Religious Tolerance

[Lilyflower]

To me Religious tolerance is: being aware that we are all on different stages of our journey.Some have nearly finished while others have hardly begun.

Ours is not to judge but to love wherever we can

 

[Lapell]

To me Religious tolerance is: being aware that we are all on different stages of our journey.Some have nearly finished while others have hardly begun.

Ours is not to judge but to love wherever we can

And to love also means to help the beginners to advance and the ones “advanced” to share their wisdom and help others become better and better in God’s ways, or if you prefer, to become a person of integrity, a really better person in every way.

 

[HashemEchad]

I think religious tolerance means to learn about other faiths, not to convert them to yours, but to increase your understanding and tolerance of the other people who share this planet.

This coming Sunday, my husband and I are going to visit some Buddhist monks at a temple which used to be the synagogue I grew up attending as a child (the Jewish congregation moved, and sold the building to Cambodian Buddhists.)

I’ve been talking to the head monk by phone, and since his English is not so good, he put me in touch with an American Buddhist convert who is active in their temple.

It seems the synagogue members accidentally left some important records in the building, and I volunteered to pick them up and bring them to the Jewish Genealogical Center which stores such records for families doing research.

Anyway, we got to talking, and it turns out his wife is Buddhist (Asian), and he grew up Lutheran. He still regards himself as Lutheran, but is very interested in Buddhism too. He sees no contradiction in following both (to each his own, I guess!)

He wanted to know more about Judaism…he did tell me that they own another building down the street, and they are using that other building for their actual worship (where their statues will be)…he said out of respect for the fact that the former synagogue was once Jewish, they will not be putting any Buddhist statues in that building, only in the other one. They plan to use the former synagogue for meetings and gatherings only.

I didn’t say this to him, but I found that incredibly respectful of the fact that it used to be a Jewish house of worship. They are under no obligation to do that, since they own the building, but they chose to do it that way anyway.

To me that is religious tolerance and respect taken to new heights!

 

[planten]

Originally Posted by Lilyflower
To me Religious tolerance is: being aware that we are all on different stages of our journey.Some have nearly finished while others have hardly begun.

Ours is not to judge but to love wherever we can

And to love also means to help the beginners to advance and the ones “advanced” to share their wisdom and help others become better and better in God’s ways, or if you prefer, to become a person of integrity, a really better person in every way.

** Discussing Religious Tolerance, please consider the following principle:

“There is no compulsion in (any) religion.”**
Does this principle have anything to do with tolerance in religion. Please consider and reply. Thanks.

 

[planten]

I think religious tolerance means to learn about other faiths, not to convert them to yours, but to increase your understanding and tolerance of the other people who share this planet.

This coming Sunday, my husband and I are going to visit some Buddhist monks at a temple which used to be the synagogue I grew up attending as a child (the Jewish congregation moved, and sold the building to Cambodian Buddhists.)

I’ve been talking to the head monk by phone, and since his English is not so good, he put me in touch with an American Buddhist convert who is active in their temple.

It seems the synagogue members accidentally left some important records in the building, and I volunteered to pick them up and bring them to the Jewish Genealogical Center which stores such records for families doing research.

Anyway, we got to talking, and it turns out his wife is Buddhist (Asian), and he grew up Lutheran. He still regards himself as Lutheran, but is very interested in Buddhism too. He sees no contradiction in following both (to each his own, I guess!)

He wanted to know more about Judaism…he did tell me that they own another building down the street, and they are using that other building for their actual worship (where their statues will be)…he said out of respect for the fact that the former synagogue was once Jewish, they will not be putting any Buddhist statues in that building, only in the other one. They plan to use the former synagogue for meetings and gatherings only.

I didn’t say this to him, but I found that incredibly respectful of the fact that it used to be a Jewish house of worship. They are under no obligation to do that, since they own the building, but they chose to do it that way anyway.

To me that is religious tolerance and respect taken to new heights!

Very good gesture on the part of the Budhists and their regard for the jewish faith is remarkable. That is a sign of religious tolerance. Good.

 

[Steven_John]

To me Religious tolerance is: being aware that we are all on different stages of our journey.Some have nearly finished while others have hardly begun.

Ours is not to judge but to love wherever we can

Amen
May God bless you and yours

 

[Valke2]

We of all faiths should at all times remember that mutual concern for each other’s welfare should replace mutual contempt for each other’s belief. If religion can keep this thought in the forefront of our minds, then I think we can achieve religious tolerance in the most postive aspect.

 

[ralphinal]

We of all faiths should at all times remember that mutual concern for each other’s welfare should replace mutual contempt for each other’s belief. If religion can keep this thought in the forefront of our minds, then I think we can achieve religious tolerance in the most postive aspect.

I agree. I have said before that if the only way that you can feel the presence of God in your life is as a {insert here}, thenplease stay a {insert here}.

I do have a question for everyone on this thread. Let’s say that you feel a certain way about a certain act that your faith calls a sin. Do you think that it is acceptable for you to leave your faith to find one that condones it? Further, does it weaken the ability of others ot have religious tolerance when people leave not because of religious or theological issues but because they do not want to feel guilty about a sin?

 

[Steven_John]

I agree. I have said before that if the only way that you can feel the presence of God in your life is as a {insert here}, thenplease stay a {insert here}.

I do have a question for everyone on this thread. Let’s say that you feel a certain way about a certain act that your faith calls a sin. Do you think that it is acceptable for you to leave your faith to find one that condones it? Further, does it weaken the ability of others ot have religious tolerance when people leave not because of religious or theological issues but because they do not want to feel guilty about a sin?

Yes
No

 

[HashemEchad]

I agree. I have said before that if the only way that you can feel the presence of God in your life is as a {insert here}, thenplease stay a {insert here}.

I do have a question for everyone on this thread. Let’s say that you feel a certain way about a certain act that your faith calls a sin. Do you think that it is acceptable for you to leave your faith to find one that condones it? Further, does it weaken the ability of others ot have religious tolerance when people leave not because of religious or theological issues but because they do not want to feel guilty about a sin?

No, and yes. This is one of my pet peeves, esp. in Judaism, but it happens in other faiths too…people who leave a faith because they don’t like the rules.

Though, I suppose, it would be far worse if they stayed in the faith and tried to change it to their liking instead…sort of destroying from within.

 

[Lapell]

I agree. I have said before that if the only way that you can feel the presence of God in your life is as a {insert here}, thenplease stay a {insert here}.

I do have a question for everyone on this thread. Let’s say that you feel a certain way about a certain act that your faith calls a sin. Do you think that it is acceptable for you to leave your faith to find one that condones it? Further, does it weaken the ability of others ot have religious tolerance when people leave not because of religious or theological issues but because they do not want to feel guilty about a sin?

That means one does not accept the simple fact that he/she is a sinner, it seems. Even though God, who hates sin. doesn’t hate the sinner him/her-self! One way to get rid of it, they seem to think, is to be somewhere where sin is not a sin…
Scary! For it seems such a place would have to be Hell…

 

[Pug]

Let’s say that you feel a certain way about a certain act that your faith calls a sin. Do you think that it is acceptable for you to leave your faith to find one that condones it? Further, does it weaken the ability of others ot have religious tolerance when people leave not because of religious or theological issues but because they do not want to feel guilty about a sin?

No, not generally.

Not sure. Are you asking if Mr. Smith meets a stream of people who say things about their former religion like “they were just too extreme with a bunch of oppressive rules”, might that negatively affect how Mr. Smith views that religion? Then yes. But it may depend on Mr. Smith himself.

 

[ralphinal]

No, not generally.

Not sure. Are you asking if Mr. Smith meets a stream of people who say things about their former religion like “they were just too extreme with a bunch of oppressive rules”, might that negatively affect how Mr. Smith views that religion? Then yes. But it may depend on Mr. Smith himself.

That was not the angle that I was thinking, but that is a good one.

I agree that people should admit that they sin and not find a place that condones it. taking up the Cross cannot include denying it.

I was thinking that tolerence is hurt by large groups of a single type of sinner changing. For example, if the Denomination of Denominons states that anyone who feels that Frogs are acceptable sexual partners are not sinning, and all the frog lovers go there, other denominations that see frog-love as evil may start calling that entire denomination sinful.

 

[bobzills]

No, and yes…

The topic here is about religious tolerance, but unfortunately it appears that there is a problem in Israel with Jews spitting on Christians? I don’t know how true this is but it is reported in the Jewish press? haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=487412&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y&itemNo=487412

 

[HashemEchad]

The topic here is about religious tolerance, but unfortunately it appears that there is a problem in Israel with Jews spitting on Christians? I don’t know how true this is but it is reported in the Jewish press? haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=487412&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y&itemNo=487412

I had not heard of that, but any Jew who would do something like that is an idiot and a disgrace to the Jewish faith.

 

[Swan]

I agree. I have said before that if the only way that you can feel the presence of God in your life is as a {insert here}, thenplease stay a {insert here}.

I do have a question for everyone on this thread. Let’s say that you feel a certain way about a certain act that your faith calls a sin. Do you think that it is acceptable for you to leave your faith to find one that condones it? Further, does it weaken the ability of others ot have religious tolerance when people leave not because of religious or theological issues but because they do not want to feel guilty about a sin?

Yes. No.

Let me give you an example. One of the reasons I left RC is that I disagree on the birth control issue. I gave it a great deal of thought, studied the issues (IOW, didn’t just willy nilly leave). I did not do it because I don’t want to feel guilty about sin because I don’t believe it is a sin.

The thing about religion belief is that it is subjective. I think that’s because we are all different, from different backgrounds, different cultures, etc. What works for some will not work for all. I think this is part of God’s plan. As long as our “religion” doesn’t inringe upon the rights of others, then it should be respected.

 

[ralphinal]

Yes. No.

Let me give you an example. One of the reasons I left RC is that I disagree on the birth control issue. I gave it a great deal of thought, studied the issues (IOW, didn’t just willy nilly leave). I did not do it because I don’t want to feel guilty about sin because I don’t believe it is a sin.

The thing about religion belief is that it is subjective. I think that’s because we are all different, from different backgrounds, different cultures, etc. What works for some will not work for all. I think this is part of God’s plan. As long as our “religion” doesn’t inringe upon the rights of others, then it should be respected.

Ok. I know where you are coming from on ABC. It is not an easy one ot accept. I have no desire to discuss it on this forum, and I hope others choose not to derail this thread.

Anyway, where does it stop? What about someone who feels that homosexual sex is not a sin? Or multiple marriage? Or beastiality? Spouse abuse? Rape within marriage? Abortion? Slavery? At some point, an action either has a sinful nature or it does not. Even if we cannot accept giving it up, some things are sins no matter what.

Why will the same message not work for everyone? What is in the Christian message (or Jewish) that will not work for anyone on earth, if they are willing to change their ways?

 

[Swan]

Ok. I know where you are coming from on ABC. It is not an easy one ot accept. I have no desire to discuss it on this forum, and I hope others choose not to derail this thread.

Anyway, where does it stop? What about someone who feels that homosexual sex is not a sin? Or multiple marriage? Or beastiality? Spouse abuse? Rape within marriage? Abortion? Slavery? At some point, an action either has a sinful nature or it does not. Even if we cannot accept giving it up, some things are sins no matter what.

Why will the same message not work for everyone? What is in the Christian message (or Jewish) that will not work for anyone on earth, if they are willing to change their ways?

I truly understand your point of view. But I have a problem with logic that makes jumps from ABC to slavery. I keep seeing comparisons on this board of homosexualtiy and serial killing. As is today it’s one tomorrow it will be the other. My take on it is that if the actions are not harming another then it’s really none of my business. I know a lot of really wonderful gay people. They are trying to be happy. They are involved with consensual partners of legal age. Whereas, spousal abuse is a direct vilolation of the rights of the one being abuses. Someone is suffering at the hands of another. Ditto slavery, sex with minors, etc. Let me also add something that will give you more insight into my character. I’m bipolar. For the past year or so I’ve been having a truly hellish time. I’ve had people who don’t know me from Eve (would say Adam but I’m a woman) and tell me that if I’d just get “right with Christ” or some such line, that my problems would end, that what I need is “god in my life” - I resent this type of thing because it’s presumptions and insulting - like telling me to just cheer up. As a result, I am loath to do this same thing to folks whose lifestyle might not be my thing. I don’t know them, their hearts, their trials, etc… so who am I to tell them how to live? We all struggle and armchair quaterbacking may be fine for football but it doesn’t work with other people’s lives. It was my impression that Jesus loved us unconditionally and taught us to do the same. Of course, I guess that can be about a hard as the ABC issue.

 

[ralphinal]

I truly understand your point of view. But I have a problem with logic that makes jumps from ABC to slavery. I keep seeing comparisons on this board of homosexualtiy and serial killing. As is today it’s one tomorrow it will be the other. My take on it is that if the actions are not harming another then it’s really none of my business. I know a lot of really wonderful gay people. They are trying to be happy. They are involved with consensual partners of legal age. Whereas, spousal abuse is a direct vilolation of the rights of the one being abuses. Someone is suffering at the hands of another. Ditto slavery, sex with minors, etc. Let me also add something that will give you more insight into my character. I’m bipolar. For the past year or so I’ve been having a truly hellish time. I’ve had people who don’t know me from Eve (would say Adam but I’m a woman) and tell me that if I’d just get “right with Christ” or some such line, that my problems would end, that what I need is “god in my life” - I resent this type of thing because it’s presumptions and insulting - like telling me to just cheer up. As a result, I am loath to do this same thing to folks whose lifestyle might not be my thing. I don’t know them, their hearts, their trials, etc… so who am I to tell them how to live? We all struggle and armchair quaterbacking may be fine for football but it doesn’t work with other people’s lives. It was my impression that Jesus loved us unconditionally and taught us to do the same. Of course, I guess that can be about a hard as the ABC issue.

Well, as someone with relatives with mental and emotional illnesses, including several bipolar relatives, I would never say that “getting right with Christ” is your answer. I know what the struggle is like, although i personally don’t have it, i see it daily.

My whole question would go back to if Jesus made lifestyle adjustments? Could a prostetute remain one and follow Him?

True, the examples that I gave do involve someone else, but there is no such thing as a solitary sin. I can give you one that some think is: masterbation. If a Church says it is a sin and someone disagrees, should they leave the church? They do not think that they are hurting anyone. Why should it be a sin?

 

[Lilyflower]

Yes. No.

Let me give you an example. One of the reasons I left RC is that I disagree on the birth control issue. I gave it a great deal of thought, studied the issues (IOW, didn’t just willy nilly leave). I did not do it because I don’t want to feel guilty about sin because I don’t believe it is a sin.

The thing about religion belief is that it is subjective. I think that’s because we are all different, from different backgrounds, different cultures, etc. What works for some will not work for all. I think this is part of God’s plan. As long as our “religion” doesn’t inringe upon the rights of others, then it should be respected.

The temporal rights of others? What about their right to eternal life?

There is nothing subjective about authentic doctrine. This is where Protestantism comes in.

I agree we are from different cultural backgrounds. If you want to be reductionist to the enth degree then we are all different seeings we are the sum total of our personal history and experience. But the remedy provided by Christ in the Holy Eucharist is truly Universal [Catholic] as it transcends all barriers cultures and personal experiences. It is a flight from the individual ‘alone’ to the ‘infinite Almighty God Alone’. In that sense it is subjective.

The remedy of the Confessional [and Last Rites] may also be seen as ‘subjective’ but only in so far as the Sacraments themselves are Universally Objective and universally applicable regardless of culture and personal experiences.

Blessings and peace