Religious tolerance is a politically charged concept. Political correctness usually dictates that all religions should be tolerated. However, for many people, the idea of accepting all religions is a point of contention because they argue that not all systems of belief are worthy of toleration.
What Exactly Does Religious Tolerance Mean?
In its broadest sense, religious tolerance means recognition and open-mindedness towards various religious beliefs.
ReligiousTolerance.org makes an important point about the definition of religious tolerance, which the site defines as “allowing followers of other religions to follow their spiritual beliefs without oppression or discrimination... Tolerance may not necessarily extend beyond religious beliefs to include some religious actions – particularly those that harm or harass others.”
The tolerance website spotlights the murky gray area in the acceptance of religions and hints at a fundamental dilemma – beliefs and actions of religions are often difficult to differentiate and separate.
Examples of Difficult Religion Toleration Issues
There are many continuing in-the-news topics that underscore the difficulty people are having figuring out how to accept religions and struggling with knowing if intolerance of some religions is warranted in certain circumstances. The following highlight some of the difficulties.
Islam Tolerance and Intolerance
In 2010, the Ground Zero Mosque controversy in New York City was one of the most reported-on news stories. Some Americans feel that building an Islamic center so near to the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks is insensitive and should be stopped. Other Americans point out that the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion is a paramount American value and, accordingly, support the construction of the Muslim center.
During this same period, Europeans have struggled with the question of Islam tolerance on the continent. The Swiss passed a ban on the building of minarets on mosques, and the French passed a ban on Muslim women’s wearing of the burqa.
Ban supporters argue that Islam is a radical religion that condones terrorism and threatens Europeans’ identity, while opponents counter that the bans are clear evidence of religious persecution and intolerance.
Conservative and Liberal Christianity
Currently, one of the most pronounced splits in Christianity is over conservative vs. liberal practices. Some of the most controversial topics being debated have to do with women’s place in the leadership of the church and the acceptance of gays in the church.
Conservative and liberal Christian denominations have clashed over beliefs and practices. In many progressive churches, women have made headway in becoming active leaders in congregations and homosexual members have been accepted and embraced. See article Rev. Barbie Promotes Women Leaders in Episcopal Church for further reading on this topic.
Many conservative churches continue to fight against what they see as sinful and misguided encroachments on traditional religious beliefs and values. See article the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Opposition to Gay Marriage and Pro-Choice Catholic Politicians Clash with Roman Catholic Church for examples.
Atheists vs. Believers
Some atheists and others who do not subscribe to a particular religion bring into question whether religions, in fact, deserve tolerance. They point to the atrocities done in the name of religion, including discrimination and persecution against people outside of particular faiths, and argue that society would be better off without religion.
Some non-believers point out that religious tolerance is unwarranted and undeserved since examples of religious intolerance throughout history and today abound. See article Bible, Quran, and Book of Mormon Swap for Porn and blog post Are Atheists Angry? to read about atheist activism against religions.
The Ideal of Tolerating Religions
Religious tolerance is an ideal of many societies, but in practice many people find that they actually do not agree with the concept. The reasons for their misgivings about tolerating different belief systems are varied. Some are opposed to religion toleration because they do not agree with the morals and values of particular belief systems and believe that certain religions are corrupting society. Others view some religions as intolerant and as promoting hateful practices and thus unworthy of toleration.
In short, the meaning and value of religious tolerance and open-mindedness toward different belief systems is different for different people and depends on point of view. For an interesting illustration of this point, see conservative blogger Kurt Schlichter's post titled “Coexist?”: You First criticizing the popularity of the coexist bumper sticker.
Sources:
BigPeace.com, “Coexist?”: You First. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
ReligiousTolerance.org, Religious Tolerance and Cooperation. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
Aimee Larsen Stoddard - Aimee is a professional writer/editor. She has a BA in English and is currently completing an MS in Theology.
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