Tolerance seems to be one of the most used words in the religious dialogue these days. But I fear it is also one of the most misused words. A few strokes on the keypad in the Google broswer brings up a quick definition of tolerance. It says, tolerance is "a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own." (from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tolerance) I think most people mistake tolerance with pluralism. Again, a few keystrokes in Google and we find that pluralism is "a theory that reality consists of two or more independent elements." (from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pluralism)
What is the difference? One might ask. Well, simply stated, tolerance says that a person must be willing to allow other people to have their own opinions/beliefs. While pluralism says that one must accept the opinions/beliefs of other people as truth. See the difference...tolerance does not force the ideas on other people, pluralism seeks to have every one's ideas be accepted as truth. Pluralism is the religion of a the relativistic world in which we live!
Follow me for a second. Relativism means there is NO truth, therefore it is up to the individual to develop their own truth! Once one has developed their own truth, they now have a worldview that should direct their every action. But in order for them to live the way they want to live, they must make everyone else be accepting of their truth. Everyone else must be more than tolerant, they must accept everyone Eese's way as valid (pluralism). This is such a slippery slope that started years ago, when the Enemy said, "God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:5)
The Devil tempted Adam and Eve with independent living, where they made up the rules for their own lives. Sound familiar! Then he alluded to the fact that once they made up their own rules, God would have to accept them as truth (pluralism). Satan elevated them to the same level as God when he said "ye shall be as gods" simple because they made up the rules for their own lives. Then he implied that God would accept them as "gods". How silly! And what a huge mess that made out of God's perfect creation!
Isn't it great that some six thousand years later we have learned from their mistake. HARDLY! We are making the same mistake all over again. We are setting ourselves up as little "gods" of our own lives. And the most egregious part is that we expect god to be tolerant with us. Or should I say, we expect Him to be pluralistic!
Join me next time as I talk about the most tolerant person I know!
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