Tolerance: Part II

After posting last night on tolerance and reading over my post, I still feel that there is more to be said on the subject. So, here is just a little more on the subject.

First, tolerance defined is "an ability or willingness to tolerate something." This ability does not seem collective in nature to me, but instead, it seems individual. It falls into the category of such individual traits as kindness, openness and perseverance. These are individual traits that come with various degrees and levels. What is kind for one may be rude for another. What is perseverance for a eight year old may be considered lazy for a thirty year old.

When we examine the grammar associated with the word, we find something interesting. Looking at verbs and adjectives, we find one verb, 'to tolerate' and one adjective 'tolerant,' only. Looking at nouns, we find two nouns 'tolerance' and 'toleration' and both have evolved to different meanings. Tolerance is an attitude of mind that implies non-judgmental acceptance of different lifestyles or beliefs that one holds; toleration implies putting up with something of which one disapproves. This idea of disapproval is an important part of toleration as it does not imply elimination of that which is not acceptable. It does not seem to me that there is anything in the semantics of the word even implying that tolerance is the elimination of that which is not acceptable. However, when I look up the word, "intolerance" I find this: "unwillingness to accept views, beliefs and behaviors that differ from one's own." Intolerant refers to active refusal to allow others to put into practice beliefs other than their own.

I do not approve of vile words filled with hate, racism or bigotry, and in the last several months, we have all heard our share of them. But, I do think we are on a slippery slope when it comes to playing judge and jury regarding what is acceptable and what is not. As a Christian, I have found it much safer to leave the judging to a Holy God. When we step into a role reserved for a Holy God we are stepping into an area of trouble. Lately, I am having trouble discerning tolerance from intolerance. Certainly, it is easy to label some of the words spoken publically as intolerant, but then, what label do we apply to those responses to those words. Do we meet intolerance with more intolerance? Or, do we confront intolerance with an example of tolerance and love? I am not sure the answer is in this world; I think the answer is found above, in a Holy God.