tolerance

tolerance

a. sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own b: the act of allowing something.

Tolerance is a popular slogan and a fascinating concept. We here it all of the time: “We’ve got to learn to tolerate one another.” “If we’re ever going to get along, we must be tolerant.” “The key to living in a pluralistic world is tolerance.”

On the other hand, we also hear a different slant on tolerance. For instance: “When it comes to child abuse, we allow zero tolerance.” “At work, we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drug use.”

So, on the one hand, we are told to tolerate most everything and everyone. On the other hand, we are to uphold a stance of zero tolerance. So, which is it?

Well, obviously, one of the keys to a proper stance on tolerance is to understand what it is, exactly, that we are to tolerate or not tolerate. That is, you cannot make a blanket statement about tolerance without first knowing what subject, behavior, or idea is in view. Only then can you begin to decide if such-and-such or so-and-so ought to be tolerated.

This all said, I do think there are some basic attitudes that should govern our approach to tolerance. Among other things, I’d like to suggest the following:

✓ At some level we obviously must tolerate and accept all people. We are all created in the image of God. We are all called to love our neighbors and even our enemies. To ignore these realities is to run contrary to a Christian worldview.

✓ Any realistic assessment of life in the real world compels us to tolerate other human beings. Whatever legitimate disagreements we have with others, we cannot expect to be a blessing to them unless we decide, as best as we can, to tolerate others. Even if we can’t like another individual, we can and must love him/her.

✓ Our views of tolerance can be informed by societal trends, but they must never be enslaved to these trends. By this I mean that it is certainly fine for believers to take up secular causes, efforts to promote “getting along.” But, we are not to mindlessly follow the crowds, simply because it’s the “in” thing to do. Political correctness is not a strong enough motive or a reliable enough guide for matters as important as these.

✓ We must not tolerate that which offends God or harms others. Evil must be opposed for everyone’s sake. When you take a stand against clearly inappropriate practices or behaviors, many will oppose you. But, as followers of a higher (and, hopefully, humble) way, we must sometimes confront that which is the antithesis of truth and morality. This is called conviction.

✓ This said, it is also essential, in our opposition to that which is wrong, to live in a right way. Too often, or so it seems to me, the moral standard bearers come across as condescending and arrogant. To be sure, there are times when truly humble people are unfairly portrayed as arrogant by those who simply want to defend their inappropriate practices. But, sometimes, when we oppose misbehavior, we do come across as a bit too confident in our assertions.

✓ On a related point. Just because we are opposed to something that is wrong does not mean that we must always scream our views from the rooftop. Of course there is certainly a time and place for such loud opposition to evil. However, not every thing that is wrong demands a constant barrage of verbal arrows.

✓ It is possible, I think, to be both tolerant and intolerant, at least in some situations. For instance we can tolerate individuals, even caring for them and relating to them in meaningful ways, while also being intolerant of their choices or lifestyles. This might lead us to confront certain behaviors; love must sometimes do just that. On other occasions, we might apply our intolerance in more subtle ways. Genuine tolerance does not have to degenerate into a mind-set in which we are fearful about intervening in the lives of people who need our help. And intolerance does not have to degenerate into belligerence. Tolerance and intolerance, properly understood and applied, can coexist.

✓ Clearly, we need wisdom in these matters. We must tolerate some things and remain intolerant of others. Above all, we must love (and tolerate) others as God has loved (and tolerated) us, and we must stand against (remain intolerant) of those things in our own lives that hinder this stance of truth combined with love.

This is complicated stuff, stuff we learn (but never perfectly) over the course of a lifetime. Undoubtedly, we need others to walk with us as we attempt to balance these important characteristics. Unquestionably, we need a transcendent resource if ever we are going to (at least occasionally) get this right.