Getting Rid of Tolerance

As I write this, the news is filled with horrible stories. A young man has thrown himself off a bridge because of his roommate filming his date with another man and broadcasting it. Other teens all over the country have taken their lives because of gay-bashing. Stories of Bullies tormenting kids abound in the media.


And among the more level headed, there is a cry. A cry for tolerance.But to this, I say no. No tolerance. Tolerance implies just putting up with something, tolerating it. Rather than that, we need acceptance. Accept people for who they are, the choices they make, the lives they choose to live. Short of a person choosing to injure others in some way, which is naturally a choice we should not accept, we need to take the giant step of acceptance for those with choices and religions other than our own.


The Christ did not tolerate people who were unlike Him. He did not tolerate the poor, nor prostitutes, nor sinners, nor lepers, nor Samaritans. He accepted them, welcomed them, embraced them. Time for us all to stop just putting up with other people, which is so passive. Time for us to love and accept, which is active, an active choice.


You need not be The Christ, nor even follow Him, to be Christ-like.


Acceptance.


First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win'-Gandhi

Welcome

Hello there! I decided to start a blog where I could share some thoughts and ideas about prayer, meditation and the pursuit of the Divine in us all. I am a Christian, but practice extreme tolerance in regards to matters of the Spirit, believing there are many rooms in heaven, and as long as you pursue good, there will be a space for you there.

So although I am a passionate follower of the Christ, I do not denounce other religions. I do strongly object to those that use religion, God and the bible, or any religious work, to wage war or practice intolerance. Oh and I try not to take it all too seriously.

I occasionally preach at First Church in Ipswich, MA. It is a wonderful Congregational church, and I will occasionally reprint my sermons here. Drop in any Sunday, we will be happy to have you there. Like this blog, all are welcome.

Thanks for dropping by, come back often!