tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post2467431902651460931..comments2024-01-06T07:53:11.832-08:00Comments on disabled Christianity: TolerantismJeff McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-32060334021216529032012-08-14T14:41:56.966-07:002012-08-14T14:41:56.966-07:00As a person who is a subscribes to the personal ph...As a person who is a subscribes to the personal philosophy of Progressive Tolerantism I openly admit that a large part of that philosophy is to never attempt to force or convince others to believe what I believe. Although I do enough explaining my beliefs, I never feel that it is right to color a person’s beliefs with mine. Personally I hold fast to things that I view to be truths, such as the existence of an omniscient God and the interconnectedness of all living things and religions, even if those persons and faiths choose to accuse each other of being wrong. Just like many others who carry deep beliefs, my faith encourages me to generalize the same principles that Jesus demonstrated into all aspects of my life and values the strong but basic quality that unites us all even when we are in disagreement; love and the desire to know the source of greater goodness or at the very least, be participants in a work of greater good without acknowledgment of a God source.<br /><br />The major aspect that my Progressive Tolerantism effects is that in which I experience harmless conflicts with others. However, since the term “harmless” is very subjective in this context, let me prologue my standing with the definition that harmless conflicts are a matter of opinion so long as it does not effect others in negatively and neither the individual nor the community are altered physically or psychologically in a way that can affect their way of interacting with the environment or affect their possibilities to develop self-determination. This means that if I encounter someone who is scoffing at a student of mine whom is in a wheelchair and since I belief that will negatively effect my student, of course I will not be tolerant of that type of harmful display. In contrast, if I encounter a person expressing a religious opinion that I disagree with, I accept their freedom to choose. I cherish my faith and how it empowers me to pursue change things for the better and accept things that I have grown to label as harmless.<br /><br />In applying my personal beliefs to my work with the disabled community, I tolerate very little when it comes to anything that will hinder growth in a positive direction and/or restrict freedoms just as those whom subscribe to traditional Christianity may also. It is in finding this common ground that allows me to strengthen greater ties of working towards a greater good for the disabled community. <br />eDagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07284855113378054247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-79247481414247452012-08-14T14:41:24.498-07:002012-08-14T14:41:24.498-07:00As a person who is a subscribes to the personal ph...As a person who is a subscribes to the personal philosophy of Progressive Tolerantism I openly admit that a large part of that philosophy is to never attempt to force or convince others to believe what I believe. Although I do enough explaining my beliefs, I never feel that it is right to color a person’s beliefs with mine. Personally I hold fast to things that I view to be truths, such as the existence of an omniscient God and the interconnectedness of all living things and religions, even if those persons and faiths choose to accuse each other of being wrong. Just like many others who carry deep beliefs, my faith encourages me to generalize the same principles that Jesus demonstrated into all aspects of my life and values the strong but basic quality that unites us all even when we are in disagreement; love and the desire to know the source of greater goodness or at the very least, be participants in a work of greater good without acknowledgment of a God source.<br /><br />The major aspect that my Progressive Tolerantism effects is that in which I experience harmless conflicts with others. However, since the term “harmless” is very subjective in this context, let me prologue my standing with the definition that harmless conflicts are a matter of opinion so long as it does not effect others in negatively and neither the individual nor the community are altered physically or psychologically in a way that can affect their way of interacting with the environment or affect their possibilities to develop self-determination. This means that if I encounter someone who is scoffing at a student of mine whom is in a wheelchair and since I belief that will negatively effect my student, of course I will not be tolerant of that type of harmful display. In contrast, if I encounter a person expressing a religious opinion that I disagree with, I accept their freedom to choose. I cherish my faith and how it empowers me to pursue change things for the better and accept things that I have grown to label as harmless.<br /><br />In applying my personal beliefs to my work with the disabled community, I tolerate very little when it comes to anything that will hinder growth in a positive direction and/or restrict freedoms just as those whom subscribe to traditional Christianity may also. It is in finding this common ground that allows me to strengthen greater ties of working towards a greater good for the disabled community. <br />eDagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07284855113378054247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-81031872789331291032012-07-16T14:31:05.400-07:002012-07-16T14:31:05.400-07:00I would like to become an advocate for people with...I would like to become an advocate for people with disabilities. Recently, I have made it a point to get to know a person with a disability. I work for the US Postal Service and have the opportunity to deliver mail to a building which houses people with disabilities; it is there that I have made many new friends. I enjoy the conversations I have with these people but am saddened at their plight: not so much there physical or cognitive disability but the little human interaction they have with “friends”. <br /><br />I have seen the face of evil in this respect first-hand as I have observed visitors and passerby’s look upon these people with disdain and murmur beneath their breath words I could not make out. Nevertheless, whether this reaction by some is rooted in “intolerance” or “ignorance” is subject to investigation but Dr. McNair, you provide great insight into the greater issue. <br /><br />I do not believe that the root of the problem has anything to do with being “tolerant” or “intolerant.” You wrote, “People are able to choose God or not choose Him.” (Ph.d, McNair, J., 2012) Therefore, I believe it is a matter of choice and when people “choose” to believe in God they are relegated to such trivial things as making bold accusations of “intolerance”. <br /><br />However, while there is a place for employing such terminology it is not the root of the problem. According to Dictionary.com, one definition of tolerance is that it is "a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own." Again, this definition lends itself to an array of discord in that it allows for people to believe what is right in their own eyes. We cannot force our views upon anyone but we should be able to share our thoughts freely. (PHd. McNair, J, 2012) <br /><br />Interestingly enough circles which hold that truth is relevant and therefore not absolute are in fact stating a contradiction; by virtue of stating “truth is relevant” is indeed speaking an “absolute.” If we as Christians are accused of being “intolerant” because we believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God; God’s revelation to man and the standard for living and belief then we are condemned by the very people who hold another view which in their eyes are in the right. We could in fact go back and forth and accuse each other of being intolerant. <br /><br />Therefore, what you said provides great insight into this dilemma, “So for people to impose their position on others, even if, or especially if it is a position of tolerance is not a Christian principle.” Phd., McNair, J, 2012) It is indeed not a Christian principle but “choice” is, and I choose to believe that God is the supreme being who has provided a savior to bring us back into a right relationship with Him, and who is willing that none should be condemned, but being omniscient knows that not all will believe. <br /><br />Romans 1:20-21 a says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God (choice – leads to intolerance) nor were they thankful, became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.Thus, our choice will either lead us to “tolerance” or “intolerance”: the basis of our intolerance or tolerance is the determining factor of whether it is right or wrong. <br /><br />spidey2013Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02716117156208274668noreply@blogger.com