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Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

Tolerance By Any Other Definition

I enjoy browsing papers posted to the Social Science Research Network. Recently I read Fighting the New Wars of Religion: The Need for a Tolerant First Amendment by Leslie C. Griffin of the University of Houston Law Center, posted June 30, 2011. She discusses tolerance expressed in words and actions by American religious groups in the public square, and criticizes religious groups for weilding the bully pulpit as well as the government, which sometimes enables the beatings. She deals with the fact that some laws are made based on religious values, and those values more often than not undermine the religious liberty of those who do not share the religious values upon which the laws are based.

The paper is a provoking read. I was touched by the following excerpt about the exercise of tolerance:

Without a basis in toleration, free exercise may become the exercise of religious truth in a coercive manner. Without toleration, free exercise may limit liberty rather than enhance it. Without toleration, equality may not extend to sinners. Without toleration, religious adherents will focus on religious truth and try to impose that truth on their neighbor in the name of love, rather than accepting that the parties will always disagree about religious truth and therefore seeking to object and then accept.

The paper does recognize that some religious groups have definitions for tolerance that, upon examination, are anything but tolerant. She writes a thoughtful paper and avoids emotional discussions of the hypocrisy of religious groups who are intolerant in the name of love (althought I'm sure she was thinking it!); however, she does reveal the hypocrisy of the topic among both major flavors of politician.

We are a pluralistic society, and true tolerance must abound.

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Comment by Shawn Leonard on 7th mo. 6, 2011 at 6:06pm: on the basis of your "tolerance", at what point do you stand up for the truth? And I am not talking about "truth as you know it", I am talking about the truth. Sure, everyone has the right to believe what they want, but it sounds like you support allowing false doctrine and deception to run unchecked, all in the name of "tolerance". What would things look like if the early church fathers allowed tolerance to abound? No, tolerance must not abound.

Comment by Tom Smith on 7th mo. 6, 2011 at 6:41pm: I believe the tolerance that is talked about in the First Amendment to the US Constitution and in the article refers to a "religion" but I believe this does not extend to specific behaviors. It seems to me that we can differentiate tolerance as somewhat of a cliche' "Tolerate the 'sinner' but not the 'sin'"

It is also a question as what "false doctrine and deception" truly is. From my reading of the Gospels and early Friends, support for "just war" or "being wealthy is a blessing of God" is "false doctrine." However, I am sure there are many who would argue with me.

From my understanding and experience "Love is the prime mover" and thus marriage and family building between loving individuals regardless of "sexual preference" should be permitted. However, I am sure there are many who would argue with me.

Comment by William Cox on 7th mo. 6, 2011 at 9:01pm: Great comments! The writer of the article supports the freedom of religious organizations to "tolerate" as they please within their groups, but warns against using the civil government as an instrument to impose religious beliefs on others. I believe tolerance in civil government matters has to be different than what we would tolerate within our religious groups, or the reality becomes some religious beliefs having preference over other religious beliefs.

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