I was reading in the Ensign Magazine recently and came across an article that really expressed some things I have been thinking about lately. I welcome input and comments on this discussion, but please keep them kind and productive. I believe what I believe and I am ok if you disagree, just do so in a respectful manner.
Anyway, Elder Bruce Porter (a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was the author of the article entitled Defending the Family in a Troubled World. I enjoyed the whole article, but want to talk about the definition of tolerance for a little bit. I don't like to post long quotes, but in this case I will refer to large sections of text from his article as he expresses himself much better than I can.
"Until recently in our national history, tolerance referred to racial and religious non-discrimination. It meant civility in the political arena; in other words, respecting the right of others to express their views, even if we do not agree with them. It meant treating all people with decency and respect. Such tolerance is an important and vital part of our American heritage."
When I read this I was so excited to finally feel like someone expressed what I believed, but could not explain clearly. During the debates on gay and lesbian marriage I would cringe inside when I heard them compare their situation to that of slaves. Last time I checked we do not chose the color of skin we have. Being an African American or any other ethic decent is not a choice. I believe acting on gay and lesbian feelings is a choice. As I express this frustration I know some people will want to refer to all sorts of research to prove that I am not right in my thinking, but once again I am free to my own opinion and I respect your right to have yours.
"Today, however, the world is in danger of abandoning all sense of absolute right or wrong, all morality and virtue, replacing them with an all-encompassing “tolerance” that no longer means what it once meant. An extreme definition of tolerance is now widespread that implicitly or explicitly endorses the right of every person to choose their own morality, even their own “truth,” as though morality and truth were mere matters of personal preference. This extreme tolerance culminates in a refusal to recognize any fixed standards or draw moral distinctions of any kind. Few dare say no to the “almighty self” or suggest that some so-called “lifestyles” may be destructive, contrary to higher law, or simply wrong."
Oh how true I believe this paragraph to be! Life is not about creating your own moral compass. In fact it is the exact opposite. Our life is about finding out truth from God and then acting upon it. I am so grateful that there are people of every religion that believe in morality and virtue. I enjoy surrounding myself with friends that have a desire to live moral lives and raise children that know the difference between right and wrong.
"Curiously enough, this new modern tolerance is often a one-way street. Those who practice it expect everyone to tolerate them in anything they say or do, but show no tolerance themselves toward those who express differing viewpoints or defend traditional morality. Indeed, their intolerance is often most barbed toward those of religious conviction. But let there be no misunderstanding or deception: the First Amendment right of free speech applies to religious speech as well as to other kinds of speech. Believers of all faiths have every right to participate in and share their convictions in the public arena."
I have felt and read how this part of the quote is true. I often read comments after religious articles and it hurts to see how abrasive people can be when they don't agree. I believe everyone (one both sides of the issue) needs to be more respectful and kind as we dialogue regarding things we don't agree with. I want to feel comfortable expressing my opinions and I hope those I associate with will also feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. I am very religious and that is a large part of who I am. I feel it is important to feel comfortable talking about what I believe and I wish society as a whole would be more comfortable talking calmly and considerately about what people believe.
"Now let us go one step further. Even in its original and correct connotation, tolerance is surely a secondary virtue in comparison with the far higher virtue of love. Certainly it is good to be tolerant of those who are different than we are, treating them with kindness and civility. But love, or charity, is the highest of all, and it is far better to genuinely love those with whom we differ. When we truly love all of God’s children in a Christlike way, we will desire to bring them unto Christ, the fountain of all happiness. This means proclaiming the truth, defending that which is right, and in a mild voice inviting all to walk the path of Christ."
If we were all focused more on loving each other, I think we could have more civilized dialogues and discussion regarding issues that are important to us. Yes, we might end up agreeing to disagree, but at least we could develop friendships and uplifting relationships instead of harboring hate and frustration.
"So perfect and exalted was Christ’s love for God’s children that He took upon Himself the penalty for their sins, descending below all things in the Garden of Gethsemane and dying for us on the cross at Golgotha. Yet He never compromised virtue nor tolerated sin in the slightest degree (see D&C 1:31). He treated the woman taken in adultery with love and respect, putting her accusers to shame; nevertheless He said, “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). The Master abhorred sin, because sin is the enemy of the human soul."
"God’s love is sometimes described as unconditional. It is true that God loves all of His children on earth no matter how often or how far they may stray. But while God’s love is all-encompassing, His blessings are highly conditional, including the very blessing of being able to feel and experience His love. The further human beings stray from the path of righteousness, the less they will be capable of feeling divine love, because it is conveyed into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that God loves us less when we stray, only that we, by our choices and actions, have distanced ourselves from His love. How wondrous, then, is the gift of repentance, by which we can be brought back into accord with His will and feel again of His love."
With those last two paragraphs I echo Elder Porter's words. God does love us! I am trying hard to follow his example and love everyone too. I believe that I can love someone and not support them in something I believe is a sin. I believe that I can accept things like a civil union, but I will never be ok with changing the definition of marriage as between a man and a women. I believe that if a person chooses to follow gay and lesbian feelings that is their choice, just like it is the choice of people to have premarital sex, but that doesn't mean that I will support them in that choice. I am still friends with people that live a lifestyle I don't condone because I love them as people. I hope to continue to defend the family and civilized discourse in my small ways.
