This morning I checked my Google updates and found that several people had sent me information about a petition going around called, “Change National Day of Prayer to National Religious Tolerance Day.” I wrote a little note to one person about why I will not sign something like that, and I thought I should share it with you, too.
First of all, I HATE the word Tolerance. People hold it up as an earmark of something to strive towards, as if it is a good and virtuous goal to achieve. Sorry, but I don’t believe that ~ at all.
Let me tell you what “tolerance” really means. It comes from the word “tolerate.” Definitions for this word include, “to allow without opposing” and “to put up with; endure.” Really? This is how we want to look at other religions and people with other beliefs?
I don’t think so.
I strive to understand the person next to me, not to “put up” with them, but to say, “Yeah, cool. You can believe that and do it your way. It doesn’t interfere with me, and maybe I could even learn something from it.” Wouldn’t you rather look at another religion or belief from that point of view?
Also, changing the National Day of Prayer seems quite narrow-minded to me on some levels. I have no idea what the people who sent me the invitation to sign this particular petition believe. However, I have known and interacted with many people who protest the National Day of Prayer, and the majority of them are opposed to Christians forcing us to pray to Jesus and their God.
Um, sorry, but in a National Day of Prayer, you can pray to any God, Goddess, Guide, Spiritual Being, Higher Power, or the Universe. You can pray to your own Inner Self for wisdom if you’d like. Or you can just send out a little magic and ask for peace on Earth. A National Day of Prayer is not about any one particular religion (even if a particular religion tries to claim it). It is about prayer and good will, and positive thoughts. And we could all use a little more of that in this World.
So, no, I won’t be signing any petition about this. And no, I will not “tolerate” someone else’s religion or beliefs. Because I don’t have to. I understand that what they do and what I do, and what they believe and what I believe are pretty much the same thing anyway.
Oh, and that Coexist picture at the top of the page? I’ve never been overly fond of it. I finally found one I like much, much better:
So whatever you are celebrating this Winter Season, go ahead and celebrate with your neighbor, your friends, and family. Don’t just “tolerate” them, learn to love and respect them, too.
Love, Blessings, and all that jazz,
Amethyst Mahoney
Comments
22 responses to “National Day of Religious Tolerance? No, Thank You.”
I wholehearthedly agree. Respect is a lot better than tolerance. Respect that each persons spiritual path is different. There’s no need for tolerance.
Thanks, Linda. “There’s no need for tolerance.” I love that! You’re right, if we would all respect and try to understand one another, we wouldn’t try to focus on “tolerating” others. 🙂
I shared this everywhere I could. You stated this so well. Thanks
Thanks, Anna! I wish everyone would drop the “Tolerance” and see things in a different light. 🙂
Agree with you from the heart here Amethyst. Respect and understanding are the keys to peace. I always find it so interesting to ask folks who defend their beliefs at the expense of others to share what is the same about their beliefs. Sometimes it softens views at least. 🙂 Well said and good on you for thinking rather than just following.
Thanks, Bonnie. Love your idea to ask people to think about what’s the same about their beliefs. Sometimes you have to provide a little info on that, though.
Trust me on this – I am an ex-fundamentalist, remember? 🙂
Very insightful. This definitely seems to be a hot topic this time of year with what to properly say to people in regards to the holidays. I share that you should say whatever it is you feel comfortable saying. As an atheist, when someone says to me Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, God Bless You, etc… I take it as I believe it is meant to be, a wish for my wellness and happiness. I don’t take it as an indication that they do not respect my beliefs or are forcing theirs upon me.
I like the idea of Respect better than Coexist also. I’m not sure I’ve heard that one before.
Definitely, Nicole. How is someone wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Joyful Yule, or a Happy Hannukah somehow an impeachment of your religious rights (as many people seem to take it)? Please keep your undies out of a wad and have a better Winter Holiday Season!
Amen, sista! I couldn’t have said it better myself. There are things you just have to tolerate – like the weather, when it is bad, and things you have to respect, like another person’s beliefs, sexual orientation, etc, etc. This world would be a better place if people learned to tolerate a little less, and respect a little more. I have never really liked the word “tolerate” either. It even sounds WRONG!
I love your POV on this. Why should we tolerate people? That gets us no where in in the end can make us resentful for having to ‘put up’ with them. Learning to respect each other is much better dispite your religion, political affiliation, sex, sexual orentation etc.
Great post, Amethyst! I agree with you whole-heartedly. Coming from India, where we have a long history of respect for all religions, I can truly appreciate this! You rock, sistah! ♥
The only reason Hinduism is the oldest currently-practiced religion is because of this, Corinne!
Tolerance is often code for “Make everything as neutral (bland) as possible so no one will be offended.”
Very true. You know what I remember from way back in the 80’s? People had opinions, and nobody much cared!
great post! thank you for all that you are!
p.s. i like ‘coexist’, i also like ‘respect’ but that is kind of subjective. there are people whose values i don’t agree with, i might not actually respect them but i can coexist with them …
Linda, “Respect” isn’t the right word, either, but I think it’s getting closer. This has been my own personal koan for the past few years. I can’t quite figure out what the answer should be (yet!). I’ve thought of things such as “Togetherness,” “We are One,” “All the Same,” “Juntos” and others. Even, Hope, Peace, and Love don’t come close. I do have an idea for a non-word picture I want to make soon that comes the closest. I can’y tell if it’s our limited vocabulary or that I just haven’t figured out the answer yet!
I endorse your thoughts completely. Sometimes by tolerance, we are actually trying to say that even if I don’t approve of what you are doing, I will put up with it. I like the way your mind works.
Highly appreciated.
Joy always,
Susan
Thanks, Susan. Some people took this to mean that if someone was seriously acting out in their religion, they aren’t going to respect it. Look, if someone is telling you that you should die because you don’t believe what they believe, I wouldn’t respect OR tolerate it. I wouldn’t tolerate people who bomb others or murder others in the name of their particular god. I think some people just want to gripe no matter what. 🙂
Awesome and well written post. The petition you mentioned only succeeds in pointing out differences instead of promoting understanding and acceptance. I agree 100% in mutual respect of beliefs and know that in my 50 years I have learned much by keeping an open mind and spirit. Kudos to you for insight!
Thanks, Tami. I agree. Some people I know (and have heard from since I posted this) continue to say that they want a National Day of Religious Tolerance because the Christians are the ones who continue to push for a National Day of Prayer. They are so bitter about what the Christians have done to them, that they can’t see how to come together in a bigger picture or how to be the bigger person. Well, boo-hoo. If you don’t like something because a group you hate came up with it, I really don’t know what to tell you. Okay, maybe that’s mean, but I haven’t finished my morning coffee yet. 🙂
Ooooh, you really said it with this post Amethyst!
(I’m singing Aretha’s “Respect” song and dancing by the way) 🙂
“Religious tolerance” – isn’t that some sort of oxymoron or something anyway?? LOL
I love the way you articulated your point. I’d much rather respect and understand than just tolerate. I also look at it from an emotional level – when I just tolerate something, what feelings do I have? Certainly not a genuine positive one. However, when I respect someone or something, there’s a calm, loving, positive energy associated with it, which is the place I’d rather be in.
Why is this not “common” sense??? I wish I could magically hold you up for the whole world to see AND make them understand this tidbit of information that could in turn result in all of us being much, much better humans and relate in a marvelous way.
Ok, I’ll get out off of “Kesha’s Fantasy Island” for a minute and come back to reality 😉
~Kesha
Thanks, Kesha. I was worried about writing this post, but it’s gotten so much response, I’m glad I did. Still, people keep talking about Religious Tolerance and how “great it is.” /sigh