who was talking about how the 'white man' warped religion and we should tolerate any body of any race. I asked him what he thought of white people, and boy oh boy! Didn't tolerate them at all! :D
2007-08-14 05:25:54 · answer #10 · answered by Joey T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋