Love is
the universal language understood by all. All humanity longs to find true
acceptance for who they are as a person even when their bent is
not mainstream, popular, politically correct or as varied as the candies
made by Russell Stover. The one language that is never foreign or
misunderstood is love, and it often is best spoken without any words.
Love is
communicated and shown with actions of respect, acceptance, kindness and
tolerance. Yet, this true example of love is lacking in our world today. Tolerance is both the most “in
fashion” word of the day and the most hated. It is loved and despised by
us all – even if we don’t choose to admit it. We stand for it when it
benefits us and shoot at it when it is not.
We want
to put a silencer on any barrel that is firing a different bullet than
our preferred caliber. Yet isolating others with differing perspectives
than our own only shrinks our ability for education and growth.
Few of
us would admit to being intolerant and there is no other moniker we
would more hate to be given. However, the guilt is obvious and on display
in every facet of our culture. Politics, sports, television and religion
have a window shop of such concrete-minded poster boys.
By
definition the meaning of intolerance is defined as the inability to
accept others views, convictions or opinions because they oppose your own.
However, many who are the most outspoken about tolerance of others are the
ones speaking with a forked tongue. They want others opinion’s heard as
long as they are rowing in the same boat. When there is a different stance
the fault line is often exposed and verbal volcanoes erupt.
Just
recently we saw how the Olympic games become a battlefield of
intolerance as the Russian government seeks to muzzle the LGTB community
from having a voice. Gag policies never cultivate understanding or
peace in any relationships whether personal or corporate. Silencing others
or trying to get a louder bullhorn is never a bridge to peace. Sadly,
protests may be looming at the singular worldwide sporting event designed
as a congregation of world unity. And while like everyone, the LGTB
community deserves a platform, so do those on the other side of the coin.
Phil
Robertson of Duck Dynasty is a classic case. He became embroiled in
a firestorm after comments in a recent media interview. Regardless of his
opinions he should have the right to state them and drive a stake in the
ground without being marginalized as an intolerant redneck.
Cannot understanding and compassion be learned from both
camps without putting a stereotypical label on either as a sinner, saint
or psycho? If the last 10 years of traveling the world have taught me
anything it’s the need to release my pious attitude and embrace those with
whom I don’t share much real estate. I have often learned the most from
those I understand the least.
I have a
family member who I love dearly who has a different sexual
orientation from me. Our relationship has enabled me to grow in
understanding and taught me how to relate to her community of friends.
This person’s influence has taught me more about compassion and patience than
probably any other relationship I’ve ever had.
This
week I spent time with a person whose beliefs about God were
the antithesis of my own. One hour later we shook hands and planned our
next meeting. We are scheduled for lunch tomorrow. In our meeting, there
was no jockeying for position of higher ground but an approach to
understand beliefs neither of us had ever possessed. By conversation’s
end, we were both forced to examine what we believed and why we believed
it.
One of
the strongest evidences of character and personal impact is
the relationship one has with his fellow man. Maybe the recognition that I
am not always right is the best process of growth and can equip me to listen
to others whose opinions or convictions I may not like. Agreement and
surrender are not mandatory but compassion, respect and openness must be.
By JayLowder
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