How to be more tolerant?

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Tolerance means being respectful of the belief systems or practices of others, both as an individual and as a culture. The term tolerance is often applied in religion or society to understand that others may have different belief systems or look different. Indeed, governments such as the United States, however imperfect, were founded on the concept of tolerance, especially on the ability to freely practice different religions.

Understanding the culture or practices of others can help a person who feels they are not tolerant enough. This does not mean that one should get to the point of practicing the same way as others. Anyone who wishes to become more tolerant of a homosexual lifestyle must not become homosexual. Membership of organizations such as PFLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays can help promote tolerance and empathy.

In 30 Days, a documentary/reality show created by Morgan Spurlock, Spurlock took people from different backgrounds and immersed them for 30 days in a very different culture. One episode was particularly effective when a fundamentalist Christian agreed to live with an Islamic family for 30 days.

Most interestingly, the Christian was concerned about praying with Muslims, as he felt he would be praying to the wrong God. He didn’t know that Islam derives from the Judeo-Christian tradition and that Muslims worship the same God, albeit with some differences in interpretation.

So knowing a practice to become more tolerant can make you aware of the similarities, as well as the differences. In the case of the person trying to become more tolerant of homosexuality, being willing to befriend someone who is gay may help.

Being more tolerant is often a daunting job for people with a rigid belief structure. In some cases, people believe that it is morally wrong to tolerate behavior they define as sinful. However, even in large religious structures such as Roman Catholicism, where active homosexual behavior is considered sinful, parishioners are asked to separate the “sin from the sinner.”
Thus Catholics and many other religious groups are exhorted to love all people, regardless of their behavior. This can produce more tolerant behavior in open-minded people, but can be difficult to achieve in people who loathe a certain behavior.
You don’t have to abandon your religious beliefs to become more tolerant. Often being more tolerant means accepting that other people have to find their own ways and judge based on their own view of what is right.

Being more tolerant ultimately boils down to deciding to let other people make their own mistakes, as you define them, and live their own lives. It also implies respect for people of all religions and races. Tolerance is promoted by understanding similarities and differences and inhibited by refusing to express empathy. Learning, one of our greatest assets, helps people become more tolerant and can help you be less judgmental.

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