Today there are two words that are so very often confused: acceptance and tolerance.
Sometimes both are used synonymously with each other; however there is a much greater contrast between the two.
For example, if I were to say that we do not accept homosexuality, nor would we promote homosexuality, nor celebrate it, nor encourage it, that does not necessarily mean that we want to "rid the world of its abomination".
On the contrary, our religion teaches tolerance and respect for God's creatures. We also believe that we have no authority to judge someone based on their circumstances, because that is a matter purely for God to decide based on the complexity of each individual's life and their influences throughout their life.
With regards to acceptance, the similitude is like that of an atheist who does not accept Christianity, nor would they promote Christianity, nor spiritually celebrate it, nor encourage it. That would not necessarily mean that they would discriminate against a Christian. Although lately there is a wave of anti-religious rhetoric that seems to seep its way into today's society - becoming almost a fashion statement to patronise spirituality - it would be unfair for me to generalise.
The problem with today's society is that it has become taboo to disagree with one person's choice of lifestyle, almost as an attempt to silence the freedom of speech of one group over another. Rather than gays coming "out of the closet", the minority have been proverbially bullied into it. There is an undeniable attempt to assimilate today's minority in Western society rather than allowing them to integrate into society and still maintain their cultures and beliefs - these are also two words very often confused with regards to people's opportunity to give opinions.
I work in an office with many who are open and proud of their sexual preference. I work well with them in a healthy team environment and they are witness to the utmost respect I show for them. Simply because I do not agree with their choice of lifestyle does not change the professional friendship I have with them, especially since I would not get insulted when someone disagrees with the practices of Islam. It is simply a matter of opinion and choice.
Too often that choice gets forgotten in Western society, and when that suppression of opinion turns into a "frenzy", the whole meaning of acceptance and tolerance gets blurred.
Related article:
Why does Islam not accept homosexuality?
Sometimes both are used synonymously with each other; however there is a much greater contrast between the two.
For example, if I were to say that we do not accept homosexuality, nor would we promote homosexuality, nor celebrate it, nor encourage it, that does not necessarily mean that we want to "rid the world of its abomination".
On the contrary, our religion teaches tolerance and respect for God's creatures. We also believe that we have no authority to judge someone based on their circumstances, because that is a matter purely for God to decide based on the complexity of each individual's life and their influences throughout their life.
With regards to acceptance, the similitude is like that of an atheist who does not accept Christianity, nor would they promote Christianity, nor spiritually celebrate it, nor encourage it. That would not necessarily mean that they would discriminate against a Christian. Although lately there is a wave of anti-religious rhetoric that seems to seep its way into today's society - becoming almost a fashion statement to patronise spirituality - it would be unfair for me to generalise.
The problem with today's society is that it has become taboo to disagree with one person's choice of lifestyle, almost as an attempt to silence the freedom of speech of one group over another. Rather than gays coming "out of the closet", the minority have been proverbially bullied into it. There is an undeniable attempt to assimilate today's minority in Western society rather than allowing them to integrate into society and still maintain their cultures and beliefs - these are also two words very often confused with regards to people's opportunity to give opinions.
I work in an office with many who are open and proud of their sexual preference. I work well with them in a healthy team environment and they are witness to the utmost respect I show for them. Simply because I do not agree with their choice of lifestyle does not change the professional friendship I have with them, especially since I would not get insulted when someone disagrees with the practices of Islam. It is simply a matter of opinion and choice.
Too often that choice gets forgotten in Western society, and when that suppression of opinion turns into a "frenzy", the whole meaning of acceptance and tolerance gets blurred.
Related article:
Why does Islam not accept homosexuality?
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