Tolerance seems to be the major theme of conversation in our world today. But as discussed in my last post, tolerance is not the goal of this discussion. At the heart of the tolerance discussion is the idea of pluralism. So let me talk about true tolerance. Tolerance is not the idea of accepting other believes as true but allowing each person to have their own beliefs. True tolerance values the opinions of others because of the value of the individual. Their opinion can be right or wrong, but their value is unmeasurable. Tolerance says, "I value you enough to allow you to have you own opinion." At the same time tolerance does not mean that I will never challenge ones wrong beliefs.
Okay...I have rambled on enough. Let me illustrate this by telling you who is the most tolerant person I know! It's God! Think about this, isn't free will...tolerance! You have the right to make right and wrong decisions. But just because you have that right (tolerance) does not mean that God wants you to continue to make poor decisions.
In fact, you have the right (tolerance) to continue to live a life apart from God. But aren't you glad Jesus did not set back and say, "They has the right to live that way, and we must accept their reality as true (pluralism). Yes, Jesus allows people to live lives apart from him. But he is unwilling to allow them to continue with out the opportunity to know the truth.
Our world says that "forcing" your version of truth on someone is intolerent! But I contend that speaking the truth is not a sign of intolerance, in fact, it is a sign of tolerance and compassion. What about those who do not beleive the truth. Well, God has some tolerant words for them. 1 Corinthians 14:38 - But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
In the name of Tolerance!
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!
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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