Intolerance Or A Difference Of Opinion?

If I listen to your point of view, but don’t agree with it – that means I am intolerant? If I don’t celebrate your belief with you, then I’m intolerant — even if you don’t celebrate my beliefs with me? That doesn’t sound right, but, if you think so… that’s fine with me, because in my eyes that is called a difference of opinion. I feel if I were “intolerant” I would be standing on a street corner blocking you from doing whatever it is I am intolerant of, again, if I am intolerant for not thinking, or believing the way you do, to me, that is what makes us not clones.

I can disagree with you, I can feel or believe you are wrong, and you have the same right, and I am okay with that. I wouldn’t say you were intolerant of my views or beliefs, I would say you disagree with them, and that’s what makes us unique.

When did the definition of intolerance change to: “disagree with”? Or the definition of tolerate become: “celebrate”?

Intolerance Or A Difference Of Opinion? The definition of intolerance is:

not tolerant of views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one’s own.

The definition of tolerance is:

allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

Reading the definition of tolerance above, that says to me that anyone who wants to interfere with my beliefs is the intolerant one.

You see, I am not interfering with your beliefs, I just don’t hold them to be MY beliefs.

Being tolerant of views, beliefs, or behavior doesn’t mean I have to agree with them, vote for them, or even pretend I agree with them. What it means is you have your views, beliefs, and behavior and I have mine and again, that’s okay.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God, that Heaven and Hell are real places, in a literal 7 day creation, I take the Bible at its word and IF you don’t – that, to me, doesn’t mean you are intolerant, or a terrible person, or that we can’t be friends, co-exist, love and laugh, and even enjoy each other’s company. It’s what makes up the world, differing views, beliefs and behaviors.

I also believe people should discipline their children more, but that doesn’t mean I’m intolerant of the parents or the children’s behavior, or that I can’t love the parents and children, it just means I disagree with their parenting beliefs and that’s fine.

Please think twice before throwing the word intolerant around and at people, because in doing so, you might just be pointing out that you’re the intolerant one.

Intolerance Or A Difference Of Opinion?

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