Tolerance is an increasingly important and necessary practice in today’s world, where people with different beliefs frequently come into contact and interact with one another.
When you are tolerant, you respect the rights of others to have beliefs different from yours. You do not try to prevent them from having their beliefs nor do you try to punish them. You treat people who have different beliefs with civility and respect, and you do not discriminate against them because their beliefs are different than yours.
In the absence of tolerance, many social problems can develop, leading to conflict, social exclusion, and the cruel and unjust treatment of some groups and individuals who are perceived as being “different.”
Getting Personal
Have you ever personally experienced intolerance, based on your beliefs? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
What is a good example of something or some people that you disagree with, but which you tolerate? Why do you tolerate it or them?
“Without tolerance there is no religious liberty, no freedom of conscience and no freedom of thought.” (Thomas Klestil, former President of Austria)
“Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue, it makes it a requirement for survival.” (Rene Dubos, French-American microbiologist)
“Tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” (Timothy Keller, American author)
Top of post image, “The History of Religious Toleration”, from lithub.com
