One thing humanity doesn’t
need is more intolerance

In “Have we replaced our core truths of faith with tolerance?” (Jan. 26), the Rev. James R. Ryan declares that Christianity was never intended to be tolerant. He says it was even meant to be intolerant, as the text, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” implies.
The sad note in this kind of writing, thinking and preaching is that the one thing humanity doesn’t need is more intolerance.
A lot of intolerance in the New Testament is seen in the attitude of the Jews toward this young prophet in their midst who talked with women, ate with tax collectors and sinners, and who supposedly didn’t keep their law.
The new “liberal” on the scene was certainly seen to be soft on sin and core beliefs. The early adherents to the new schism were intent on loving and forgiving those who persecuted them.
Many years later, when the new sect gained numbers and power, members of the hierarchy thought it well to distance themselves from their Jewish parents. So, great emphasis was given to such words as “no other way except through me.”
Some scholars feel the narrow interpretation the church placed on that text is responsible for immeasurable suffering in the world. The atrocities perpetrated on the Jews for centuries date back to the time when the church believed it strengthened its identity by distancing itself from Judaism.
At the beginning of Islam, the followers of Mohammed lived side by side with Christians. With their growth and expansion, they felt the need to distance themselves from Christianity and placed (unwarranted in the view of many) interpretations on some of Mohammed’s words.
The result was intolerance of Christians and Jews.
The message is subtle but clear. Intolerance breeds arrogance and disdain for outsiders.
Dr. Ryan says we should be intolerant of sin. Has he forgotten we are all sinners? Have we not been cautioned about picking up stones to throw at others?
Is it not that intolerable sin that drives us to our sanctuaries to receive the words of grace that covers our sin? Is it not gratitude that we want to preach, not intolerance?
From my viewpoint the Buddhist, the Hindu or the Muslim who lives a life of compassion, forgiveness and love for God and humanity has found the “way” Jesus was talking about. They may have never heard the name Jesus, but they have the way, the truth and the life.
The so-called Christian who thinks that intolerance leads to a righteous community has lost his way, in my opinion.
There are few things the world needs today more than for Jews, Christians and Muslims to sit down together in mutual respect and agree that God wants us to be tolerant of one another and to live in peace.
Aren’t bridges better than fences?