08 July 2012 - On Tolerance

Details
Category: Sermons
Written by Ren Sydrick

 

The Oxford English Dictionary defines tolerance as: the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with.

In my days at school, tolerance was preached on endlessly. My young mind was instructed by countless teachers to not make fun of anyone else because of who or what they are, even if I happen to think they’re ridiculous.

But there is a problem with this approach. By keeping those thoughts to myself, I may have spared someone else’s feelings, but I also developed a growing pool of resentment inside myself. Tolerance introduces tension in any relationship, be it the connection between two people or two nations.

The unspoken can be just as detrimental as the words that are spoken. There is a  boiling point to this approach, and we find our own world history riddled with crusades and religious wars birthed from the tension of supposed tolerance.

So what is religious tolerance but an insincere mask to hide our dislike for another’s beliefs?

As Jedi, we have learned to embrace the similarities between faiths, and Jedi of all background religions are able to come together and create the community we see here today. A Christian Jedi and Pagan Jedi don’t frustratedly dispute the differences in their beliefs, but rather embrace the common threads that string them together.

The problem may arise elsewhere, however, when Jedi and non-Jedi debate the legitimacy of the others belief system. A non-Jedi may laugh in the face of Jediism, and a Jedi may snicker at a non-Jedi’s lack of understanding. And though everyone may bite their tongues, the tension builds itself into a barrier between interpersonal relations.

So don’t tolerate anyone. That is not a mutually beneficial way to coexist. We should get to know each other, be civilized but honest. Humanity has learned to tolerate others, to peacefully ignore one another and hope neither side gets fed up with the farce. 

Instead, we ought to learn about each other. Witness how the same concepts can be given alternative names which once peeled away reveal a rather familiar concept. If we shed our ‘tolerance,’ we might just find us staring at a reflection of ourselves. Put any name on a belief: religion, politics, science…they’re all just another label for our attempts at understanding some Universal Truth.

Some call it God, others call it the Tao, some just call it Truth, and others just don’t have a name for it at all. We’re all just seeking to understand, be it the meaning of life or what our individual purpose is in this world. We all seek this Universal Truth by whatever name we deem fit.

Peel away the layers and we’re all sporting the same core quest. And you certainly don’t “tolerate” your own beliefs…you live them!

A Muslim and an Atheist are both on the same journey, just with different names and different methods of getting there. Just because a Muslin prays five times a day facing Mecca does not make that path any more or less legitimate than an Atheist who might devote their life to scientific discovery, ‘praying’ to the cells under the microscope to reveal something grand.

It’s not a race, and it’s not a competition. Everyone wins, and everyone gets to decide exactly how they go about it.

So don’t tolerate your fellow human beings. Give them a cheerful wave and a good listen, and keep on truckin’.

Comments   

 
#1 Sapadu 2012-07-11 02:01
'Ugg.' Kendalina cheered, as though agreeing, but more from a listless 'Been there, done that' motivation.

'I guess now might be a moment to bring up what you just said to your mom?' Tom suggested. Jack shook her head.

"The retreat's in two days -- if anyone wants to talk there, I'll say it to them, face to face."
 
 
#2 Learn_To_Know 2012-07-11 06:14
Excellent sermon Ace and so true; I was just arguing with a Christian at work the other day about tolerance; ironic.

I think I could use some deep reflection on this topic. Thanks for talking about it.
 
 
#3 Adder 2012-07-11 06:45
Its interesting because in engineering a tolerance is like a measurement of accuracy or proximity. A good wikipedia quote would be;

"A tolerance is the limit of acceptable unintended deviation from a nominal or theoretical dimension."

Very interesting how that tie's with your Sermon, thanks!!
 
 
#4 Jestor 2012-07-11 15:25
Acceptance, not tolerence...

Thanks Ace...
 
 
#5 Mark Anjuu 2012-07-11 16:47
This reminds me of a discussion that was held recently in the forum (about Jedi healers). There were vocal opinions on both sides of a debate and some people wanted us to all just be quiet and accept that there cannot be an agreement. But that missed the point - the forum is not a place for always finding a compromise but to air our opinions, defend or expound them if necessary, and then learning from each perspective.

GM Jon once said that the Jediism we practise here at TOTJO is not just based on bonding through our similarities but of also recognising our differences and being able to co-exist anyway. Wise words indeed!

Great sermon, Ace! I only wish I had been around to witness it being delivered in person :)
 
 
+1 #6 Phortis Nespin 2012-07-12 02:01
This is something I have been trying to relay to so many people over the years.

To tolerate means to put up with.

I do not tolerate anyone...

I learn about them, understand our differences, and embrace them through respect and compassion.

Great Sermon Ace!
 
 
#7 Reliah 2012-07-12 20:00
This is a wonderful sermon, Ace! You did beautifully with it live as well!
:-)
Thank you.
 
 
#8 Omni 2012-07-14 04:50
Very nice. We are all on different paths traveling at different speeds in different directions. And all those paths lead to the same place. Not any one person is more or less than another because they are at a different place along their path.

As Jestor mentioned, acceptance is key. Understanding that it is ok for others to not have our beliefs is a major step forward in our own journey.

Thank you Ace for your teachings.
 
 
#9 Jackofalltrades 2012-07-16 09:19
Some even go so far as to say we should "agree to differ"... it's just laughable...
 
 
#10 K3rn3l_Kl1nk 2012-09-02 23:33
I totally agree with your opinion as a person who works to integrate acceptance into my personality to the maximum extent. But I admit that I have been using the word tolerance incorrectly to indicate my acceptance of things. Tolerance assumes our position is RIGHT and theirs is WRONG. But, as you pointed out very eloquently above, we are all RIGHT and on the same journey.

MTFBWY-A
 
Latest Posts Comments Articles
    • Nature of "the Force" (Light/Dark dicoto... (Last post by Azrael)
    • Quote: I know that there are those categories in stating this will of the light side and this is the will of the dark side. What I have learned that is sometimes is not light or dark. There is only power, and the way that one preserves what is being presented to them. It is also based on one’s point of view and how one is taught and brought up. One can be taught to hate a particular religion because their belief is the only one that is right, while one is taught growing up to except all others beliefs as their own. However, I do believe that there is a philosophical difference in beliefs that the biggest major miss due to they are closed minded and not open to others point of view. This is largely true. As i said earlier, as far as i'm aware, having read heavily into 'The Force' as the concept exists is Star Wars and also Taoism, which it is loosely based on to an extent there is just 'The Force.' The Force however is made of two opposing yet complementary energies, 'Light' and 'Dark.' Names which, sadly, carry very polarised and perhaps negative connotations. Depending on how one is raised one might see one side of the spectrum more clearly than the other. The Jedi being able to see the Light more clearly thanks to their focus on discipline, inner peace and calm while he Sith see the Dark more clearly, relying more on their raw emotion and passion. This draws on my use of the colour purple earlier. Jedi would see the blue aspect of purple more clearly while Sith would see the red. Those without any kind of upbringing or strong adherence to either of these philosophies would see only the 'grey areas' or in this case, simply purple; seeing neither Light or Dark.
    • Zanthan's Blog (Last post by Zanthan Storm)
    • I have been a healer for years. For as long as I can remember I have sought to help people. As a child I wanted to be a storm chaser, a spy, a doctor and for a time a priest. After a car accident involving a family member. I vowed to find a way to learn to save lives. To happen apon those on the brink and have the skills and abilities needed to reach out and return them to this life. This was a childs dream. However, those are the ones that motivate us the most. I went through a program in my high school called OEC (Opportunities in Emergency Care), I was trained as an EMT in high school. I worked a few jobs as an EMT, even as a Medical Officer, but soon I started working at a Trauma Center. I have been here for 9 years, I still volunteer my time on some services. However, I have found that the people in the field and in the ER have colored my experiences. Given me a vision of life that at times can bring an indescribable amount of joy, and equally indescribable pain and at times fear. That is my light, courage in the face of fear. Brought forth by pure will, by conviction and by the knowledge that what I do may be thankless at times, but I watch the differences I make happen. That... That lets me sleep very well at night.
    • Addiction to the perception of power (Last post by MurMur)
    • One should never felt guilt about what they have done. Why? Mainly due to the fact that one had already made the choice, even if they do not realize that they have. We all make choices to do this or do that. We have to understand ‘why’ we have made that choice, no matter what it is.
    • How Many Heads Do You Have? (Last post by MurMur)
    • There is and can be a lot of confusion in what has been stated. There is a conscience mind and the subconscious mind. However, there are theories that stated differently. We have our own mind, and there are those alien thoughts that come at us. Those thoughts when one is attempting to be silent in the mind like in meditation, and thoughts keep crashing against us like waves against a shore. We have a mind of our own, and then there is the rational mind that is not ours that always bombards us in ways that do not make sense. That is why that we should follow our ‘gut instincts.’ Sometimes it can be right, and other times it can be off. Depending on one’s point of view.
    • My Current Absence (V-Tog) (Last post by Alexandre Orion)
    • All things considered, given the on-line nature of our community, we all seem to fade in and out from time to time. And given the nature of the rest of 'hyper-reality' in which we move, the fading out and in of even that, perhaps from (t)here to another (t)here perhaps, in time and on time ... :whistle: A lot of it comes down to doing what we have to do, where we have to do it - in any 'here', on-line, in-line, as true representations or representations of truth - telling tales to ourselves in, of and on the information super-highway or the metaphysical motorway. :silly: Congratulations on your new flat, V ! Sort your internet amongst the sweaters and socks, type it all out in the tea-towels ... :cheer: When you get back in we'll be having a party. ;)
    • Actual Churches? (Last post by MtnDave303)
    • Emailed the people that give land grants on the Baca, no word yet. Heading down to my property this weekend to dig out the foundation. Excitingggg
    • What Are You Listening To Right Now? (Last post by Arcade)
    • Two bands that I don't typically listen to, but I like the Renholdër remixes. [video] Linkin Park - Blackout (Renholdër Remix) [video] Evanescence - Made of Stone (Renholdër Remix)
    • Political persecution (Last post by ren)
    • Quote: I'm not worried about being extradited. You should be. When they want something (or someone), they get it. No asylum status is going to protect you if you're in a country that does't have the guts to say "screw you".
    • The Sith Academy! (Last post by Alaaric Jensen)
    • Yes RyuJin well said. I do believe that if they had any real power they would not be so open about themselves in the way that they are. They seem to allow their darkest secrets to unfold like a book. When they speak they do not sound confident. By all appearances they seem to be living out a fantasy but I never assume when I do not know. That is the best policy in my opinion. I am focusing my use of energy working and magic to heal. I want to create and not destroy. I believe that it is a waste of effort to use your abilities, or talents, whatever they may be, to hurt others. When I look at the philosophy of the Sith Academy, and then look at what my philosophy was before, I see that they are similar in essence, but they are both truly pointless. What is the purpose of domination? Conquest of that which already exists, to convert all of reality into your own image, it is a waste of time. What happens when, theoretically, all reality is under your control? Everything would conform with everything else. Everything would be the same but you are at a dead end. Where do you go from there? If you have nothing left to conquer or destroy then your motives have been exhausted. You no longer have a purpose. Creation however, is limitless, and there is no end to creating. All things that are created in this dimension must decay however, but more is created in place of what has departed, and I believe that most life reincarnates. Those who live only for domination or destruction lead an empty life. By remembering that emptiness I am inspired to keep struggling against my own temptations to fall back into that old life of self destruction.
    • Charged With Felony For Lesbian Relationship (Last post by ren)
    • May have nothing to do with homosexuality. 18 year old "going out" with a 15 year old is paedophilia: An adult engaging in sexual acts with a child (someone under 16). Some parents are going to be cool with it, gay or hetero, some aren't. Either way, if the law says it isn't cool, don't complain when you get caught. Not sure why they call it "battery" though ?
    • Seems Quiet Around Here? (Last post by meganrtaylor)
    • Rickie the Grey Quote: If I over think intuition it get's jumbled. I completely agree. Once you start to think about your intuition, you immediately over think your intuition. Always go with your gut. Once I learned to trust my intuition, instinct, gut, whatever you want to call it, I was able to become a much better medic. The ability to overcome the egos need to control instinct is a very helpful tool in your Jedi toolbox.
    • Opinion on an Orwell quote (Last post by Whyte Horse)
    • Part of the double-speak paradigm is hiding the underlying ideology and making slogans that nobody can disagree with because it doesn't mean anything. It's like "support our troops"... yeah everyone supports our troops... try saying "support our war" and see what happens.

We have 213 visitors, one guest and 7 members online (4  are in chat): Daniel L., Jestor, ren, Wescli Wardest, avner, MCSH, sidvkili, Schreiber.

Learning

Community

Help

About Us

Follow Us