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RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE 4i
4i
Of course any thesis has in relation to itself an antithesis.
" Omnis determinatio est negatio." But this does not
touch the case of tolerance, which simply admits the
possibility of different views on the same subject. " By
whatever road a man approacheth Me, on that road do I welcome
him." The exclusiveness of Orthodoxy and the branding
of people as heretics who are of a different religious
conviction denote a state of self-assurance and self-satisfaction
which is lacking both in humility and in breadth of
outlook. Did not Jesus Christ himself protest in the most
emphatic manner against the orthodox belief of the Scribes
and Pharisees ? Was it not He who said that the letter
kills and the spirit quickens ? The revolution against
Roman Papacy, fought for the sake of religious freedom,
called the Reformation, achieved much for religious
tolerance, but it has not yet been realised in all its aspects.
The Revolution in Russia may do greater things in relation
to tolerance.
But even tolerance has its limits set by the ethical side of
religion. If a religion embodies practices which are contrary
to the law and the moral principles laid down by the State,
it cannot be tolerated—as, for instance, the polygamy of the
Mormons, or the self-mutilation of certain sects in Russia ;
and if a religious belief professes intolerance, it cannot be
adhered to by those who profess tolerance.
A quaint and significant story tells us that a member of
a denomination which thought it possessed the monopoly of
religious truth was, after having been released from this
mortal life, being shown his new surroundings by the Apostle
Peter. They came to an enclosure from which the singing
of church hymns could be heard. The apostle remarked :
" Tread softly, that we may not be heard by those inside,
who believe that they are the only ones in heaven " ! It
is precisely this advice, " Tread softly," which contains the
essence of tolerance, allowing as it does for diversity of
religious belief, in perfect harmony with the religion which
places goodwill, charity, and love at the head of its teaching.
It may be concluded, therefore, that uniformity of belief,
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