Times have changed, and our conversations change with the times ...sometimes stepping beyond.

Co-authored by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler ...entitled The New Tolerance, is a good read showing much insight into where we stand today, or fall.

Following on their line, let me take liberty to add my own version ...I'm sure they won't mind.

If you think you are more tolerant than the majority of people you know, take this test. The test is not graded as a usual test, but by your own evaluation on how you feel while reading the story.  Here goes:

Shari went to college and met Chalmer.

Shari: You'll love him, Mom ...he's so sweet, not to mention attractive.  And he treats me like a queen.

Mom: I was always hoping you'd meet someone special. Your dad never treated me right ...he treated me as an equal.  Wow, like a queen, you say!!

Shari: I know, I continue to pray you meet someone else ...someone who'd make you happy.

Mom: Maybe someday ...I'm just happy you've found someone. When do I get to meet him?

Shari: Well, he's actually outside in the car ...and he wants to take us out to eat.

Mom: That sounds fabulous ...let's go!

Shari: I just have to say something first ...before we go.

Mom: Sure ...we've always been able to talk about everything.

Shari: Well, you have taught me a lot ...but, you've also told me that there are things I have to decide for myself.  And Chalmer has also shown me a lot ...like ...that people can be different, and that doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong.

Mom:  That's true ...that's exactly what I've taught you too.  We need to honor and respect differing value systems ...anything else would be simply intolerant.

Shari: Exactly ...and it's okay how a person is, as long as they treat you right.

Mom: Right.

Shari: And Chalmer treats me like a queen ...and I asked him to treat you like one too; and he agreed.

Mom: I can't wait to meet him.  What restaurant did you two decide upon?

Shari: We didn't decide upon a restaurant, Chalmer doesn't like restaurant food.  He suggested we pack a picnic lunch.

Mom: Oh, I love picnics ...how about I make some sandwiches for us all?

Shari: That's not necessary, Mom ...we have everything taken care of.  Chalmer got you and me a carry-out pizza.

Mom: Oh, you told him I liked pizza ...that was so thoughtful of him.

Shari: Chalmer laughed when I told him you liked vegetarian pizza.

Mom: I hope you got a pizza he likes too.

Shari: Oh, he doesn't like pizza.  But, he likes to keep a head of things ...and he already packed his lunch.  Like some people carry dried fruit with them as a snack, it's something like that, except Chalmer is a cannibal.

Mom: Yes, to each his own ...or to his own neighbor.

Shari: I love you, Mom.  I told Chalmer you'd understand ...you're the most tolerant and wonderful person I know.

Mom: Chalmer ...that's such an endearing unique name.  I never heard of it, but I like it!

Shari: He said his ancestors are from a South American tribe ...Jivaro, or something like that. He's named after his late father ...the name Chalmer means, head of household.  I'm sure Chalmer will love you ...and if you show enough interest, he'll probably show you his father some day.

This is not intended to be like any Hannibal humor, and I'm not going to Lecter you on the ill effects of zombie or vampire movies. I probably have already done that in one of my other blogs. What I will say, is not in telling ...but, in asking you how different or far removed it is from the moral degradation put into practice during the hacking up of a baby in the womb??

The Jivaros, famous for shrinking human heads, feared the fierce neighboring Aucas of Ecuador. 

The Aucas killed for sport, lust, jealousy, out of simple irritation, or even as a joke.  Yet, after her husband Jim's murder by these people, Elisabeth Elliot committed herself to reaching out to them.

Why??

I believe the greatest example of tolerance is that shown to us by God.

There is a purpose to tolerance ...and it is not to tolerate everything, but to tolerate behaviors and heinous acts for the purpose of separating the person from the act.

The most heinous of behaviors is still sin.

Sin is sin ...and though some are termed as much worse, God merely wants us to separate from the sin.

Since sin is separation from God, separation from separation is drawing closer to God ...reconciliation, if you prefer.

God does not tolerate sin ...and we all sin, so how do we even attempt to reconcile the thinking that could possibly lead us to making right with Him??

We can't. 

But, God sent Jesus ...and Jesus consented to it.

It is only through Jesus ...that sin is dealt with.

So, God tolerates us ...and we are to be tolerant, not in accepting that which God is against, but of those whom God would have not be against.

And that is all of us.

God would that none would perish ...though He says many will.

Why??

Because they are not willing to accept Jesus.

I only speak my beliefs on the same stage which is built to destroy the foundations and continuing freedom of my beliefs.

Today's tolerance often means that you have to agree that another person's views are just as valid as your own, yet, this is highly disingenuous ...as Christian's views are not treated that way.  There is an intolerance to Christian views ...and I'm not talking about past misdirected and misinterpreted views, but of present understanding of the Bible.

Those views did not originate in me, and are therefore not mine. I merely accepted the views ...often before I understood them, not just with blind faith, but with seeking the character of God shown throughout the entire Bible, which I feel is not inconsistent.

I stand as your friend, not as Bildad and Zophar stood before Job, hearing the response, "No doubt you are the man ...and wisdom will die with you!!"

This all seems way too similar to Saul Alinsky's rules for radicals:

• #4 ---Make them live up to their own book of rules. You can kill them with it ...because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.  Destroy their credibility and reputation. (As Christians are often an annoyance to many & I am one, it does no good to try to destroy my credibility by pointing out anything in my life ...as I admit I am a sinner. I do wrong and make mistakes ...though my drive and motivation is not to.)
• #8 ---Keep the pressure on. Never let up.  Keep them off balance ...hit them with something new. (The Book of Ecclesiastes, authored by the wise Solomon, who got his wise words from God ...shows us that there is nothing new.)
• #10 ---Provoke others to have to take a stance against you, and then accuse them as being the aggressor and you the hapless victim.
• #12 ---Pick the target, personalize it ...and isolate any sympathizers. (Mature and responsible people don't do as much crying and whining ...and therefore don't often portray that they need help, therefore they often get less sympathy.)

What do you make of that??

What about you??

What rules, guidelines, or standards make up how you choose to live??

With me, the Bible rules as my authority, as God's Word. And everyone deserves respect as a person 'created equal', yet there are those who don't view others as equal ...and sadly, view themselves often higher than the Supreme Being who created them.  We should respect the soul of everyone, not the diminishing values that rob the soul of its substance.