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Those are the battles that we willingly join- the battles against ignorance and intolerance. Speech in Opposition to the Iraqi War, Chicago October 2nd, 2002, in Newsweek special commemorative edition, Februray 9, 2008, page 59 And as you said, it’s not just Christians, and we’ve got to make sure, one thing I think is very important for us to do on all of these issues is to lead by example. That’s why I think it’s so important for us to have religious tolerance here in the United States.
Barack Obama in Saddleback Presidential Forum, August 16, 2008 "For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
U.S. President Obama: "Partnership with the Muslim world to be restored with language of respect" President Obama's first TV interview with Al Arabiya (Dubai) - January 27, 2009 "Those who say that I am not Islamic enough should reread their Koran. Islam is about inclusion,tolerance,community." Abdurrahman Wahid, President of Indonesia from 1999-2001, the world's most populous Muslim nation now numbering 235 million The test of courage comes when you are in the minority. What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so. I detest what you write - but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.
in our inadequate languages, that these small variations may not be signals of hatred and persecution. Prayer for Tolerance by Voltaire, 18th century
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful “Do not contend with the people of the Book except in the The Holy Qur’an, al-Ankabut, 29:49 Mohammed No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself
Markus Love your neighbour as yourself 12.33
Do not impose on others what yourself do not desire. The Analects, XV:24, Konfuzius Intolerance of ambiguity is the mark of an authoritarian personality. Collective fear stimulates herd instinct; and tends to produce ferocity towards those who are not regarded as members of the herd. The capacity for getting along with our neighbour depends to a large extent on the capacity for getting along with ourselves.The self-respecting individual will try to be as tolerant of his neighbor’s shortcomings as he is of his own. The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbour as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant towards others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. We prone others to sacrifice others when we are ready to sacrifice ourselves. A war is not won if the defeated enemy has not been turned into a friend. Laws alone can not secure freedom of expression. In order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.
The price of the democratic way of life is a growing appreciation of people’s differences, not merely as tolerable, but as the essence of a rich and rewarding human experience.
If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can make the world safe for diversity. Ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired. Each time a man stands for an ideal ... he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and ... those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and persistence. If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships- the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace. We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression – everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way – everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want….. The fourth is freedom from fear. Tolerance is the greatest gift of the mind. It requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle. The highest result of education is tolerance Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue- it makes it a requirement for survival. It is the duty of every cultured man or woman to read sympathetically the scriptures of the world. If we are to respect other’s religions as we would have them respected our own, a friendly study of the world’s religions is a sacred duty. If we are to reach real peace in this world we shall have to begin with the children. In the practise of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. The mutual tolerance of Christians in their different professions of religion, I esteen that tolerance to be the chief characteristical mark of the true church. If he be destitute of charity, meekness, and goodwill in general towards all mankind, even to those that are not Christians, he is certainly yet short of being a true Christian himself. No man can be a Christian without charity, and without that faith which works, not by force, but by love. John Locke in: "A Letter concerning tolerance", written in Amsterdam winter 1685/86
One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one´s own self. This, in brief, is the rule of dharma. Yielding to desire and acting differently, one become guilty of adharma XII:113,8
He who for the sake of happiness does not hurt others, who also want happiness, shall hereafter find happiness. 131-2
The nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. 94:5
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. We have guided missiles and unguided men.
I go into the Muslim mosque and the Jewish synagogue and the Christian church and I see one altar.
My country is the world and my religion is to do good. |
U.S. President 
That’s why it’s so important for us, when we are criticizing other countries about rule of law to make sure that we’re abiding by rule of law, and habeas corpus, and we’re not engaging in torture, because that gives us a moral standing to talk about these other issues.
Konfuzius
John F Kennedy
Martin Luther King
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