Learn to live and let live<\/p>\n
Recent articles in your paper have given me considerable pause
\nfor thought. Perhaps paradoxically, in this time of new openness
\nin Indonesia, there seems to be evidence of a growing tide of
\nintolerance that should perhaps worry people.<\/p>\n
People are increasingly being forced to accept the demands of
\nunrepresentative religious extremists that may run contrary to
\ntheir own cultural beliefs. These extremists, rather unfairly, I
\nfeel, seem to make no allowances for those that they dictate to.<\/p>\n
I had always been under the perhaps mistaken impression that
\nmonotheisms largely professed to be tolerant of other beliefs.
\nIf I am correct in this, it does seem rather unfortunate that
\nthis message has been lost on those who are most vocal in their
\nprofession of faith.<\/p>\n
Arguably, if events continue in the same vein, those who will
\nlearn most are people who are forced to learn tolerance and
\nacceptance for the intolerance that they suffer at the hands of
\nothers. Another paradox, perhaps -- given that the upcoming month
\nof fasting is perhaps meant to serve as a period of learning and
\ntolerance for those who seek to oppress them.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, I wonder if the roles were reversed -- if these
\nextremists were to face the same type of dictates and
\nrestrictions, had their behavior in their everyday lives
\nthreatened -- whether they would begin to understand the
\nunfairness of their demands and perhaps become more tolerant of
\nthe differences that exist between different people. Could they
\nperhaps learn to live and let live?<\/p>\n
As a layman, it is quite possible that I do not fully
\nunderstand this issue and I would welcome any insights into this
\nthorny issue.<\/p>\n
ROSS JG GULLIVER<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/learn-to-live-and-let-live-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }