Some random musings on tolerance.
Inspired by the almost addictive banterings of MTV's Real World (senseless and evil as it is, there is nothing on at 10:00-forgive me) I return to the used and well debated issue of tolerance. For some reason, I don't think people ever truly latch on to the real meaning of this word. I, myself, believe tolerance to be a necessary aspect of life, one that should be extended to all people. And if people could ever really grasp the concept, this world would be a much happier place to exist in.
Tolerance is acceptance of the ideas, lifestyles, beliefs, and systems of other people. Whether you agree with them or not. you don't have to agree with someone to still respect their differing opinion. Because that is what true tolerance is. It is having true respect for your fellow man and letting him live his life as he sees fit. No where in this concept comes judgement or condemnation. No where in this concept is a sense of superiority. If people could do this, live in harmony, respecting people enough to treat them the way that they would have themselves treated-well, need I say more? We'd be saved.
When you get down to it, we are all on the same level. There is nothing between us that separates us into the catagories of "right" and "wrong". Women, men, gays, straights, people of all races and religions...On this Earth, we are all the same. And in a society that functioned as thus, there would be no need for activists, feminists, chauvanists, any "-ists" really. We would all be equal, as guilty as everyone else of living a less than perfect life.
I myself belong to the Christian faith. By this faith, I believe that we have all been saved and are promised a life everlasting. And because of this redemption, I believe we have been called to love and care for everyone in this world same as ourselves.We are called to respect and build up our neighbors. However, I would not attempt to impose my beliefs on someone else or belittle them for thinking otherwise. I would never want someone to degrade my faith and force their ways and beliefs on me. I think that there should be open communication about such things, as that is the key to understanding people and learning not only about the world around you, but also about yourself. But when push comes to shove, not everyone has to see the world in the same light.
why is it that people are so distraught to think that the world isn't following their logic? Why do we fight everyday to make other people just like us? What a boring world it would be if we all were the same. I will be content to "live and let live". As long as someone's rights are not being infringed upon, I can't see what harm this has at all. As long as someone offeres me the same respect I offer them, there is no inherent conflict there.
That's all for now...as yet to be continued in the future......
*I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it...*
(I wish I could remember who said that)
Inspired by the almost addictive banterings of MTV's Real World (senseless and evil as it is, there is nothing on at 10:00-forgive me) I return to the used and well debated issue of tolerance. For some reason, I don't think people ever truly latch on to the real meaning of this word. I, myself, believe tolerance to be a necessary aspect of life, one that should be extended to all people. And if people could ever really grasp the concept, this world would be a much happier place to exist in.
Tolerance is acceptance of the ideas, lifestyles, beliefs, and systems of other people. Whether you agree with them or not. you don't have to agree with someone to still respect their differing opinion. Because that is what true tolerance is. It is having true respect for your fellow man and letting him live his life as he sees fit. No where in this concept comes judgement or condemnation. No where in this concept is a sense of superiority. If people could do this, live in harmony, respecting people enough to treat them the way that they would have themselves treated-well, need I say more? We'd be saved.
When you get down to it, we are all on the same level. There is nothing between us that separates us into the catagories of "right" and "wrong". Women, men, gays, straights, people of all races and religions...On this Earth, we are all the same. And in a society that functioned as thus, there would be no need for activists, feminists, chauvanists, any "-ists" really. We would all be equal, as guilty as everyone else of living a less than perfect life.
I myself belong to the Christian faith. By this faith, I believe that we have all been saved and are promised a life everlasting. And because of this redemption, I believe we have been called to love and care for everyone in this world same as ourselves.We are called to respect and build up our neighbors. However, I would not attempt to impose my beliefs on someone else or belittle them for thinking otherwise. I would never want someone to degrade my faith and force their ways and beliefs on me. I think that there should be open communication about such things, as that is the key to understanding people and learning not only about the world around you, but also about yourself. But when push comes to shove, not everyone has to see the world in the same light.
why is it that people are so distraught to think that the world isn't following their logic? Why do we fight everyday to make other people just like us? What a boring world it would be if we all were the same. I will be content to "live and let live". As long as someone's rights are not being infringed upon, I can't see what harm this has at all. As long as someone offeres me the same respect I offer them, there is no inherent conflict there.
That's all for now...as yet to be continued in the future......
*I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it...*
(I wish I could remember who said that)
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