Tolerance is this word that is thrown around, by myself included, which tends to mean different things to different people. In a previous post Amy Schultz called me out in my use of this word in the context of tolerance toward homosexuality versus the mainstream Christian viewpoint that homosexuality is wrong. Her comment read as follows:
“I think you just spoke out of both sides of your mouth! To say that disagreeing with a lifestyle is intolerance, is in itself a statement of intolerance and not respecting the idea of agreeing to disagree! This is where definitions are important! Let’s come to some agreement with what tolerance means definitively. To love others in spite of disagreement is tolerance in my opinion. Agreement with the lifestyle as tolerance would mean to achieve unity we must have uniformity and that is not interesting at all! That is like listening to music with no harmony, only unison voices. Love helps us to rise above differences and come to common ground with our differences and diversity. It also creates interest and harmony. Religion that requires everyone think, act and look the same is legalism, not Christian.”
I have to say that I have the utmost respect for what Amy is saying here, and I agree with her reasoning for bringing this to our attention. I would like to both define tolerance, as well as state my position on tolerance.
Tolerance is defined as:
1. a fair, objective and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differs from one’s own; freedom from bigotry
2. a fair, objective and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one’s own.
3. interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, practices, etc., foreign to one’s own; a liberal, undogmatic viewpoint.
4. the act or capacity of enduring; endurance: My tolerance of noise is limited.
So, it is clear that key elements to tolerance are the attitudes that people carry, not necessarily the feelings that they have toward a particular opinion, practice or person. This is an external projection of one’s own beliefs and feelings onto a given person or situation. The interest in, the concerns for and the capacity to endure ideas that differ, or are foreign to one’s self are internal abilities that one can strengthen through practice and increasing familiarity with these different and foreign entities of the world.
To me, the most important elements of true tolerance are being liberal (favorable to or in accordance with concepts of maximum individual freedom; free from prejudice or bigotry; open-minded; free or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas) and undogmatic (unwilling to accept dogma, especially in religion; not asserting opinions in an arrogant manner, not pertaining to a set of presubscribed tenets or doctrine authoritively laid down, as by a church.)
As we have seen time and time again, societies of men/women have established opinions beliefs and principles that we later come to realize are simply social constructions of our surroundings in which we often use our governments, our churches and our personal unwillingness to understand those who practice different life patterns. Dogmatic practices have lead to the death, persecution and suppression of blacks, Hispanics, women, Jews, “witches,” Native Americans, mentally and physically handicapped, little people, homosexuals, the poor, and many many other sects of societies. People and their cultures have been socially mishandled due to preconceived notions, and also from misrepresentation or direct language coming from religious texts or leaders.
I would like to add that this is not imply that I believe all behavior should receive tolerance. For one example, if the actions of a person inflicts harm or stress on another person or takes advantage of another person who is an unwilling participant or is incapable of making an informed decision, I believe this to be wrong because a person is essentially stripping the justice, the fairness and the essence away from another human being.
Thanks Amy! I hope I clarified my current position. I look forward to your response as well as those of others.
Lazerbeem 
Lathen,
Thank you for clarifying. I agree with most of what was said, but of course I do have some discomfort with some statements.
I agree wholeheartedly that THE key element to tolerance is attitude that is externally projected. The idea that an attitude is forced upon another is unjust and not tolerant by any definition. That, in my opinion is bullying!
I think I appreciate your term “liberal”. I have been called a “liberal theologian” by many. But, my definition again, is probably much different than yours. Liberal theology is related to the idea that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is ‘liberating’ to all who choose to recieve that teaching. It is inclusive, not exclusive of certain people groups or individuals. It is based upon a recieving by faith the idea of who Jesus is. Not based on what you are doing. That issue is taken care of via the relationship between God and the believer, in the community of faith that expresses grace during our maturity process as people.
Being undogmatic indeed should be understood as not asserting opinions in an arrogant manner. Christ called us and modeled for us a Gospel of grace and forgiveness that brought reconciliation and healing to the people he interacted with. That is not to say he did not confront sin. He absolutely did! But he did it in a loving manner that lead to understanding, not calling down hell’s fire on their head! That is not redemptive! We are to be bound by the law of love of God and neighbor! By the way, any leaders, not just religious leaders can be dogmatic!
Religious atrocities exist on the history books of many religions, not just Christian! Let’s be careful to not hang all the evil on one or two religious systems!
I am encouraged by new movements within Christianity and churches. More and more individuals are sensing a conviction of the lack of social justice in regards to how we do church and how we express Christ in our communities and homes. Some fundamentalists would call it heretical. I call it reformation! The Old Testament is full of God being angry at his own people for the mistreatment of others and of the created world itself! The New Testament is full of Christ’s examples of mercy. The church needs to be shook up a bit and refigure what is really important to them and to God!
Tolerance?!? How tolerant has God been with us while we mess everything up!?! Can we do any less? Tolerance is love extended in the face of differences.
Well, there’s my rant for the day!
~For what it’s worth~
Its worth as much as I could possibly ask for. I appreciate your addendum to my explanation of dogma, as I meant it as you said it. I guess its still challenging to step out of my own experiences and frustrations with certain institutions, but that is one of the main drives behind these conversations.
Thank you for your graceful ranting.