The Need for Tolerance

There are many things that need to be revealed to man. Chief among them is the absolute need for tolerance. There is little acceptance of this absolute necessity in many parts of the world today. All about you, you see the ravages that intolerance produces. You see brother set against brother in the name of patriotism or religious fervor. Both are destructive when combined with a failure to accept the beliefs of others as valid and permissible.

It behooves man to take steps to correct this error. First, he must look into his own heart. It is easy to overlook this character flaw in oneself. It is simple to accept without thinking prejudices which are so inborn as to seem natural and based on fact. It is easy to become so self- satisfied that the errors of judgment become a matter of habit. There is great need for each individual to examine his beliefs closely and to discard those which are prejudicial in any way. Beyond this he must guard against any action which reflects intolerance. His words must reflect acceptance of all those beliefs which differ from his own. Finally, the individual must at all times seek to curb intolerance in those about him. He must seek to persuade others of the destructive effect of such intolerance. He must by his example lead others into an awareness of the absolute necessity of acceptance of the beliefs and customs of others; no matter how different or even repugnant they seem to him.

Those in authority have an even greater responsibility, one which is all too often neglected and ignored. Those in a position to command the respect of others should at all times be aware of their power and use it for the common good. In all cases the common good is served by an open hearted acceptance of all God's creatures and of all the differences which may exist among them. Never should a leader attempt to bolster his popularity or his power by appealing to the baser instincts among his followers. All too often this temptation proves irresistible. It is all too easy to appeal to prejudice, to flatter and cajole by telling men that they are superior to their brothers and neighbors and that therefore their superiority entitles them to intolerance. Man, by nature seeks security, and all too often finds it in the kinds of superiority that breed intolerance.

In all areas of the world today intolerance exacts its price. In all areas of life man must as an individual change this emotional crippling. Governments and religious organizations must recognize the dangers inherent in intolerance. A look at the past is convincing. A look at the present is convincing. Let man assure himself and generations to follow that a look to the future demands a world free of the corrosive influence of intolerance.