How do you show tolerance to those with beliefs different than your own?

Question

Tolerance is an important component in our society. How do you all show tolerance when dealing with people of differing beliefs whether it be in RL or here on Yahoo Q&A?

Answer 1

I treat them and their beliefs with respect. Even if I don't agree with their ideas I respect them and their right to have them. Respect doesn't equal agreement.

And if I do have questions I ask them seriously without ridicule or hostility. And I don't bother to ask questions if I have no real desire to know the answers, I dislike the idea of asking questions only to shoot down the answers. Religious debate unless serious, is usually a waste of time. A chance to wave your flag in someone else's face.

Answer 2

Understanding is an important componant.

I've taken pains to make sure my daughter knows what is sacred to various faiths. It helps me show her why the Xian Nativity (for example) is something to be respected. While it's OK to take the micky out of the more traditional/less spiritual aspects of X-mas - like a dancing Xmas tree.

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Answer 3

I just say we must agree to disagree, with respect. They can tell me what they believe and I show them what I believe. IF they want to know more, they will ask. If not, I leave them alone for God to deal with. We are to love ppl, and to speak truth and live fruth, but we arent to tolerate sin or error.
IF there is a chance of someone receiving truth you will see an interest. If they dont, its not their time yet, leave them to God and He will send someone when its time, if they ever want to know. I use only the Bible to proove what I believe, and if they are to debate a particular topic, they must use the Bible too. You prove the Bible with the Bible. IF they have to bring in another book to prove what they believe, I end the converstion, as if it doesnt line up with the Bible, we arent discussing truths.
We all have a right to believe as we please, but we must be sure to be able to back it all up with scripture only. God tells us to beward of false religion. Even in 2 John, read about it there. If a person brings you God without the full teachings of Jesus Christ, it is false religion. Those are Gods words... not just mine. We can respect others that differ and be kidn to them, but we can only prove our beliefs with the word of God.
Great question.

Answer 4

Big difference between stating your opinion to a real person eye to eye and shouting your disaproval on this secret forum.
In real life you listen and comment politely. Here there is a lot of bashing due to ignorance of the subject matter.

Answer 5

Well, I don't force my beliefs onto other people using government.

I don't preach atheism in public schools, no matter how sensible my views seem.

And I support the Constitution of the United States.

That's tolerance.

Answer 6

you simply mind your own business and not offer your thoughts about what youbelief in unless the other person also asks or shares their own. You simply carry on a conversation without being judgemental and in the back of your mind criticize the other persons beliefs...

Answer 7

You simply continue believing what you believe and let others believe what they believe. Do not critise or put down religion of others. Respect other's religion and they will respect your religion. It is very personal thing. No one is allowed to force others to convert to their religion.

Answer 8

im christian. i don't really care what religion you are and i don't rub my religion in other people's faces. i just can't stand it when people diss my religion though. i know some christians are obnoxious and goes around telling everyone that they're going to hell if they don't become a christian and i think that's wrong and christians who do that make other christians look bad. i have much religous tolerance until you start putting my religion down. i have many agnostic and atheistic friends and we get along just fine.

Answer 9

I usually listen to them patiently and politely, then I just tell them that their beliefs are not my beliefs, and that they're welcome to debate the matter if they so wish. They usually don't, though. Being tolerant simply means to be willing to listen to others points of view and particular beliefs. it doesn't mean you have to accept or agree with those beliefs. It also doesn't mean going to war about them, either.

Answer 10

--WE ARE ADVISED TO:

(Colossians 4:5-6) “. . .Go on walking in wisdom toward those on the outside, buying out the opportune time for yourselves. 6 Let YOUR utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how YOU ought to give an answer to each one.”

--SO WE indeed need to be careful as to how we might let irratation or frustration affect our tolerance of others!

--COMMENTARY on tolerance:

*** w01 7/15 p. 23 Are You Truly Tolerant? ***
***With a Mild Temper and Deep Respect”
What about exercising patience toward people whose religious views differ from ours? A “General Lesson” that was posted in all the National Schools established in Ireland in 1831 reads: “Jesus Christ did not intend his religion to be forced on men by violent means. . . . Quarrelling with our neighbours and abusing them is not the way to convince them that we are in the right and they in the wrong. It is more likely to convince them that we have not a Christian spirit.”
--Jesus taught and acted in a way that drew people to God’s Word, and so should we. (Mark 6:34; Luke 4:22, 32; 1 Peter 2:21) As a perfect man with special God-given insight, he could read hearts. When necessary, therefore, Jesus was able to pronounce scathing denunciations on Jehovah’s enemies. (Matthew 23:13-33) It was not intolerant for him to do this.
--UNLIKE JESUS, we lack the ability to read hearts. Hence, we should follow the apostle Peter’s counsel: “Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) As Jehovah’s servants, we should defend what we believe because it is solidly based on God’s Word. But we need to do this in a way that shows respect for others and for their sincerely held beliefs. Paul wrote: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one.”—Colossians 4:6.

In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “All things . . . that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matthew 7:12) So, then, let us patiently put up with one another and show respect for those to whom we preach the good news. By balancing our zeal for righteousness with Bible-based tolerance, we will please Jehovah and we will truly be tolerant."

--AS THE saying goes "the biggest room is the room for improvement"!