Monday, August 30, 2004

tolerance

"Tolerance"- allowing a conduct or point of view of someone you disagree with and showing them respect in the process.

When people use the term "tolerance" correctly, it is refreshing. Usually people mistake its meaning by considering "tolerance" as "neutrality" or "everyone has an equally valid viewpoint." Someone is "intolerant" if they think they are right and someone else is wrong. On the contrary, in order to be tolerant, you have to disagree with sommeone else, by definition. I cannot show tolerance for someone I agree with.

So let's be careful with our language. Someone isn't being "intolerant" because they disagree with you, unless they are specifically trying to find ways to silence you.

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Pastor from LIFEhouse Church in Northridge CA, focusing on the theme, "How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk."