Toleration

TOLERATION 

Toleration

Outline: 
(1) Men are different from each other 
(2) We should agree 
(3) Religious matter 
(4) Independence of thought 
(5) Moral philosophy 
(6) spirit of tolerance 
Men differ from each other in disposition, inclination,manners, and opinions as they do in face and form. They are not made in the same mould. Among the people of different countries the gulf of difference is still wider. 
We have, in addition, different sentiments, different sympathies,different aims and ambitions,different way altogether. It has always been so and will remain so. As all men with different minds and views have to live together, it behaves them to cultivate a generous Inspirit of tolerance towards one another. Irrespective of race, caste, creed and religion we should bear with them. 
Even where we are convinced to that the other person is in the wrong if we know him to be sincere, we should accommodate him. He deserves to be given credit for his sincerity. The highest virtue of toleration lies in the fact that we bear with others when we may differ with one about a point, we can, at least agree to differ from him. It is just possible that we may commit the same errors or have the same shortcomings, and that we ourselves need the same forbearance and sympathy. 
People least tolerate one another in religious matters. Religious toleration is wanting even in the European countries which claim to be better civilized than the rest of the world. A few centuries ago religious persecution was resorted to in England. Now things have changed a bit. In the backward oriental countries people of one sect have no trust in the people of another sect. 
They do not wish well each other, when they meet on the side of the road. They probably think that the other sect has not the right to worship God as they wish. In doing so they deliberately ignore a patent fact,that God has simply directed the mind and spirit with which, He is to be worshipped. 
The particular form and manner of worship is left to the choice of the individual. Religious intolerance leads to quite a number of evils. Hampers free thought, free mind and free action. Man's most valued, rights; his independence of thought and expression are taken away from him. 
The calamity is all the more disastrous when it inflicts the nations. It narrows clown their sympathies, checks their progress and if overindulged, ruins them altogether. Fostering unreasonable hatreds and prejudices against others poisons the very personality of those who do it. 
A good man will, as much as possible, strive to forget his individuality and learn to study the excellences of persons and parties to whom he is naturally opposed. It is not wise to condemn large classes and sections of our fellow beings; that sort of talk sounds big, but is in fact petty. 
If a man is talked against by the world, it may be your better judgement which recognizes his true worth. People are in the habit of talking against many of the best men in certain circumstances; but it does not mean that in that way the great men are shorn of their greatness. 
Look towards them with the eye of a brother, and you may find the best that is in them. To do this is the true moral philosophy the best human riches. But the spirit of toleration is as necessary in the small as in the great things of life. Even school boys have frequent opportunities for the exercise of that spirit. 
The spirit of toleration, if not inculcated from early age, might degenerate persons to mere fanatics and bigots whose pale of sympathy does not exceed beyond themselves. It is a folly to expect everybody to think. 
Reasons influence one’s thinking to a great extent. It is just possible that the person who thinks otherwise may have different reasons from his speculations. We should not, therefore, attempt to punish others with our intolerance because they do not happen to see as we see, or think as we think. 
What could be a worse persecution? Great are the words which somebody has said to teach us toleration. "Never be angry with any person merely because you cannot persuade him to change his opinion; and above all, never do him any injury hesitate about doing him good, because his opinions and yours are different.