There is a great fear within the Australian community, the fear that we, as a society, will be labelled as racist and shown to be intolerant to anyone different than us. These worries are partly due to the unrest that has settled after some attacks on Indian students. The actions of a few law-breakers, it seems, reflect badly on the people of Melbourne.

Tolerance is a way of life for those wishing to live as a community. One should be tolerant of road rules, of the elderly, of whiny spouses… The list is endless and the message clear, discrimination will not be suffered by Australia. But how does this view stack up biblically? Well, firstly we are similar to every other person on this planet in many ways. We are all made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and we all have the chance to accept Jesus as our Lord (John 3:16). So everyone is alike in the two most fundamental traits. Furthermore, we are to treat our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). This commandment alone emanates tolerance.

The problem is that we live in a fallen world where others almost always take a back seat to our own interests. Hence, in reality, none of us are particularly considerate of anyone else. As such the best one can achieve is tolerance. The non-committed/uninterested train commuter’s relationship to another person on public transport encapsulates tolerance in action. As Christians we are called to be more than tolerant, we are called to be loving. And loving doesn’t mean minding our own business. It doesn’t mean stepping gently to make sure no discriminatory toes are stood on. It is our role to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and reflect God’s glory by shining as stars (Philippians 2:15). Instead we get caught up in this mass phenomenon that is tolerance and remain ignorant to the lives surrounding us.

Tolerance cannot be treated as an absolute goal. There are many circumstances, within society, where either law or morals dictate we be intolerant. For instance, we do not tolerate law-breakers. Society, through the criminal law, denounces the actions of an offending perpetrator. Sometimes it is seen as being immoral to be tolerant. An example of this is a religious extremist who seeks to end lives. So we are told by society to be both tolerant and intolerant. When exaggerated attempts at being tolerant occur two or more perspectives clash and one has to give. The idea of teaching all people tolerance is a paradox in itself as it fails to be, in any way, tolerant.

So what is the answer? As Christians we are called to love. One can love without being tolerant and one can be tolerant without loving. Sometimes it is our role to be prejudiced in order to love. If you are seeking to treat others as your neighbour then your actions should be much greater than tolerance and more like love.