What does it mean to be “tolerant” of a religion?

Question

I mean, most people go on and on about being “tolerant” of religions.

But don’t they realize that religion not only involves what one personally “believes”, but also what they “practice”?

…what if a religion involved the “practice” of child sacrifice?
…what if a religion involved the “practice” of evangelizing and proselytizing non-believers?
…what if a religion involved the “practice” of converting the world, or else killing off non-believers?
…what if a religion involved the “practice” of brainwashing people and mind-control?

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Should we just “relax” and “live and let live”…and be more “tolerant” and “loving”….and allow people to do as they wish in the name of their religion?

Or should we be more intolerant?

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Answer 1

Let's define the word tolerant shall we? This is the best analysis of the current situation where political correctness which itself is cultural Marxism, intimidates Christians (mainly) to be silent. Well read this and make your own minds up:


What's All The Fuss About Tolerance? Should we fear being labeled "Intolerant"?

Somewhere along the way, postmodern society decided that one opinion, religion or morality was just as good as any other. If the trend continues, right and wrong could become a thing of the past. In co operation with Focus on the Family Ministry we are pleased to offer this audio message from author and speaker Josh McDowell discussing the secular worldview many Americans ascribe to, and how Christians can live in the culture while remaining true to their faith.

For those who have been following recent issues in the Moravian Church you will feel that this message is speaking directly to us. Regardless of your views you will find this message informative as Josh reveals the words and terms that are often used to encourage a more tolerant view of "relative truth".

http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Tolerance-Pluralism-Diversity/dp/0830827870

Answer 2

It means respecting that someone else might have a different set of values and beliefs than you do. It does not mean that you have to also believe that religion, nor does it mean that you have to understand it or think that their practices are right morally, ethically, or legally. Each of us has the CHOICE to believe in or not believe in whatever we wish. Tolerance is accepting their right and ability to choose.

Becoming intolerant is dangerous. Intolerance of religion is dependent upon the majority's opinion of what is "acceptable". That could mean anything from prohibition of mentioning the word God or it can mean child sacrifice and female circumcison. If you don't like it, or don't agree with it, it doesn't matter.

Answer 3

Well we do have laws, and we do not allow evil things to be done in the name of religion...such as you describe.
Your argument loses steam when you classify "child sacrifice" in the same breath as evangelizing..it's hardly the same thing is it?
We do allow freedom of religion in this country and I believe we have it right here (USA). Some of the practices you describe ARE being done in other countries. Christians are put in jail for holding prayer meetings and owning bibles. I suppose you could always move to China or elsewhere.
You don't really think it should be like that here do you?
We should never tolerate demonic activity, and we should never tolerate evil and wrong. We have a mandate before God to preach righteousness.

Answer 4

I agree to live and let live. I'm not going to jump in a city street and threaten other religions with hellfire.

Here is what I mean by tolerance:

Accepting that in a secular state, everyone has the freedom to believe and practice as they choose, so long as it does not violate the freedom of other people.

I'm atheist, for example, and I disagree with other religions. But I have no right to use government and ban signs that say "atheists are going to hell," on some church billboards. It's their freedom.

That also means that religions that mutilate children or kill others should not be tolerated at all, and potentially banned because they directly violate the rights of other people.

Tolerance does not mean that one cannot disagree. Feel free to disagree to the core with any belief system, and to debate it in any manner you see fit. Tolerance is not the same thing a political correctness, which is a washy liberal way of not offending other people. I dislike fundamentalist religions and the use of "faith" in public policy, and I'll debate it at any time.

Another version of tolerance means avoiding hateful slander. For example, if I see two evangelicals on the street with bibles in their arms, I'm not going to yell at them or do anything to harass them. And in turn, I hope they would not call me an "immoral atheist working for satan" as I'm buying shirts at Wallmart. As what is defined as "hateful" varies from person to person, this is rather subjective definition. Let common sense be the guide, and for all other matters -- let tolerance and freedom of speech prevail.

Answer 5

The way I have generally heard the term "tolerance" as applied to religion, is in regards to BELIEF only. There is absolutely NO REASON for the government to use co-ercion when it comes to people THOUGHTS.

Of course "tolerance" does NOT extend to otherwise illegal activities.

I wonder why people have such a hard time comprehending this.

Is there such quibbling over the use of the term "freedom" ?
American are always bragging about how our nation is founded on freedom, etc. and no one spouts off and asks questions like "does freedom include the rights to kill people ?

I think the term "tolerance" when applied to religion means the same thing as "freedom of religion".

I have NEVER heard anyone who espouse religious tolerance, argue that this "tolerance" would include the right to rape, maim and murder as part of anyone's religion.

Why is the concept that the purpose of the government is NOT to be the thought police so hard to comprehend ?

Answer 6

I respect the fact that other people believe differently than I. I won't tolerate child sacrifice (that's F'ed up) I don't tolerate people knocking my door, though I still act respectfully as I offer information on my own beliefs (if you knock on my door, you become Game). I don't tolerate the hateful actions of other people, no matter what their beliefs are... killing, brainwashing, attacking, lying.... But I don't go after the beliefs themselves as this does nothing... I go after the individual(s).

No, I don't believe in the "be more tolerant and loving" idea as that gets carried to the extreme as much as the "kill em all, let god sort em out" idea does. I believe in being respectful towards all people till they prove they don't deserve that respect... and harming and harrassing others is one sure way to lose my respect. =)

Answer 7

Each and everyone of us discriminates every day, and maybe even several times a day.

We discriminate when we choose one store over another, one restaurant over another, one college over another, one color over another, and so the list goes on.

It all depends on our likes, dislikes, world views and up bringing, and the choices we make while growing up.

Tolerance is just a word that very few even know how to apply in daily interactions with other people, because we are human beings with a natural tendency to reject what we do not agree with, do not like, or due to lack of cultural understanding cannot make an informed decision on.

I am always amazed that tolerance is so often used in the same breath as "religion".
Religious beliefs, especially Christianity do not create intolerance, they merely point out a moral code that many people do not want to adhere to; it is hard for them to think of being held accountable for their choices, and actions; it is much easier to make oneself belief that as long as it does not hurt the other, we should be able to do what we want.

Should we be more tolerant? No, tolerance as defined by whom? defined in what way?
We should clearly stand up for what is right, and denounce what is wrong; "who defines that", you may ask; answer: GOD.

Answer 8

Killing off people who disagree with us or killing children or others by sacrifice or abortion is certainly not permitting tolerance and i can only practice my religion freely if I let others practice or nonpractice their religion or non religion freely and if i give them and myself and others the right to life,freedom of speech and nonviolent action,freedom to gorw in fulfillment that does not take away the equality and personhood of others who disent from the majority or power-elite view.

One needs to be tolerant of opposite groups that all claim that they have the complete truth and need to convert the world by witness and gentle truth-seeking persuation. We should not be tolerant of those who wish to impose,say, a particular Shi'ite school interpetation and draconian practice of Sharia on a whole populace. since that would be intolerant of all who have different interpetations or who reject Sharia as primitive, false,incomplete,alienating or just plain looney.

We need to go beyond tolerance to empathy and understanding and then to appreciation of the positive and humanizing elements of other ways of answering the questions of purpose,meaning and being.

Answer 9

Nope. I can tolerate a religion WITHOUT tolerating injustices. They have the right to believe what they will, they DON'T have the right to enforce that on everyone else.

Answer 10

While you speak of tolerance, why did you not include

atheists who "practice" the act of ridiculing others
atheists who advocate killing all Christians
atheists who accuse all Christians of murder
atheists who claim that all Christians are idiots

on your list?

Do you feel as if they should be allowed to practice these beliefs? Are you in favor or murder?

Or are you just of the mind that Christians are the ones not to be tolerated for their beliefs?