It has always bugged me....
By Oneironaut
@_sketch_ (5742)
United States
February 7, 2011 11:00pm CST
The growing popularity and misuse of the word "tolerance".
It has become quite a trend to use the word "tolerance" when discussing human rights, religion in particular.
Let's look at the definition of "tolerance" shall we:
[i]1: capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina
2a: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own [/i]
The second is the new usage of the word and the one I have concern for.
Refer back to the first definition. Think of what that means for you. Now look at the second definition. Why did they choose to use this word?
I am sick of hearing/seeing this word!! The word I want to see?
[b]
ACCEPTANCE[/b]
Do we really know what we are saying? We should not merely tolerate
or "put up with" people who are different from us. We should accept people for who they are.
To me, tolerate sounds like such a negative word. It sounds like we don't really like what people are doing, but we just put up with it. Acceptance sounds so welcoming. ie. to accept with open arms.
Tolerance- "..well if you have to I guess it's okay."
Acceptance- "You are great just how you are."
What do you think??
1 person likes this
6 responses
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
8 Feb 11
Wow, are you ever right! I hadn't realized that I myself have been using the wrong word and using the word "tolerance" improperly for years. I mean, I've been told by numerous doctors I have a high tolerance for pain; obviously PAIN isn't a good thing, but I can "tolerate" it. When I speak of myself and others as being tolerant of people of different religious faiths or ethnicity, I don't mean to compare these people to something I'd really prefer to avoid, i.e. "pain".
I'm going to start now to try to train myself to use the word I really mean - acceptance IS the much better choice and it's the message I've meant to convey all along. Thank you for a valuable "lesson"!
Annie
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
7 May 11
Acceptance is a much better word.
I think that there are people that actually do tolerate though..it is hard for them to accept anothers belief system because they believe so strongly in their own. It is much more welcoming to say acceptance but the truth is that acceptance is to let something in....people do not often let things into their life that they do not agree with or believe in...that is when the tolerance word might come into play. If there was a general usage of both these words when it comes to cultures and religions, it would certainly clear up any questions as to where one stood on them. The unfortunate thing is that most people would use the word tolerance. Great points!
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
7 May 11
I don't think that one has to let beliefs into their life to accept that others hold those beliefs; to accept those people for being differently than them. But you are right, many don't accept them for who they are; many want to change others to be like them, so they only tolerate those people.
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
1 May 11
reading that definition I have the same problem you have with it
I like the word "acceptance" much better.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
1 May 11
I like it much better too. Maybe one day people will start using it more.
@jennyze (7028)
• Indonesia
8 Feb 11
Personally I like the word: Acceptance. When people accepting something, it's normally without a 'but'. When people tolerating something, it's normally 50-50, or there is a 'but' in it. So, when people says: I tolerate your ..., be careful he/she would explode one day and would not tolerate anymore.
@Gameslayer007 (862)
• United States
8 Feb 11
To me they mean the same thing.
Bare minimum.
It's not like they say welcome. If I hear those words I think, well I guess we have too, not well I can't wait.
@danise19 (16)
• Philippines
2 May 11
You've made a definitely strong point. This is absolutely applicable in religions, you know sometimes if we can't believe something within our principle we use this term. And mostly with one's body issues, they can't fully accept their god given gift.
