Comments on: On Tolerance http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/ A picture of my life in a thousand words . . . more or less. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:54:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Amy http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-25063 Amy Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:15:50 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-25063 Jeana above said "We are still so pampered in this country that we have no idea what true persecution is. " I also believe we are pampered -- a modern day Babylon if you will. And if you are familiar with the culture of say Daniel's day in the Bible, then you will know that it is extremely easy to fall away from God with so much pampering and temptations around. I sometimes think that while we aren't "persecuted" as people in other countries per se, that we are definitely deeper in the pit of excess temptation. Thanks melodee for this blog entry -- very perceptive and poignant. I'm glad I came across this in my google for "tolerance versus judgemental." (Judgemental being another word I believe is both misused and overused.) Jeana above said “We are still so pampered in this country that we have no idea what true persecution is. ”

I also believe we are pampered — a modern day Babylon if you will. And if you are familiar with the culture of say Daniel’s day in the Bible, then you will know that it is extremely easy to fall away from God with so much pampering and temptations around. I sometimes think that while we aren’t “persecuted” as people in other countries per se, that we are definitely deeper in the pit of excess temptation.

Thanks melodee for this blog entry — very perceptive and poignant. I’m glad I came across this in my google for “tolerance versus judgemental.” (Judgemental being another word I believe is both misused and overused.)

]]> By: Edna B http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9558 Edna B Sat, 04 Nov 2006 08:12:24 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9558 Great post Mel. Mutual respect is what it is all about. Tragically, what the world sees most is extremism. Extremism catches the general interest, and strongly influences the uneducated or sheltered of those amongst us. We cannot underestimate the media influence as to how people feel about religion, faith, and judgment of each other. That extremism can come in many forms, be it "Terrorism (ie instantly the word Muslim springs to mind)", Fundamentalist Christianity, traditional bias (ie Protestant vs Catholics in Northern Ireland) etc. In relation to Christianity;- Some outspoken, media-hungry "Christians" have set themselved up for huge falls by doing the wrong thing. Sensationalist journalism then closes the case for some forms of Christianity. And so the bias will persist, as is the case with the last guy in the news, Ted Haggard. I'm going to be quite soul-searchingly honest here. I have an irrational bias against some forms of Christianity, because I despise being proselytized to. (What a great word - I stole it from a post above). I have never seen you proselytize in your blog, and I presume that you are the same in real life. I admire your strong faith and conviction, even envy it. Continue to be true to yourself. Great post Mel. Mutual respect is what it is all about. Tragically, what the world sees most is extremism. Extremism catches the general interest, and strongly influences the uneducated or sheltered of those amongst us. We cannot underestimate the media influence as to how people feel about religion, faith, and judgment of each other.
That extremism can come in many forms, be it “Terrorism (ie instantly the word Muslim springs to mind)”, Fundamentalist Christianity, traditional bias (ie Protestant vs Catholics in Northern Ireland) etc.
In relation to Christianity;- Some outspoken, media-hungry “Christians” have set themselved up for huge falls by doing the wrong thing. Sensationalist journalism then closes the case for some forms of Christianity. And so the bias will persist, as is the case with the last guy in the news, Ted Haggard.
I’m going to be quite soul-searchingly honest here. I have an irrational bias against some forms of Christianity, because I despise being proselytized to. (What a great word – I stole it from a post above).
I have never seen you proselytize in your blog, and I presume that you are the same in real life. I admire your strong faith and conviction, even envy it.
Continue to be true to yourself.

]]> By: Anisah http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9538 Anisah Fri, 03 Nov 2006 04:16:40 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9538 As A Muslim, I Must Say Mel That I Love You. I Think If You Like Someone There Is Nothing To Tolerate. I Pay Extra To Have The Internet Every Month Just To Look Forward To Reading Your Blog. I Don't Believe In Tolerence I Believe In Friendship. Tolerence Is Fake. As A Muslim, I Must Say Mel That I Love You. I Think If You Like Someone There Is Nothing To Tolerate. I Pay Extra To Have The Internet Every Month Just To Look Forward To Reading Your Blog. I Don’t Believe In Tolerence I Believe In Friendship. Tolerence Is Fake.

]]> By: some0girl http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9507 some0girl Wed, 01 Nov 2006 02:56:00 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9507 *lol* that was one of the best posts i've ever read! (found you through crib ceiling. thought i was going to get to see an actual unretouched photo. i'm gullible.) i've OFTEN had those same thoughts but not the energy to write it down. aren't intolerant people annoying? i seriously want to make a shirt that says "i hate intolerant people." the sad thing is, most people wouldn't get it... *lol* that was one of the best posts i’ve ever read! (found you through crib ceiling. thought i was going to get to see an actual unretouched photo. i’m gullible.) i’ve OFTEN had those same thoughts but not the energy to write it down. aren’t intolerant people annoying? i seriously want to make a shirt that says “i hate intolerant people.” the sad thing is, most people wouldn’t get it…

]]> By: Mary http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9501 Mary Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:12:00 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9501 Oh, so much to say. I totally agree with your post. I am often embarrassed by how Christians are portrayed in the media, though. It seems like we do hear so many that are focused on the COMPLETELY wrong things. Let's take a look at what Jesus focused on - loving each other and living righteously ourselves(not judging others). Freedom is such a difficult concept because so many of us want freedom to practice our religion and express our beliefs but do not want to afford others with opposing views that same right. Oh, so much to say. I totally agree with your post. I am often embarrassed by how Christians are portrayed in the media, though. It seems like we do hear so many that are focused on the COMPLETELY wrong things. Let’s take a look at what Jesus focused on – loving each other and living righteously ourselves(not judging others).

Freedom is such a difficult concept because so many of us want freedom to practice our religion and express our beliefs but do not want to afford others with opposing views that same right.

]]> By: deb http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9500 deb Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:40:36 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9500 As you might guess, I am in complete agreement with Eyes and jeana. Also, while I am a non-Christian, I do see intolerance in all groups. For my life, I believe that everyone has a path to a superior force of being. I don't think that my path is yours, nor could your path be mine. I think that formal proselytizing by Christians has done more harm than good in the world, changing innocent paths. I think Christians do a lot of good, as do other people of faith, but proselytizing isn't one of those "good things." It says more about "MY way is better than yours - <i>Neener! Neener!</i> than anything else could say. It is insulting. All that being said, I respect each person's views and beliefs held within themselves. I respect them enough that I allow them the dignity of what they feel to be right, even when at odds with my own beliefs. I must draw the line, however, when their beliefs are thrust upon me or my children. No drinks at a party? Trivial. Telling my children that they're "bad" because they don't hold a belief like their friends? Non-trivial, but forgivable. "They know not what they do." My children are taught to respect others, even when the respect is not returned. It is still hard for them, but these are the tools of life in our culture. This is the essence of our lives. . As you might guess, I am in complete agreement with Eyes and jeana. Also, while I am a non-Christian, I do see intolerance in all groups.

For my life, I believe that everyone has a path to a superior force of being. I don’t think that my path is yours, nor could your path be mine. I think that formal proselytizing by Christians has done more harm than good in the world, changing innocent paths. I think Christians do a lot of good, as do other people of faith, but proselytizing isn’t one of those “good things.” It says more about “MY way is better than yours – Neener! Neener! than anything else could say. It is insulting.

All that being said, I respect each person’s views and beliefs held within themselves. I respect them enough that I allow them the dignity of what they feel to be right, even when at odds with my own beliefs. I must draw the line, however, when their beliefs are thrust upon me or my children.

No drinks at a party? Trivial. Telling my children that they’re “bad” because they don’t hold a belief like their friends? Non-trivial, but forgivable. “They know not what they do.” My children are taught to respect others, even when the respect is not returned. It is still hard for them, but these are the tools of life in our culture.

This is the essence of our lives.

.

]]> By: carrien http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9498 carrien Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:33:32 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9498 Oh were to begin, except that it is ironic. Of course I get the anti-Christian attitude when what most people consider CHristian is Gerry Fallwell saying that 9/11 was god's judgement on gay people. HAving been exposed to that kind of rhetoric my whole life, I may get the greater gist of his position, but I wouldn't expect non-christians to be anything but offended. I was. We kind of bring it on ourselves, or have it brought on us by the vocal people who claim to represent us. Just like Muslims all get lumped in together with Al Quaeda and terrorists. Oh were to begin, except that it is ironic.

Of course I get the anti-Christian attitude when what most people consider CHristian is Gerry Fallwell saying that 9/11 was god’s judgement on gay people. HAving been exposed to that kind of rhetoric my whole life, I may get the greater gist of his position, but I wouldn’t expect non-christians to be anything but offended. I was. We kind of bring it on ourselves, or have it brought on us by the vocal people who claim to represent us.

Just like Muslims all get lumped in together with Al Quaeda and terrorists.

]]> By: Sandy McCann http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9497 Sandy McCann Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:28:59 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9497 Mel, I am glad to took time to express this, and am hoping you got some release...and peace for having said it. As you know I am in a "struggle" over things related. Two missionary friends overnighted here at my house last night so they were ready to hear my heart (and I theirs about thier missions in China.) The overriding factor is LOVE! When a person answers a call to make their life in a culture very foreign to them (especially in a country that barely tolerates Christianity), they seem to be able to more clearly see through God's eyes the need to LOVE people. Our culture here in America has an "attitude" that people need to make it on their own...or that there are social programs that meet the needs of people ("we can just volunteer when we have time")... Is it any wonder that so many people continue to speak out against Christians when we talk about love...and yet in reality we get so busy with our Christian friends we neglect to love ALL "..our neighbors as ourselves" (loving our brothers and sisters in Christ IS good, but it should not be the end....it should be the beginning...one that build us up to love others) Well, that's my heart. Sandy Mel,

I am glad to took time to express this, and am hoping you got some release…and peace for having said it. As you know I am in a “struggle” over things related. Two missionary friends overnighted here at my house last night so they were ready to hear my heart (and I theirs about thier missions in China.) The overriding factor is LOVE! When a person answers a call to make their life in a culture very foreign to them (especially in a country that barely tolerates Christianity), they seem to be able to more clearly see through God’s eyes the need to LOVE people. Our culture here in America has an “attitude” that people need to make it on their own…or that there are social programs that meet the needs of people (“we can just volunteer when we have time”)…

Is it any wonder that so many people continue to speak out against Christians when we talk about love…and yet in reality we get so busy with our Christian friends we neglect to love ALL “..our neighbors as ourselves” (loving our brothers and sisters in Christ IS good, but it should not be the end….it should be the beginning…one that build us up to love others)

Well, that’s my heart.

Sandy

]]> By: Eyes http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9496 Eyes Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:54:02 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9496 You are a sweet soul -- and I see you as very tolerant and non-judgemental. And I am an atheist/democrat LOL! We believe different things -- but we respect each other. I find harmony in that :) You are a sweet soul — and I see you as very tolerant and non-judgemental. And I am an atheist/democrat LOL!

We believe different things — but we respect each other. I find harmony in that :)

]]> By: Stacy http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/comment-page-1/#comment-9494 Stacy Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:48:26 +0000 http://www.unretouchedphoto.com/2006/10/30/on-tolerance/#comment-9494 Right on. I do get riled up over the Bible-slinging Christians who can't wrap their minds around different. But I also get riled up over the Koran-slinging Muslims who do the same, know what I mean? Anyone who thinks they are the "it" completely turns me off and makes my eyeballs roll around in my skull. But, I have to admit, I like parties with wine and beer on offer! Right on.

I do get riled up over the Bible-slinging Christians who can’t wrap their minds around different. But I also get riled up over the Koran-slinging Muslims who do the same, know what I mean? Anyone who thinks they are the “it” completely turns me off and makes my eyeballs roll around in my skull.

But, I have to admit, I like parties with wine and beer on offer!

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