What is tolerance?

We hear a lot these days about a thing called tolerance. We’re supposed to be tolerant of this, that and the other, whether it be a person’s religious beliefs, sexual orientation, political sway, or any number of other things.

The one that I take issue with is religious tolerance. I don’t mean to say that we should be hell-bent on a “my way or the highway” type attitude. I’m just a little fed up with the practice of religious tolerance in this country being limited to pretty much every faith but Christianity.

There are so many situations where Christians are discriminated against while other religions are protected. I found two recent situations where Christians were banned from wearing cross necklaces in the workplace while other religious symbols, such as Sikh bracelets, Muslim hijabs and Jewish skullcaps were protected by the dress codes.

In the United Kingdom, Nadia Eweida, a British Airways employee, has appealed to three different judges for a decision that she is a victim of religious discrimination. In a final appeal this month, it was decided by the courts that British Airways can reasonably ban Christian employees from wearing a cross at work.

What is so frustrating about this ban is that is doesn’t apply to any other religion. The courts say their reason for allowing people of other faiths to wear religious items is that those items are essential, or in the “rule book,” for those religions. Their argument is that Christians aren’t required to wear the cross and so it’s not really discrimination.

While we may not be sent straight to hell for not wearing a cross necklace every day, why is it up to a secular court to decide what acts or symbols are essential to a person’s faith?

I always wear a silver ring with footprints on it, in reference to the “Footprints in the Sand” poem as a constant reminder and a sign to others of who I am and what I believe in. The Bible doesn’t tell me to wear that ring, but for me personally, it is as essential a reminder as any Jewish skullcap or Muslim hijab.

Somehow I see this situation playing out differently had Nadia been a Jew wearing a Star of David or a Kabbalist with a red string bracelet. That certainly wouldn’t be news. I’m pretty sure the airline never would have made an effort to ban wither of those symbols, among many others, simply because they “aren’t essential to the faith.” It's unthinkable to offend any religion but Christianity.

I realize that I may offend some people with this blog and, while that’s not my intention, I know it’s probably unavoidable. Therefore, I won’t lose any sleep over it. If I do offend you, I apoligize for the perceived slight but I don’t apologize for what I’ve said. It’s what I believe. I wouldn’t ask you to apologize to me for your faith.

What I want to see happen is true tolerance. It’s a pretty far-fetched and probably impossible aim, but it sure sounds nice in theory. I want people to be tolerant of my religion, Christianity, along with the rest.

I just don’t understand why in this age it’s the accepted practice to make fun of and belittle the “fanatical Christians” but we’re deathly afraid of offending anyone of a different religion.