Menu

Religious tolerance & cooperation

Sponsored link.

Quotes promoting religious tolerance and intolerance:

Definitions:

The term "religious tolerance" has more than one meaning.

1. On this site we define it as allowing followers of other religions to follow their spiritual beliefs without oppression or discrimination. Religious tolerance is a fundamental right in a democracy. Most people believe that religious tolerance, using this definition, is a noble goal, and vitally necessary for world peace.
   
   Of course, no right is absolute. Tolerance may not necessarily extend beyond religious beliefs to include some religious actions -- particularly those that harm others.
   
   
2. Others, particularly conservatives in many religions, describe "religious tolerance" differently. They define it as accepting all religious faiths as being equally true. This is one meaning of the phrase "religious pluralism." Since religions teach different beliefs, this definition of tolerance implies that absolute truth doesn't exist. Most religious conservatives reject these beliefs, and regard their own faith as the only absolutely true belief system. Thus, many conservatives believe that religious tolerance -- using their definition of the term -- is evil.

We are continually amazed at the differences in definitions used by different faith groups. It makes religious debates and dialogue very difficult. It also makes our work in trying to objectively describe religious beliefs and practices quite challenging.

Topics covered in this section:

Related topics on this web site:

You may be interested in viewing the following sections dealing with the opposite of religious tolerance: