Learn to live and let live

Learn to live and let live

Recent articles in your paper have given me considerable pause
for thought. Perhaps paradoxically, in this time of new openness
in Indonesia, there seems to be evidence of a growing tide of
intolerance that should perhaps worry people.

People are increasingly being forced to accept the demands of
unrepresentative religious extremists that may run contrary to
their own cultural beliefs. These extremists, rather unfairly, I
feel, seem to make no allowances for those that they dictate to.

I had always been under the perhaps mistaken impression that
monotheisms largely professed to be tolerant of other beliefs.
If I am correct in this, it does seem rather unfortunate that
this message has been lost on those who are most vocal in their
profession of faith.

Arguably, if events continue in the same vein, those who will
learn most are people who are forced to learn tolerance and
acceptance for the intolerance that they suffer at the hands of
others. Another paradox, perhaps -- given that the upcoming month
of fasting is perhaps meant to serve as a period of learning and
tolerance for those who seek to oppress them.

Ultimately, I wonder if the roles were reversed -- if these
extremists were to face the same type of dictates and
restrictions, had their behavior in their everyday lives
threatened -- whether they would begin to understand the
unfairness of their demands and perhaps become more tolerant of
the differences that exist between different people. Could they
perhaps learn to live and let live?

As a layman, it is quite possible that I do not fully
understand this issue and I would welcome any insights into this
thorny issue.

ROSS JG GULLIVER

Jakarta