Why are religious people so intolerant?
Tolerance means assuming the people you disagree with are honest and well meaning. It doesn’t mean all opinions have equal merit or that no one is right. As Dorothy Parker said, “If two people agree, one of them is unnecessary.” It is also crucial to distinguish between loving people and loving all their actions or beliefs. Rabbi Aryeh Levin lived in Israel during the British Mandate. One Shabbat, he was walking in the streets of Jerusalem when a secular Israeli came toward him, smoking a cigarette. “My master,” said Reb Aryeh, “it’s prohibited to smoke on Shabbat.” “I’m not Jewish,” said the Israeli. “Oh my son, don’t say that,” said Reb Aryeh. “I love you as my own child.” The Israeli paused. “The Rabbi doesn’t want me to smoke? I’ll put it out.” “Don’t put it out,” said Reb Aryeh, “just put it down.” “I can’t tell the Rabbi I’ll never again smoke on Shabbat,” said the Israeli, “but this Shabbat, I won’t smoke.
Tolerance means assuming the people you disagree with are honest and well meaning. It doesn’t mean all opinions have equal merit or that no one is right. As Dorothy Parker said, “If two people agree, one of them is unnecessary.” It is also crucial to distinguish between loving people and loving all their actions or beliefs. Rabbi Aryeh Levin lived in Israel during the British Mandate. One Shabbat, he was walking in the streets of Jerusalem when a secular Israeli came toward him, smoking a cigarette. “My master,” said Reb Aryeh, “it’s prohibited to smoke on Shabbat.” “I’m not Jewish,” said the Israeli. “Oh my son, don’t say that,” said Reb Aryeh. “I love you as my own child.” The Israeli paused. “The Rabbi doesn’t want me to smoke?
