Tolerance; Key Towards Harmony and Peace

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 I have been shocked and disturbed by the degree of vile hate fueled  diatribes spewed daily in social media during the American presidential campaign of 2016.

Thank God, this election will soon be over, but fearful that the need for mob propagated hatred and revenge  will continue.

Tolerance is a key component towards harmony within a society, marriage, family or friends.

Intolerance is a major problem leading to anger and division that  plagues us all.  We all want others to fit into our same opinions and philosophy of life and  for some people this provokes anger and resentment towards others who can not share their view.

Finding people who share our sameness may certainly be a validation of sorts, but the real truth of our conviction must come from within with the courage to be different from other opinions.  As we want others to respect our differences, we must also extend the same to others who differ in view.

Intolerance breeds intolerance as it is difficult to rise above a firmly entrenched prejudice from the start, that is handed down through generations.  In other words, intolerance is a learned behavior from our family.  Certain societies and religious extremists also breed and foster intolerance too.

Overly opinionated people have a tendency to want to control and dominate whomever they are with.  They are more interested in talking than listening and are in need to have the last word.

All of us can stay stuck in our neatly designed corners of opinions, as much as the others who differ from us.  Who are we to say that our view is the only valid position worthy of being heard and real?

In the end it does not matter whose ideology pans out to be right, but how you treated others in view of the various differences at hand.  To demolish those who are not on the same train of thought as you is to set yourself aside in arrogance.

When we can not accord enough space for others who have different opinions from us, we create divisions  that leads to dissonance  and resentment.  This in turns can lead to alienation and avoidance.

Living and traveling abroad is a wonderful way to see the multitudes of differing cultural values that we may not be otherwise aware.  Even without travel, thanks to the worldwide connection of the net, we can study and learn from others sharing our planet.

When we limit ourselves to just our corner of the world, and never take an interest in the plight of others, we develop an island mentality.  Pride in your country is lovely, but thinking that your country is the only significant one on the planet is narrow-minded at best.

Though our convictions may be different politically, religiously and philosophical in nature, we must allow and defend the right of others who differ to be heard with respect.  It is part of diplomacy which must be centered amongst humans as a right of dignity accorded to all.

Any  individual that leans towards inviting violence by overtly desecrating, humiliating, bullying or brutally ridiculing a religion, race, political opinions, gender variations, sexual orientations,  can destroy  psychological tolerance and recreates the same violent extremes seen in extremist religious terrorists and dangerous dictators.

Bullying en masse pushes the limits, and not surprisingly can incite violence.   To  resent my brothers and sisters who can not share my own train of view is a commiseration of violence towards them hidden from view.

They have every right as we, to believe as they do, if they are not insisting on imposing their beliefs on others, as a dictator would.  It takes conscientious listening and understanding to how their upbringing, their life trials and hardships, education, including their lack of or degree of exposure to other cultures, have shaped their philosophy.

Tolerance and understanding are fundamental to building bridges between us and those “others”, but is must be a two-way street.

 

 

6 thoughts on “Tolerance; Key Towards Harmony and Peace”

  1. Dear Cherry, reading your reflections I found exactly the’ girl’ I knew many years ago! who was able to understand my ideas about armony, tolerance and peace! I will write to you on facebook.
    Kisses and hugs!
    Bruna

    1. Thank you my sweet Bruna!. I am so grateful that you found me again after so many years! I am sure neither of us have changed, except for wisdom gathered through living all these years! Did you try the Italian translation? Love and Hugs to you!

  2. Thank you Cherry for these timeless, insightful and instructive words words of wisdom.
    Reading my childhood affection friend Bruna’s words reminded me of the positive guidance your parents gave me and others who passed through their open doors from puberty to adulthood.
    Having gained my trust, there are clear recollections of your mother seizing on my negative thoughts and redirecting them toward tolerance, better understanding and generosity toward others and their situations.
    No doubt that Bruna, living with your family as our first high school exchange student, left the USA having also benefited from your parents’ guiding hands.

    1. Thank you dear Ken for your very generous comment. My parents thought the world of you and I am glad you felt nourished by their care.
      Harmony striving and forgiveness have provided a infrastructure for me to live life that can throw painful curbs to derail us.
      My faith is something that I live internally and is directive of my thoughts and actions towards others. Hugs

  3. Well said Cherry! I don’t Particularly like discussing or listening to Politics. But in order to vote for the right one I’ve had to listen to all of this. It’s really SAD . And now some people are protesting and rioting in the streets.
    Well I have one though about this Don’t Worry Be happy!
    Hugs to you

    1. Thank you Isham. I would rather listen to why people feel the way they do, rather than try to argue with them, which only builds resistance. If they are interested in my point of view and can accept my differences with the respect that I accord them, then sharing is possible. Hugs

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