Not as tolerant as we used to be???

Submitted by CanadianChris (Canada), Oct 6, 2010 at 20:17

F.H. Curmally says...

"Perhaps we are not as tolerant as we used to be at a point in time. "

I wonder who this "We" is that he is referring to? Is it the Western culture which is vulnerable to subversion due to its own ideology of tolerance? Or is he referring to the "tolerance" of the Islamic world?

Don't get me wrong, I am all for tolerance, and acceptance. The idea that a new culture is evolving out of old racial and nationalist ideals is exciting, but it is a difficult path to take, because so many cultures are being embraced by the western world, and these cultures have the ability or inclination to see tolerance as vulnerability. This should simply not be the case. The western world, should only willingly accept those cultures and religions which are willing to turn their back on principles that go against the Universal Declaration of human rights, or against the constitutions of countries which strive to respect ALL people and cultures. When a country is led by one specific culture or religious group, and yet builds into its consitution, a respect for diversity of thought and belief, this can be called a country that is tolerant, yet that same country can and should protect itself against idealism which subverts diversity of thought and belief.

The Western world loves its diversity, but it has its own sense of identity which it wants to protect vigorously. People come together and are happy when they either have a common identity or mutual goal, or hateful when they are focused on the same scapegoat or villain. I personally believe that society is a much better place when we see our neighbors as part of our community instead of as a threat. The onus is truly on Islam to change its own image, because currently, The Islamic world has voiced its derision for western culture and threatened the western world too many times for the west to see Islam beyond its own portrayal as a threat to tolerant society.

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