Please help me to understand. (moral, reject, doctrine, preach)

[Nikodemus]

For those of you that are a part of a tolerant religion (which as far as I know, is just about all of them, at least by the claims I hear) how is the exclusion and persecution of any group acceptable?

I am not trying to start a debate here. I'm really not. I want answers to this question. I have seen people turn their backs on others because of sexual preference, unwanted pregnancy, etc and ad nauseum.

How is that practiced justified within the religion? How can people who preach love and peace and compassion then say, "Oh, except for you because....."

An old question, I know, but one that's never been answered to my satisfaction so I thought I'd give it a go here.

[Sunstone]

If you are interested in the psychology of intolerance, there is no better source I've found than The Authoritarians by Robert Altemeyer.

[ChristineES]

Tolerance doesn't necessarily mean you accept something, just that you will put up with it. Unfortunately, in any group, there are people who are unwilling to tolerate anyone who is the slightest bit different from themselves. I think it may be mostly because of fear and/or ignorance.

As a Christian, I was always taught "love the sinner, hate the sin". Problem with that, is not everyone follows that belief. Too many people hate the sin and the sinner.

In my own faith, I try my best to follow the Golden rule- treat others the way I want to be treated. Any kind of harassment would be out of the question if all Christians followed the Golden rule.

[Nikodemus]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

If you are interested in the psychology of intolerance, there is no better source I've found than The Authoritarians by Robert Altemeyer.

Thank you. I'll give it a read.

Originally Posted by ChristineES

Tolerance doesn't necessarily mean you accept something, just that you will put up with it. Unfortunately, in any group, there are people who are unwilling to tolerate anyone who is the slightest bit different from themselves. I think it may be mostly because of fear and/or ignorance.

As a Christian, I was always taught "love the sinner, hate the sin". Problem with that, is not everyone follows that belief. Too many people hate the sin and the sinner.

In my own faith, I try my best to follow the Golden rule- treat others the way I want to be treated. Any kind of harassment would be out of the question if all Christians followed the Golden rule.

Oh I understand that tolerance and acceptance are very different things. I would never expect someone who finds a behavior morally wrong to accept it. But I do expect those who preach tolerance to tolerate and turning your back is not tolerance. It's denial.

I have heard your answer before and I believe that there are many out there like you. What I don't understand is why the church (whatever that means to you) doesn't enforce tolerance like it forces other behaviors.

Thanks for trying, though.

[Laremst]

I believe that it is due to ignorance, hatred, and possibly greed. Most people are easily bent by such things.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Nikodemus

For those of you that are a part of a tolerant religion (which as far as I know, is just about all of them, at least by the claims I hear) how is the exclusion and persecution of any group acceptable?

I am not trying to start a debate here. I'm really not. I want answers to this question. I have seen people turn their backs on others because of sexual preference, unwanted pregnancy, etc and ad nauseum.

How is that practiced justified within the religion? How can people who preach love and peace and compassion then say, "Oh, except for you because....."

An old question, I know, but one that's never been answered to my satisfaction so I thought I'd give it a go here.

I'm not sure that "tolerant" is even a good adjective to use with respect to religions, although I do know where you're coming from. To me, there are just tolerant and intolerant people. For instance, in my religion, there are certain behaviors that are absolutely considered sinful. There is also a commandment to love one another and another not to judge. I think that some people just focus more on condemning the sinful behavior and are therefore considered to be intolerant, while others are focused more on living the commandment to love and not judge, and are considered to be tolerant.

[3.14]

The Death Camp of Tolerance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Nikodemus

For those of you that are a part of a tolerant religion (which as far as I know, is just about all of them, at least by the claims I hear) how is the exclusion and persecution of any group acceptable?

I am not trying to start a debate here. I'm really not. I want answers to this question. I have seen people turn their backs on others because of sexual preference, unwanted pregnancy, etc and ad nauseum.

How is that practiced justified within the religion? How can people who preach love and peace and compassion then say, "Oh, except for you because....."

An old question, I know, but one that's never been answered to my satisfaction so I thought I'd give it a go here.

UUs don't do that. Not to be mean, but they're the only religion I've seen that "walks the talk" as a whole. That's why I joined them.

[Nade]

In order for the group to survive, there must be an outgroup. Just as there is an inside of a circle, there must be an outside of the same circle. To have a religious group that accepts everything is to not have a group at all.

Do you see?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Nade

In order for the group to survive, there must be an outgroup. Just as there is an inside of a circle, there must be an outside of the same circle. To have a religious group that accepts everything is to not have a group at all.

Do you see?

It's entirely possible to reject some doctrines as false and some behaviors as sinful and still be respectful of people who believe and practice them.