A Kinder World
By Tia, Bekah
2/22/2008
Is it possible to have a peaceful world? What would happen if everyone were tolerant of differences in opinions, practices, nationality, culture, personalities, and anything that makes us different from each other? Disagreements, fights, and wars are caused by people who do not respect the differences in others. Intolerance divides groups and tolerance brings them together.
Tolerance is not just agreeing with each other, but it is understanding others point of view. Tolerance is a way to show kindness and understanding to everyone no matter how they are different from you. It means that you have respect for people's differences. A long time ago, this usually meant that people tolerated ethnic and religious differences. Now, when people talk about tolerance it can include gender, physical or mental disabilities, or anything else that makes someone different from you. When you show tolerance it does not mean you give up your own customs, heritage, or beliefs.
It is important to try to learn from others and try to put yourself in their place. Communication between people who are different is important. If one group has harmed another there may be bad feelings and resentment. This is the time to ask and show forgiveness. Showing tolerance does not mean that all behavior should be accepted, like being unkind or doing things that are hurtful to people.
Most kids learn tolerance from their parents. Kids develop values mostly by the example their parents set for them. When parents show tolerance and kindness, their children usually do the same.
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20 comments:
Tolerance is something that should be modeled by parents, but often it is not. And, even if it is modeled, do you think our culture--and the influence of media--encourages being tolerant?
I believe you can show more adults how to live by modeling your tolerant and peaceful means of living. Kudos to each of you for contributing your voice (and hopefully your practice) to growing a more peaceful and respectful world!
I think part of tolerance is learning to really listen to others.
Stephen Covey writes about this in his book Seven Habits for Highly Effective People. He sets out one habit--"First, Listen" which I think is very important.
Sometimes we have our own opinions or we get defensive about something and start thinking of how we are going to respond, and then we stop listening.
So, I think a way to work on being more tolerant is to practice the act of listening.
We have a lot to learn from those different from ourselves.
Thanks for the excellent post!
Great blog--hats off to all you Kindness Kids who're using the blogosphere and your own voices, hearts, and ideas to make a difference.
One quick thought about your "what is tolerance" poll. I'm thinking that you may believe the second answer, "understanding someone's differences," is the better answer. I would myself be more interested in a poll where the alternatives aren't weighted in one direction. Just a thought.
Keep on doing your great work!
I am so affirmed as an educator and as an adult by your blog. It is really important that tolerance and kindness be part of our actions towards one another and not just towards the people who look and act like we do. Good for you for posting this item and carrying this message forward.
What a great message you are sending out to the world! I also believe "you get what you give"..in everything! So, if you are kind to others, they will be kind to you and I always try to help people, because so many people come back and help me!
MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!
Cindy Lane
this is all to true in todays world and parents are the ones who set the example i agree with this all to well
this is a great message your sending to people...kids mostly. most kids don't understand how to tolerate people and are mean about it.
Well, I think there can be manu cases in which "tolerance" is acceptable. However, I also find there are cases where "tolerance" is not a plausible choice. Say you are a Christian, and you believe that it is a FACT that the only way in which one can enter heaven is through belief in Christ. This conflicts with the Jewish belief that the Messiah has yet to come. If you TRULY believe that one of these truths is right, then you would argue your case seriously. Cultural relevance is an idea that has become popular lately, and to be honest, I'm sick of it. How can two conflicting ideas be true? They CAN'T. And that is the issue many people fail to see. If you disagree, that is fine. But the truth is, there can only be one truth.
When Brock says "If you disagree, that is fine," he is practicing tolerance. If someone hits you over the head with a rock when you disagree, that is intolerance. And it hurts! I think the world would make a huge leap forward if we could all agree to disagree without finding it necessary to attempt to "force" agreement.
Injustice is different than "disagreement." It usually travels hand in hand with intolerance. Many people in history have operated on the assumption that if you do not agree with their beliefs, you do not deserve just treatment. That leads to misery and war.
You're cracking me up. I think I actually got off topic and started preaching on cultural relevance rather than tolerance. My apologies. My point was that if you believe something is true over what someone else believes is true, a higher authority must be sought out to decided what is the absolute truth. When this is not possible, you get conflict. That is why world peace is not achievable.
I am having that problem now . My friends arne't nice to me any more.
Emily
If we could all jsut tolerate murderers, the world would be a better place and there would be less crowding in prisons. Murder is just another of expression right? And if there is no one to dictate whether it is right or wrong to kill, anyone should be allowed to murder and others should tolerate it, right? I hope someone sees the flaw in this logic other than me.
The blogs reads, "If one group has harmed another there may be bad feelings and resentment. This is the time to ask and show forgiveness. Showing tolerance does not mean that all behavior should be accepted, like being unkind or doing things that are hurtful to people." Certainly, there is and should be punishment for murders, theives, and lawbreakers. Showing tolerance does not mean letting cruely and crimes go unpunished. I believe Jesus himself said, "Love your enemies"...
I think it was really nice to do this and let us see it.I think more people should know what kindness is.
Heather
this story is very informal about tolerence and is a grate thing for children to read. this is a very cool.
iam haveing the same problem
I think being kind and nice to people in your community is a great thing because one day they may need help or you and if you've been nice /kind to them they could help you and you could help them.
BY:Ally
I think a kinder world good.
J.Mitchell
I think to make the world a better place is to place sighns on the streets that say make the world better.
Tolerance is a way to show kindnesss. I thank Tolerance means
nice people.
Matti
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