Religious Tolerance

Quenton Tarantino movies... Madonna's sex appeal... Religious bigotry... There are some things I just don't get. It takes nothing away from my faith to acknowledge the sincerity of your faith, no matter how different our beliefs may be.

I was on a public forum discussing whether Glenn Beck is an alarmist or not and, it was inevitable, his Mormonism came up. Here's the ignorant comment:

I am surprised that no one has mentioned that Glenn is a Mormon. I think it is common knowledge that among other things they hoard food, supplies and believe the world is going to end any minute now.

Innocuous enough, but it reveals an easy, benign bigotry. Does this guy even know any Mormons? You won't find a more neighborly, self-sufficient and patriotic group of people than LDS folk. They built much of the West and still maintain some of that pioneer spirit. Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints maintains an extensive charity network that, like the Catholic Church, turns no one away.

Antisemitism still lurks as well. Lately its been dressed up in criticism of "Neocons," and "Zionists." Again I ask the question: Do these bigots actually know any Jewish people? Would they be willing to criticize a Jew to his face? Do they realize Albert Einstein and Jonas Salk were Jewish? Not to mention Cecil B. DeMille, the Three Stooges and Adam Sandler.

A final thought: Whatever your religion, there are literally billions of people in this world who disagree with your beliefs. Thank God for religious tolerance.