It is a curious thing, tolerance. It isn\u2019t in the list of seven virtues. It doesn\u2019t make the list of the fruits of the Spirit. It doesn\u2019t make the Ten Commandments. As a word, it is used only one time in the entire New Testament, and then only for God\u2019s tolerance of us as human beings!<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s make one thing clear: practicing the virtue of tolerance does not mean always agreeing with other people. Yet too often many of us spend much of our time evaluating other opinions or viewpoints, eventually labeling anyone who disagrees with our opinions as intolerant. Now this is utter nonsense! Tolerance is the virtue of extending courtesy and respect when we don\u2019t agree.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the balance to seek: trying to remain tolerant, when not in agreement. Any behavior that insists on agreement or lacks respect, courtesy, and openness in disagreement, is bound to get us into trouble. And as Voltaire ruefully observed, \u201cOf all religions, Christianity is without a doubt the one that should inspire tolerance most, although, up to now, the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n