Editorial - Published On GospelWeb 4/18/12: @ http:/www.gospelweb.net

TOLERANCE

Tolerance is the buzz word of today. As I look up “toleration” in the dictionary, here is what I find:

(1) allowance given to that which is not wholly approved, and

(2) recognition of the right of private judgment in religion. Look at the first definition.

When you are asked to be tolerant of something, there is also an admittance that the “something” is not approved, according to the dictionary. Tolerance means to allow that which is by definition, not approved. The hot spot of toleration today is concerning homosexuality. The plea to condone homosexuality is a plea for acceptance disguised in the cloak of tolerance, which leads to promotion.

Homosexuality is already tolerated. Homosexuals who are open about their deviance, enjoy an extremely high degree of tolerance. They can hold public office, vote, go to college, own land and buildings, rent property, own businesses, flaunt their abomination in public parades, teach in public schools, just to name a few freedoms they enjoy. They already enjoy extreme tolerance.

What they want is endorsement and validation of their perversion, which can then be used as a foothold to declare it as normal as heterosexuality. Notice when the homo-friendly media and entertainment industry portray homosexuals, they are painted as being brighter, warmer, more compassionate, sensitive, and more loveable than normal people. Let me repeat myself: homosexuals could not have a higher level of endorsement and tolerance than they now experience. And lest we forget, homosexuality is open rebellion against God in his design of distinction of the sexes.

Now notice the second part of the definition: recognition of the right of private judgment in religion. If anything, this right is never tolerated by homosexuals, the mainstream media, liberals, and God-haters. Tolerance becomes an empty word, if you, the recipient, are conservative and Christian. Preachers in Sweden have been arrested for preaching against homosexuality. Some areas in Canada already have a form of this discrimination. This hateful discrimination is making inroads rapidly here in the USA. We have been asked to be tolerant of homosexuality until we are ready to choke on it.

The most effective way of forcing tolerance on the unsuspecting is to rename things and this tactic is being used in other areas. (1) We have tolerated abomination and called it gay. (2) We have tolerated murder through abortion and called it choice. (3) We tolerate the lies and scare tactics of liberals and call it politics. (4) We tolerate a religion whose holy book produces and promotes terrorism and then call Islam peaceful. In practicing wholesale tolerance, we deny the absolute standard of right or wrong, and give approval to that which has not been approved.

The Bible has a word on this issue: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5: 20-21.

What you tolerate, you approve and what you approve, you promote.

Joseph Harris has been a pastor and Bible college professor since 1986. (This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear). The writings of Joseph Harris are based on his beliefs and views and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and views of Southeastern Baptist College. His writings have appeared on stupidpoliticians.com, the Sword of the Lord, WorldNet Daily, Conservative Daily News, Intellectual Conservative, Canada Free Press, Land of the Free, and The Post Chronicle. Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.