“Tolerance” has become quite the buzzword.
But you won’t find its new meaning in a dictionary. We’ve cheapened it to, “Let’s just get along.”
Today’s “tolerance” implies fully affirming every opinion, every behavior, and every value system.
So let’s test it. Tolerate:
“There is no god, no spiritual dimension.”
“There is no way of truly knowing spiritual truth.”
“It is possible to know, and there is one God, one way to heaven.”
Did I leave out anyone to offend? I hope not! I wouldn’t want to be exclusive.
If you hold passionately to any of one of the above three statements, it’s likely that someone will just as passionately disagree with you. And, in this postmodern world, neither of you will be applauded for your intensity.
In fact, no matter how you present your case, you will likely be dismissed as uncivil, even hostile.
Here are the new rules:
Never ever suggest that one belief system or standard is universally true, because there is no room for “intolerance” in “tolerance.”
And since every view is to be treated as valid, exclusivity is shunned. It’s not nice to differ, so just focus on the slivers of common ground that every side can affirm. Be politically correct and simply agree to disagree.
But that is not realistic, and it doesn’t lead to peace.
“Let’s agree to disagree” is a brush off. When you don’t talk out your conflicts, you cannot resolve them or even properly respect them.
Sweeping things under the rug may bring temporary relief, but the mess is still not cleaned up. Soon the rug bulges up and trips you. Misusing “tolerance” is marred peace of mind, merely a coping strategy that offers no resolution.
True tolerance is exemplified in patience and compassion for people, not leniency toward error, hypocrisy and lies. We shouldn’t “tolerate” everything. Examples like hate, lazy stupidity, pious double standards and corruption come to mind.
Let us be compassionate to all people, despite social standing, wealth, religious views, race, or sexual orientation. But let us also be eloquent in our argumentation, although never arrogant, firm but never unloving.