Editorial August 24, 1957 Issue

THE NEED FOR TOLERANCE

Harold Molter

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul calls their attention to the importance of unselfed love in daily living. He indicates the enduring nature of this quality of God, all-embracing divine Love. In the King James Version of the New Testament, the Greek word for "love" is often translated "charity." Paul writes as follows (I Cor. 13:4): "Charity suffereth long, and is kind," and later he says that it "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

In modern language we might say that love is patient and kind, is not quick to criticize others or expose their shortcomings, is always expectant of good, and is eager to think well of all men. We might also say that love includes tolerance toward all men.

There is a great need for tolerance in the world today, for a considerate attitude toward the beliefs of others, even though one does not agree with them. When referred to in this editorial, the word "tolerance" implies forbearance, a willingness to believe the best regarding others, including those who hold differing views or convictions from one's own. The word is not used in the sense of indifference, in merely putting up with a person or a situation.

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