We are encouraged in this pluralistic society to tolerate those different from us, to put up with the polarity in political affiliation, religious devotion, sexual preference, and socio-economic position. We live in the “West” which for 500 years has matured within the perspective of individual liberty and grown through many forms of emancipation (civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, et cetera). In the melting pot of the Western World, we have embraced tolerance as a virtue… but are we confused?

To set tolerance as a virtue means that someone who is open-minded displays high moral standards, that forbearance is the foundation of a good and moral person. I disagree. Love is a virtue and tolerance is not love.

Tolerance – 1: to endure or resist the action of (as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for
2 a: to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction b: to put up with (learn to tolerate one another)

Tolerance (as an ethical disposition) is absolutely critical in a pluralistic society.¹ Without tolerance there is open hatred and separation, so I agree that tolerance is needed in society like ours where people from multiple nations, religions and political affiliations all live within a single block of each other. Tolerance is a proponent of peace but it is not a virtue. I think too many times as Christians we begin to fall back into inactivity, using the term “tolerance” as a substitute for love. We tolerate the rowdy neighbors, we tolerate the homosexual waiter, we tolerate the Muslim cab driver… and while this is the right thing to do, I don’t think it is what Jesus would have done. As Christ followers we are called to a higher standard, Jesus blasted the outwardly righteous, calling them a brood of vipers and whitewashed tombs. You see, tolerance does nothing but cover up the true nature of the heart, it filters your thoughts and inhibits your hate. So on the outside you change your demeanor to portray yourself as a kind and morally tolerant person, but you have not rooted out the seeds of hate and fear within your heart. Continuing on in tolerance changes nothing. It is the stance of two people who disagree without the thought of resolution. By definition a virtue must elicit change within a person’s heart, a change that precipitates an action.

The three Christian virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love are verbs.²

The four classical cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice are all actions not inert philosophical suppositions.

So my challenge to you today is don’t just tolerate those different from you, be curious… ask questions and try to see from their perspective. Befriend those who are unlike you, form a relationship where the Virtues of our Faith can be shown and be put to work. Be a good and moral person who strives to also be a faithful friend, hope-filled patron, and loving neighbor. A person who exudes self-control, courage, good judgement, and evenhandedness with everyone they encounter. Move past the surface and maybe you will be welcomed rather than just tolerated.

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1. Carl Raschke. “GloboChrist” Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI; p 155
2. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Dr. Seuss does a great job of showing the impotent path of tolerance in the story of “The Zax”