How to promote Tolerance?

Question

Kinda says it all - a question for those who don't feel the need to enforce a certain way of viewing things on others.

Let me tell you a tale. I have a friend who lives in American South who married a nice Japanese gal. Now he was really, your stereotypical atheist - and i'm talking about the really Bad Stereotype. He rotated between his home and Japan, and during that time his mother in law (which he grew to like) died.

And so he went to a traditional Shinto/Buddhist ceremony and while in Japan found himself "outside of himself" or seeing things with new eyes. He even cut out his often habit of littering so as to not offend the Shinto spirits he did not believe in....rather as a sign of respect for the beliefs of his wife and mother in law.

He went home, took a long hard look at how he had been before and changed. NO - he did not convert to Shinto, or his family's religion - he's still a proud atheist. But not an angry one.

He is of course, an extreme case -

brought up only to highlight that it took a trip to another culture and a different social context to effect a change in thinking.

Now since the circumstances cannot be repeatable for other people - i have to ask - what's the best way for folks to promote tolerance?

Answer 1

The best way to promote tolerance is to openly and flangrantly PRACTICE it. People find it very difficult to be be offensive to people who are patient and kind no matter what.

Answer 2

"In the eyes of history, religious toleration is the highest evidence of culture in a people....It was not until the Western nations broke away from their religious law that they became more tolerant, and it was only when the Muslims fell away from their religious law [Shariah] that they declined in tolerance and other evidences of the highest culture. –Marmaduke Pickthall
.

Answer 3

To me it is very simple. In view of all tolerances, I ask this question, What would Jesus do?