December 23: Day 176

STONE THIRTEEN
 
Love: I learn to deepen my ability to love when I learn to tolerate, accept, embrace, and forgive. I choose to employ these attributes to my spiritual walk, to my personal relationships, and to my world view.
 
Instruction: Put love into action.

We have seen the concept of putting love into action explained in a variety of ways by religious leaders and others. Some say that when we give money to the religious organization we follow we are putting love into action, the old “put your money where your mouth is” concept. We’ve heard religious leaders urge us to “save the lost,” and by doing so, we are putting love into action. Besides religious leaders, other public figures have encouraged us to put love into action by giving to a cause, volunteering to help in a crisis, and by supporting whatever program they believe will make a difference. I don’t mean to disparage these definitions of “putting love into action,” but I think there is, at times, a measure of manipulation and self-interest involved. It is with a little reluctance that I propose we put love into action, because I don’t want to be guilty of manipulation or self-interest.

Perhaps the words of Stone Thirteen can lend some help: “I learn to deepen my ability to love when I learn to tolerate, accept, embrace, and forgive.” In these words, we don’t have a direct call to action that has us pick up a banner, a shovel, or open our checkbook. These words call forth action in our thinking and in our hearts. They are demanding words that would open our eyes to see our world as one family. Each word challenges us to new ways of being. Toleration[1] is difficult for many, especially when they have been taught intolerance. Any religion that believes their way is the only way, that all other religions are false, and that they serve false gods, teaches intolerance. There is no way of knowing which religion is the one true path, which seems like a shame if everyone else is doomed. Tolerance is the beginning of bringing our world together, finding global peace, and a foundational stone of love. This is a good place to start. This is part of what it means to put love into action.

If you have been taught that there is only one correct religious path, are you able to see the intolerance that often accompanies that belief? Being able to tolerate different religious beliefs and to even find meaning and hope in the words of religious leaders that are different from the ones associated with your brand of religion is often the starting point of religious freedom both personally and globally.

Today’s Assignment is to consider where you stand on religious tolerance. This concept of tolerance often comes to religious beliefs last, but perhaps religions should lead the way.
 

[1] permission by law or government of the exercise of religions other than an established religion; noninterference in matters of private faith and worship. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/toleration?s=t