Tolerance is a Good Thing - Right?

We all should be more tolerant. Less judgmental. Less critical. Less opinionated. Less self-righteous. 

Right?

To a certain extent I agree. Society in the ideal would be better if everyone simply tolerated everyone else, their beliefs, their actions, their habits, their comments, their . . . 

The problem is that it doesn't work. Not in an imperfect world it doesn't. 

Like the colors on the artist's palette above our lives overlap. The problem is not just intolerance. Our moods touch each other. Our personalities affect each other. Our habits, practices, and beliefs all influence what we think about one another. 

Then there are certain things that society in general has determined we must not tolerate. It's ridiculous to think that we would ever tolerate murder or theft. 

There are also personal things we choose not to tolerate. Most of us would not tolerate sharing our spouse or someone who harms our child. 

I don't believe the problem is tolerance. The problem is that we fail to offer respect as we communicate with each other. 

We don't have to agree, but there is no reason to disagree with fists waving, banners held high, and hateful words shouted. Seriously, have you ever won an argument that way?

The Bible says: Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLV)

I actually started thinking about this as I read the last words of the Book of Judges: All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Judges 21:25b

That's what tolerance is right?

Everyone free to do what they think is right in "their own eyes." 

It just doesn't work that way because your green will always rub off on my orange, and someone else's purple will get all over another person's fuchsia and before you know it we're left with a muddy mess. 

Our lives touch and intersect and will alway bring about cause and effect reactions. 

Rather than fighting for tolerance, maybe it's time for us to take a stand for kindness and respect. 

Just something about which I've been thinking. 

What do you think?