Tolerance

A recent comment on one of my articles, and many on other people's articles - show the serious lack of tolerance from certain individuals for any opinion other than their own. I am always amazed that in people's political fanaticism often they leave no opening for discussion, open minded thought, or tolerance and an understanding that others have opinions which could or could not have basis.

The most amazing part is...it is so very often those who like to perceive themselves as "liberals" who retort with the nastiest comments, and portray serious narcissism in their arrogant attitudes of "talking down" to others. Liberal is defined as: a. not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.

c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.

"And tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded" - I wanted to emphasize this particular definition again so those who call themselves "liberals" can actually listen to the things coming out of their mouths, read what they themselves write, and take a hard look at themselves in their mirrors. Sometimes people get so wrapped up in ideals they forget to step back and use common sense and common decency, and we are all at some point guilty of this and it comes from every spectrum of humanity. No one person, religion, or political belief system is guiltless.

I have never believed in political parties. To me, they do nothing but create a false division amongst people and guarantee nothing good will be accomplished. To debate an issue is healthy and progressive but to use an issue as a tool of power is counter productive. Sometimes I watch the power struggles between the two most prominent political parties in our country and I can only see a bunch of children on a playground bickering over a tether ball or who kicked the ball the furthest, yelling insults at one another. They are so busy bickering nothing gets accomplished and then their "recess" time...is gone.

The reality is most Americans do not fit neatly into one package or another. Most of us care about our families and our future as humans, and even those who may have been conned into condemning their country and practicing divisive tactics...do actually care about this Nation and its people. I personally have a strong faith in the people of this country and I believe regardless of disagreements we will all pull together when needed to keep the original dream of America alive despite the power struggles of those who seek to control a country full of people who will never be controlled. It is not in our nature as born and bred Americans to allow others to dictate to us or to make us once again into subjects of a blind monarchy. When you are born into Freedom you believe it is your right. Even those who have been swayed from this belief, when shoved into a corner they too will come out fighting for that very right.

Wisdom is never gained by looking at only one side of an issue or ideal. If you are standing on a road and you have a pasture on the right and one on the left and someone says to you "The pasture to your right has the sweetest grass and the purest of springs" do you just run into that pasture and never venture to the other side of the road? No. Eventually you will want to see what the other pasture has to offer. Maybe it doesn't have the sweetest of grass or the purest of springs...but it might have more abundance and the springs may never go dry. You have to start in the middle and venture both directions to see what lies to either side.

When idealism gets out of control we sometimes portray ugliness to our fellow man we would not normally show even though that very ugliness should be our first indicator that we may need to breathe, step back, and more carefully study the options. Fanaticism and hyper belligerence are normally indicators of a hidden subconscious - doubt. Truth brings a calmness of spirit/self because there is no war going on inside of us. We forget that at moments we are all pawns of power seekers and would be leaders who convince themselves they care about the people or who truly did at one time but get caught up in the decency eating machine called Politics.

But tolerance needs to be practiced in more than just political views. Religious battles have throughout history caused more grief and bloodshed than any other ideal. Those who call themselves "Christians" - in essence saying they practice Christianity - act in many ways against the teachings of the very man they profess to follow, hypocrisy is visible in almost every religious system on this planet. Yet those who profess to hold only to a theory based on "science" only or call themselves "atheists" are themselves capable of the same blindness and determination to "prove" their theories are the only "truth" while viciously condemning those who hold to their own "faith". The secret to "truth" could be as simple as whatever truth each man/woman finds within themselves...is the only truth and what will be. If you believe you die and cease to exist...then you do. If you believe you die and merely change form to move elsewhere...then you will. Even the Bible says "What you sow you shall reap". If I plant a seed of eternity, then I will have eternity. If I plant a seed of mortality, then I will have mortality. Persecuting others does not bring you truth, or peace, or godlike importance, or ...progress.

Tolerance is not apathy. Apathy does not care and never raises its slovenly head. Tolerance - is open minded and respects the views, the ideals and the faith of others. Tolerance understands life is like a stew, tastier when all the ingredients have been tossed together. Tolerance does not scream or condemn or viciously attack. To respect another human's views is to give them credit for having a sound "reason" behind what they believe. A smart man does not settle in just one pasture. He takes the sweetest grass and mixes it with the long lasting, abundant grass. He stores the pure water for consumption while using the abundant water to grow the grass.

Those who practice Tolerance know that to attack another's point of view creates friction and starts a vicious cycle. To without malice debate, question and vocalize...creates an atmosphere where answers may be found, dilemmas can be avoided, and conflicts fade away. It is why Freedom is so very important...it gives man the right to debate, to think, and to meet somewhere in the middle to find solutions. Without the right to do so we will find ourselves put out in the pasture chosen for us by another. And for me that will never work ...if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence...I want to know and I want the right...to cross the road when ever I want!

"Every kingdom divided against it is brought to desolation;

and every city or house divided against it self shall not stand"

Matthew12:25

This very practical advice from the Christians Bible is pure, common sense. Fighting amongst ourselves does nothing more than create division and hatred caused by angry words and as with all unruly children...someone will take charge and we may not have a choice of who that someone will be. My love of Freedom and my willingness to fight for Freedom is not to belittle or squash the beliefs of those who are passive or have an ideal of a peaceful world. It is the desire to guarantee we all have the right to pursue our ideals while our neighbor has the right to pursue his. We all have reason for what we individually believe. Understanding that and listening to each other's reason...will bring us more answers and progress than stiff lipped determination that the only way is our way.

Sources:

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