"Tolerance"

I love this word! I love the meaning of this word................

A disposition toward or capacity for allowing or respecting the beliefs or behavior of others when these differ from ones own.

Are we tolerant? Is this country tolerant? Hmmmm, yes and no.

We tolerate gays. This should be so.

We tolerate skinheads. This also should be so.

We tolerate corrupt and morally bankrupt politicians. Should this be so? I don't think so! We send a strong message by re-electing these politicians. In essence we're saying their behavior is acceptable.

I wouldn't allow my children to behave in this manner. Would you?
Are we to expect more from our children than our leaders?

We tolerate art that denigrates religion. Should this be so? Not when it's promoted by our taxes. No one asked me if I wanted to pay for a manger of pigs dressed as the Holy Family. (Covered in body waste.)

We tolerate our countries flag being burned or dragged through the streets. Should this be so? Is the need for someone to show disrespect for our flag and country greater than the need of all the Americans who died honoring this same flag?

We tolerate many religions. This should be so.
Yet, a child bends his head in silent prayer, in a school cafeteria and is expelled from that school.
Where is the tolerance for this child?
A radio station plays a modern religious song and is threatened with the loss of their license. When did religion become a crime?

We as a people tolerate many things we personally don't agree with.
This should be so.

Should tolerance be all-inclusive? Should we tolerate bias? Hate crimes, sex crimes, etc.

Who should determine what we should and should not be tolerant of?

Ah, tolerance, I still love you. I still believe in respecting the beliefs and behavior of others, even when they differ from my own.

But my dear tolerance, I think you need a sprinkling of common sense and a respect for my beliefs.

If I find something offensive, must I tolerate it for tolerance sake?
I don't think so, if that where the case, where would it end?

What do you think?

Anyone wishing to respond to this article, can do so here:- Jinny