Religion: A Plea For Tolerance by Michael A. Sand

Posted @ Aug. 08 2011 05:23AM by Michael A. Sand - city-beat

Every adult decides what is right for them in terms of whether or not to follow an organized religion. The reasons for joining a church, synagogue, mosque or temple are as numerous and varied as the religions themselves.

The reasons for gravitating towards a particlular denomination may be spirtual to some, and social to others, but more often than not, individuals settle into the religion of their parents. In other cases, some decide to be atheists and not particpate in organized religion at all. And if the chasm between the followers of those choices is not enough, individuals can further be divided into those who are tolerant of the beliefs of others and those who are not. Here is a plea for tolerance.

I support indivuduals who believe that there are numerous paths to a happy life. No matter which faith one chooses to follow; even if atheist or agnostic, I support them in their choices.

I am a follower of the logic that even if you believe that your religion is the way or the truth, it does not allow you the right to denigrate, disparage or force someone to believe as you do, even if you think they are not following the right path.

Moreso, I strongly oppose individuals who claim to be good religious people and simultaneously, spout messages of hate, racism, anti-semitism and homophobia, or when these same individuals claim that all atheists or agnostics are immoral. I protest the extremists who call for killing those of other faiths or those of their own faith with different tenets. Yet these things happen everyday in our society. Again, I plead for tolerance.