Religious Tolerance: what it is?
“Tolerance, as we well know, is neither built into our behavior, in the way that physiological needs like hunger and thirst are, nor a universal value practiced by everyone. As the basis of democratic culture, in which truth is relative and differences are legitimate, tolerance is incompatible with totalitarian regimes, which advocate a single belief system. And, yet, in a world that aspires to peace and where democracy is on the rise, it is still not a universal fact. On the contrary, we are witnessing a strong resurgence of casteism, racism, xenophobia, extreme forms of nationalism, religious fanaticism, and all kinds of social exclusion and discrimination”.
Tolerance is the advantage of a cultured age. It helps us to put up with those who have diverse traditions and thoughts, distinct philosophies and point of views. Our ability to tolerate the opinion or behavior of other people is the key for living a peaceful life. If we practice patience in our every actions and deed, speech and behavior, it would lead to peace.
By ‘Religious Tolerance’ we do not mean accepting all religious beliefs as equal and true. We define the term as valuing religious freedom, valuing religious diversity, and exhibiting opposition to discrimination against any religion or faith. Religious tolerance is not religious indifference. It means to refrain from discriminating against others who follow a different religious path. Religious tolerance is essential to a peaceful future. History shows that people tend to feel more secure among those of similar cultural and religious views and traits. In this sense, “foreigners” represent a threat simply because they are different. However, the real threat may stem from one’s inherent fear of change or a need to expand one’s own understanding of the world. Religious tolerance invites us to live peacefully with people of difference – or even opposing – beliefs, accepting one another despite divergent views.
Tolerance is a universal law – intolerance is the first sign of an inadequate education….” Tolerance is a harmony in difference. UNESCO says, “Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human”. Our future may very well depend upon our ability to coexist peacefully with people of other faiths – people who live just around the corner, no longer across a border or on the other side of an ocean.
If we believe that our future rests upon our ability to live together in peace, then our first responsibility is to look within ourselves at what stands in the way of that. Then, with the support of others, we make the choice to grow. This is the most difficult work, which is why it is often overlooked or even ignored. It is in this area, Just Indians plays a constructive role.