Tolerance

KATE HOLLAND PATTON

In Webster's dictionary we find this definition of the word "tolerance": "A disposition to tolerate opinions, beliefs, practices, or conduct differing from one's own; freedom from bigotry." Throughout the entire history of Jesus' experience on earth, however widely the opinions of others may have differed from his, however violently others may have disagreed with him, the Master's attitude was always one of tolerance. True, he often corrected erroneous speech or action with a definite rebuke, stating the exact truth in cases of hypocrisy and sin; but in his words we find no trace of dislike or impatience toward sinner or hypocrite.

Christian Scientists need to ponder the example of our Master in his attitude toward his fellow-men. What is this intolerance that claims to be so prevalent to-day? Why is it that one becomes almost afraid to express an opinion, even on the most trivial subject, lest it rouse violent disagreement? Each person has a right to his opinion, however radically he may differ from his fellow-man; and each thinking person should be loving enough and fair enough to believe that his fellow-man has a reason for the opinion expressed, even though this reason may not coincide with his own.

"Love is reflected in love," we have learned from our Leader's beautiful and helpful interpretation of part of the Lord's Prayer, to be found on pages 16 and 17 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Are we thinking lovingly when we regard a fellow church member critically, take offense at some suggestion offered,—in short, meet this member with anything but tolerance?

When the writer first came into Christian Science, she expected, in her first enthusiasm, to find only the most kindly attitude of brotherly love among Christian Scientists. Later, she realized that we all have old errors to work out of; that we all are still held by false beliefs which perhaps obtained a foothold before we knew of Christian Science, and which seem to require time to eradicate. Yet our first enthusiastic vision is a legitimate one; and we have a right to expect a loving, uncritical, helpful, and united thought in our Christian Science churches. No worldliness, no seeking for place and power, no personal domination, no doubting or hypercritical thought of another's motives should enter these walls.

Whatever problem may arise to be solved by church board, directors, committees, it is the sacred duty of all concerned to do their part with thoughts filled with love and kindness. If each church worker has done his mental work, emptied his thought of every suggestion of error and filled it with love, then every church problem will be met and mastered in harmony.

Humanly speaking, no two persons approach a subject at quite the same angle, as no two have quite the same experiences through life; and we are all somewhat affected by past experience when it comes to forming an opinion. Then because our brother does not see a certain point in quite the light we see it, need we become rigid, distant, say nothing, and perhaps by silently entertaining thoughts of disapproval become a channel for general inharmony? Should we not remember that there are many little errors, such as the beliefs of hurry and pressure of daily living, waiting to trip each of us, and so meet the situation with tolerance, judging righteously?

If God is holding sway in our thoughts, both in and out of church, then no argument of intolerance, criticism, jealousy, or disapproval can possibly manifest itself, and we shall become living testimonials to the harmony which follows the acceptance and right application of the teachings of Christian Science. If our work as individual Christian Scientists is clear and constant, our united expression as a church can only be one of peace and harmony,—even the kingdom of heaven. Human opinions, discord, variance, worldly ambition, cannot break down the walls of purity and right thinking, which are the bulwarks of our churches.

Let us labor, then, to meet our fellow-men lovingly, kindly, and tolerantly. And how can we do otherwise if we remember the wonderful words of our Leader, on page 224 of "Miscellaneous Writings," in an article called "Taking Offense"? There she says, "We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves...." And she adds, "Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience," concluding the paragraph with the words, "determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit