First, I don't believe tolerance is the goal. Embrasure of the differences between people I feel is important.
Tolerance is like saying, "I can barely stand to be in the same room with you. I don't care about you, and when you are done speaking I will have moved on without even considering you're thoughts." It's only one step away from shunning and two from hate.
Embracing the differences in people, allows you to consider (even cynically) others' beliefs (fictional or not) and understand their point of view even if you don't agree with it. It says to others, "I think differently than you and that's okay because I understand that you are a different entity, and as such won't hold the same position as me anyway. I'm devoted hear and understand and occasionally even learn from your strange-to-me viewpoint."
I see that kind of attitude as the kind that builds societies, and bolsters disparate groups of people. I truly think it is the glue that keeps conventions alive.
Variety truly is the spice of life.
Next, as far as actions speak louder than words. I would tend to agree, with exception that words and their fore-bearer thoughts is where it all starts. "Thought is the seed of action; but action is as much its second form as thought is its first." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
In addition I tend to see that people who think violence tend to speak violence and then do violent things. I can't see how one can be separated from the other, and that is from whence Matthew writes in Matthew 12:34.
A more complete quote is here: (I've left out before and after as they deal more with aspects and matters of faith, and hence aren't pertinent to this discussion.) 33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
In this he's speaking to the Pharisees that I attempting to trip him up in his words, so if the language is bit harsh it's because Jesus is chastising this group of people as well as enlightening the rest of the throng that at this time was accompanying Jesus and his disciples. This is in answer to the accusation posed by the Pharisees: 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebub the ruler of the demons."
and also pertinent to understanding this scripture is another part of Jesus's answer: 25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
Basically, he's calling them out. Stating that an agent of the devil can't cast out demons and in the end calling the Pharisees serpents that spew forth venom in their words.
Of course being raised Catholic, my knowledge of the bible is usually a little flawed and most likely not as voluminous as Matt's, but that's how I interpret it.
no subject
First, I don't believe tolerance is the goal. Embrasure of the differences between people I feel is important.
Tolerance is like saying, "I can barely stand to be in the same room with you. I don't care about you, and when you are done speaking I will have moved on without even considering you're thoughts." It's only one step away from shunning and two from hate.
Embracing the differences in people, allows you to consider (even cynically) others' beliefs (fictional or not) and understand their point of view even if you don't agree with it. It says to others, "I think differently than you and that's okay because I understand that you are a different entity, and as such won't hold the same position as me anyway. I'm devoted hear and understand and occasionally even learn from your strange-to-me viewpoint."
I see that kind of attitude as the kind that builds societies, and bolsters disparate groups of people. I truly think it is the glue that keeps conventions alive.
Variety truly is the spice of life.
Next, as far as actions speak louder than words. I would tend to agree, with exception that words and their fore-bearer thoughts is where it all starts.
"Thought is the seed of action; but action is as much its second form as thought is its first." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
In addition I tend to see that people who think violence tend to speak violence and then do violent things. I can't see how one can be separated from the other, and that is from whence Matthew writes in Matthew 12:34.
A more complete quote is here: (I've left out before and after as they deal more with aspects and matters of faith, and hence aren't pertinent to this discussion.)
33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
In this he's speaking to the Pharisees that I attempting to trip him up in his words, so if the language is bit harsh it's because Jesus is chastising this group of people as well as enlightening the rest of the throng that at this time was accompanying Jesus and his disciples. This is in answer to the accusation posed by the Pharisees:
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebub the ruler of the demons."
and also pertinent to understanding this scripture is another part of Jesus's answer:
25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.
26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
Basically, he's calling them out. Stating that an agent of the devil can't cast out demons and in the end calling the Pharisees serpents that spew forth venom in their words.
Of course being raised Catholic, my knowledge of the bible is usually a little flawed and most likely not as voluminous as Matt's, but that's how I interpret it.