Is tolerance not enough?

I agree, though I would add 'celebrate'. Tolerance simply means you're okay with it being there. Respecting it means that you acknowledge it as valid.

I agree with that, if mutual respect for beliefs had happened from the very beginning, the world might be/have been a happier place. There are religions that would still be in existence today and some that would not have the power or influence over society that they have now. For the most part, religion in the western world (Europe, U.S.) wasn't spread by good deeds and warm thoughts, it was largely spread by the sword and the suppression or eradication of others. There are those that wanted people to forget what came before so, the annexation and renaming of holidays of prior religions was important as well. Sometimes they couldn't completely eradicate the older beliefs, so they claim it as their own, rename it and hopefully, through time, the origional intent would be lost and their religion would prevail- this tactic has worked to a large degree, it's been like that for centuries, instead of loving their neighbors, they destroyed them in return for social and political power. As late as the 1800s and early 1900s in the U.S., many Native American children were forced to go to boarding schools and the religions of the new owners of the land were forced upon them, often being beaten if they refused it- this was not only religious persecution, but also an attempt at cultural destruction. Of course, all these were actions of men, but men whose actions were fueled by a flame of hatred and greed by the one "true" religion. Even after acknowledging those facts that allowed their religion to reign supreme, and them to actually embrace it in the "softer" times, I doubt there are many (if any) believers in those religions that would want to reverse all the torture, destruction, and misery that have been caused by it if it meant that they might not have that religion in this present day- any takers?

I think that we should be tolerant of others' beliefs and that we should accept other religions as equally valid. But, I don't think one should have to respect all religions. If a religion teaches something that is very offensive to me, I won't go around bashing the people who practice it, and I won't say that I'm better and that my way is right, but I also won't respect it.

Religions that put down women, for instance, I simply cannot respect.

Maize said:

"We must respect other religions, even as we respect our own. Mere tolerance thereof is not enough." - Mohandas Gandhi

Do you agree?

Click to expand...

No, not really. Does that mean that I need to give equal time to the Mormons if I have a newborn child? Tolerance is enough. Let each one practice his own beliefs in society, and demand no more. If I ever marry and have a child, there will be no equal time. It only exists out in society.

I find treating people with respect is beneficial to myself. Proponents of hatred will not recieve my respect however.

I agree; tolerence should not even be mentioned in the same sentence with religions not your own. I have a great respect for those who can put themselves into what is in their faith even if it's not of my own. I think we must learn to be respectful to others as we want them to be...you know the Golden Rule still hasn't become too old fashioned to apply to our lives.

Lintu said:

I think that we should be tolerant of others' beliefs and that we should accept other religions as equally valid.

Click to expand...

I do not tolerate jingoism, racism, sexism, or antisemitism, nor do I consider any religion or philosophy predicated upon oppression as valid, much less worthy of respect. I have only slightly more tolerance for relativism.

I can`t agree with that expecially if feathers is right.

I find little validity in the vast majority of religions.

I do try to be tolerant though.

It isn`t always easy

I doubt there are many (if any) believers in those religions that would want to reverse all the torture, destruction, and misery that have been caused by it if it meant that they might not have that religion in this present day- any takers?

Click to expand...

Great!

You know...I have another thought to add. The level of tolerance mentioned on here, one where we judge all views as on equal footing, is self-defeating.

Some of the most intolerant people I've met are people who espouse this view. It becomes a driving ethical, or even religious, imperative. As a result, its proponents can be as hostile and ugly towards those who do not share it as people can be for other views.

However, if a person acts consistently with it, then there is the problem that turning one's back on intolerance can just as easily be an abandonment of the same position. After all, in a discussion, when this is the subject under discussion, and people oppose it, is it OK to tell the other party they are unequivocally wrong? If not, then it is also wrong to try and perpetuate the view among people who disagree.

IMO, that problem renders the view itself rather self-defeating. It makes a claim to truth that it must deny as truth.

I think the word "tolerance" is a very negative word. It has nothing to do with respect. Tolerance would mean you are putting up with something you don't like. Respect means you are open to the religions of others. Respect gives freedom, tolerance jails.

And if you think their beliefs do not merit respect? Or even tolerance for that matter?

Deut. 32.8 said:

I do not tolerate jingoism, racism, sexism, or antisemitism, nor do I consider any religion or philosophy predicated upon oppression as valid, much less worthy of respect. I have only slightly more tolerance for relativism.

Click to expand...

I'd have to agree with Deut here. To be politically correct, there are some things that should not be tolerated.

I do more than tolerate many religions, I study other religions. I was born and raised in a conservative Christian environment, however I am very liberal and I actually enjoy studying other religions and their belief systems. I respect religions that deserve respect, and my way of determining this is by seeing the agenda, and if the agenda is egoistic it is not worth what you call respect. You see all of the former which Deut listed, all of them consist of egoistic agendas. Just like how I determine what is sinful and what is not. Oppression is egoistic. "My religion is better than yours" is egoistic. Sometimes the sense of having moral values can even be egoistic. It all depends upon the person's agendas.

Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

My personal belief system has evolved because of my liberalism.

Lightkeeper said:

Tolerance would mean you are putting up with something you don't like.

Click to expand...

Yes it does, and that's a very good thing. Some belittle it and call it negative because we're so far removed from the time when, in stead of "putting up with" religious differences, they were viciously purged.

Lightkeeper said:

Respect means you are open to the religions of others.

Click to expand...

No, it does not. I have the greatest respect for the Quackers, yet I'm in no way "open" to it.

Lightkeeper said:

Respect gives freedom, tolerance jails.

Click to expand...

Good grief! :banghead3

I'll say what I always say. Respect comes from humility. It only comes when one realizes that they may be wrong. Some things do not warrant tolerance or respect. Nor does one have to be open to them. But a person who believes they are right, and everyone else is wrong, has too big of a head. World peace (I know its an ideal and will probably never happen) cannot come about by simply tolercane. I believe respect and humility is necessary.

When I say that all religions are equally valid, I mean that any particular person's religion COULD be the "right" one, if there is such a thing as a "right" religion. I don't mean to say that all religions make sense or should be approved of equally if there's something within them that is hateful. I think I didn't make that very clear in my post.