Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tolerance- Religious, otherwise

Definitions

Tolerance is the allowance of an event to occur or a situation to exist.

Tolerance is the allowance of an event to occur or a situation to exist.

Limits of Tolerance

Tolerance and duty must never collide for the Christian. Tolerance can be and must be afforded in some circumstance, but can never be allowed and must never compromise the salvation of souls, or if afforded, the institutions of truth and Justice. Tolerance for certain things, however- such as the choice to with informed conscience, choose or reject grace, is given.

The Catholic View of tolerance- tolerance or intolerance, depending on the circumstance can both be either correct or incorrect. In their extremes- both can be evil. Tolerance of evil can itself be intrinsically evil- such as conniving. Intolerance can also be evil, as shown in the Pharisees naming Jesus the “friend of sinners”.
Tolerance can never be given in opposition to her mandate or duty to God (James chapter 4 verse 4). It may neither water down beyond meaning, the truth, nor hault in the telling of the gospel as it is, for merely human kindness. Tolerance must be based on love, which acts in obedience to the commands of God(I John 3), and cannot be purely out of fear.
Three types of tolerance

-theoretical dogmatic tolerance

- Practical civic tolerance

- Public political tolerance

Theoretical dogmatic tolerance

Tolerance of another’s error, because it is a mistake, and not an intentional harm against truth, or other factors. This is acceptance of the person beneficial.

Practical civic tolerance

“Love the sinner, not the sin”

-Acceptance and charity towards the sinner despite his fault. This does not mean not combating his error, or the consequences of his sin. It does not mean that retribution is not given should the case require such.

Public political tolerance

Tolerance given by states to religions, out of respect of equality.

Some manifestations of both beneifical and unbeneficial tolerance

Universal Religious Toleration- Allowance of beliefs contrary to what one considers to be truth- out of respect for the idea that religion, unlike certain aspects of morality is a choice which should be free from absolute coercion, or forceful conversion. This is an example of charity, and the acceptance of a person despite their faults.
Personal Religious Toleration- Toleration of the beliefs of others, without surrender of one’s own belief, in such a way as to respect their human person, and dignity. This should not extend to the allowance of open scandal, nor the allowance of diabolic, or hateful, or bigotrous views to be stated as loudly, or widely as the religion, or peoples or individuals in question should choose, as this damages the choice of others.
The tolerance of evils or damaging views contrary to truth, do to an inability to correct them.
The incorrect unwillingness to prevent evil.
Toleration of the views and beliefs of others out of respect for those following such religion, but not endorsement of their actions, or views- either due to the conscience of others and action of charity, or due to unwarranted and incorrect kindness.
Universal Religious Tolerance

This is an example of charity, and the acceptance of a person despite their faults.Tolerance of the choice of whether or not to become Christian, is both acceptable, beneficial, and in some cases demanded, however- should one claim to be Christian, this same person must submit to some core doctrines. This form of tolerance does not extend to allowing such persons to coerce others against religion, nor does it extend to only informing others of what fits their world view, or comfort zone. It does however demand the treating of other religions, especially Abrahamic Religions, with respect. As the Apostle Paul states in rebuke of some -”do you steal from temples?”. This respect is again shown in that the Christian must not eat foods dedicated to idols- out of respect for the conscience of those who could fall from such. Paul also shows this in becoming like the Gentiles among the gentiles and like the Jews among the Jews- that they may be saved, but in this, does not disobey the Law of Liberty. This tolerance does not extend to allowing grave, unjust harm to others, nor does it demand that the gospel not be preached, just the contrary. Rather- it demands degrees of respect of fellow human persons, as children of God, despite their private beliefs. In this, charity is shown, yet the example of the church in ecumenical works shows that this is best done in respect, humility, and truth. Humbly sharing the truth in love, without rejecting aspects of the truth that exist also outside of the fullness, nor treating non-Christians as lesser beings. This does not mean the watering down of Catholic truth for the desires of others, nor does this mean that God does not later judge all for their deeds on earth and their acceptance or rejection of church and gospel (Luke chapter 10 verse 16).


Personal Religious Toleration

Neither the body of the Holy Catholic Church, nor her members, may in any way coerce another into Christianity, via force, at the same end, the Christian must uphold his own faith, even publicly- “Should you accept me in front of men, I will accept you in front of the angels of God, but if you reject me in front of men, I will reject you in front of the angels of God” Jesus Of Nazareth(Luke 12 verses 8 and 9). The Christian’s life, and words, must testify as to the nature of God, and his truth. This does not afford others the opportunity to appose the church’s madate, nor allow foir these people to prevent justice and truth.


The tolerance of evils or damaging views contrary to truth, do to an inability to correct them

This is considered more as patience as any other thing. It is prudent action in not acting in unbeneficial ways. This toleration is acceptable (I Corinthians 13 verse 4), so far as it does not lend to the extreme of simple unwillingness to act.


The incorrect unwillingness to prevent evil

Should it be in the power of one to prevent evil, or the harm of souls, against scandal, or other, even in cases physical harm, and one should not act, this inaction is not acceptable. It contradicts love of neighbor, and risks punishment (James chapter 4 verse 4; “the good man who gives in to evil is like a muddy well” Proverbs) and testimony contrary to justice (”love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth” I Corinthians 13 verse 6).


Toleration of the views and beliefs of others out of respect for those following such religion, but not endorsement of their actions, or views- either due to the conscience of others and action of charity, or due to unwarranted and incorrect kindness.

Christians are obligated to treat every other person as another self. This extends to respecting their choice of religion, but does not mean that one is obligated to endorse incorrect views, or actions. This does not mean that one should allow evil, scandal or horrendous action to occur, but is rather a respect of the private beliefs of others, and treatment of such persons with the respect they are due, as fellow creations of God.The administration of Tolerance must never extend to allowing unjust harm to others within one’s own domain and ability to prevent such. Toleration, cannot contradict justice, but must be subject to the demands of love. Kindness to oppressors, can be cruelty to the oppressed, and result in harsh judgment (see James chapter 4 verse 4).


Intolerance against Catholics

Jesus noted that his followers would be persecuted. John, in I John said that Christians should not be surprised if they are hated, because they are Christian. It is noted that Christians are persecuted because of their inheritance. This is to be taken with Jesus’ statement in mind - “blessed are you when people persecute you”, and demonstrates that Christianity is in fact true. This in that such persecution is both illogical, and constant since the time of Christ against the church, and continues in almost every country. This however does not justify persecution, which should be apposed, and fought as best as possible in legitimate areas.


A place for Catholics to show intolerance

The Christian is not forced, nor in some cases permitted to tolerate certain actions of others. These include certain actions that harm the body of the church, cause scandal, or unjustly harm those who are innocent of crime. One example of this, is the right of the church to combat heresy within the church. ”But such intolerance is essential to all that is, or moves, or lives, for tolerance of destructive elements within the organism amounts to suicide.”

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm

Verses of note

Luke Chapter 16 Wrong use of goods, and power given to one’s self.

Luke Chapter 10 Rejection of church is punished.

James chapter 4 verse 4 Tolerance must never contradict the demands of love.

I Corinthians Chapter 13 All action must be done in love.

Resources used

Zenit news

http://www.zenit.org/article-19609?l=english


Catholic Online

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=42&bible_chapter=10

http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5201


NewAdvent

http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk016.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1co013.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14763a.htm


Retrieved from

http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/27/tolerance-religious-otherwise/

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