Tolerance: Do we love our neighbors as ourselves? Published April 24, 2009 By Lt. Col. Andrew Kovich 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Tolerance is defined as a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, and nationality differ from one's own. Often, we say we love our neighbor but that love quickly turns to hate when we are wronged in some manner. Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Muslims have been viewed with suspicion, fear, misunderstanding, and sometimes with hatred. Because extremist Muslims have performed acts in the name of Islam, many have labeled a religion that includes nearly 1.5 billion followers as dangerous at best and evil at worst. A characterization that shows the sort of intolerance that is unbecoming to the majority of Americans. Further, such sweeping indictments would be like labeling all Christians in the same light after the hateful actions of David Koresh, Jim Jones, anti-Catholic Protestants in the south or anti-African American Christian clergies during the 1960s -- all truly unfair characterizations. In reality, the Islamic extremism happening, mostly in the Arab world, is a function of poverty, culture and religion. Not religion alone. So, let's begin here by addressing the basics of religious differences in a tough minded manner. Edgar Guest wrote, "I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one any day." With this in mind, how many of us are living a sermon when it comes to loving our Muslim brothers and sisters? Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are the world's three great monotheistic religions who all trace their roots to Abraham. However, the actions of extremists in all camps certainly hinder the love and compassion espoused by all three religions. Indeed, "loving thy neighbor" seems to apply only to those like us. As Americans, we have conquered the challenges of race, gender, and religious persuasion, or have we? Certainly, the ability to love those unlike us has led to great strides within the racial arena and gender is less of a factor in the workplace than it has ever been; but what of our ability to exercise religious tolerance? Some see their religious faith as being incompatible with tolerance for Islam. This is not to say religious beliefs should be ejected from the equation. It is to say that the religious and societal values provide a solid foundation for tolerance based on love and respect. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote of the breadth of life, and described it as "the outward concern for the welfare of others." He did not qualify who the "others" were. He simply called us to be concerned for their welfare. In order to truly be compassionate, Dr. King called us to be tough minded and tender hearted when engaging the world. "The tough mind is sharp and penetrating, breaking through the crust of legends and myths and sifting the true from the false." How many of us have used our tough mind to truly understand what Islam is and is not? If we approach Muslims through the lens of disdain or hatred, are we truly living up to our calling as Americans? As Dr. King said, "There is little hope for us until we become tough minded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truths, and downright ignorance." Indeed, prejudice, half-truths and ignorance are disdainful regardless of what religion one practices or even if one practices no religion at all. Dr. King also spoke of being tender hearted. In this context, the calling was to "love our enemies." This is certainly not easy to do and demands a forgiving spirit, an understanding that the hurt caused to you is not all that a person is, and the ability to win friendship and understanding with your enemies. How often do we strive to live the virtues of tolerance? In our relations with Muslims, we must start with an informed understanding of their basic beliefs. To Muslims, Allah is not the name for a different God; it is simply the Arabic word for the one and only God. In other words, Muslims believe Allah is the same God of Jews and Christians. Where most relational challenges truly lie, are in the philosophical divides of how religious doctrines are practiced. Certainly extremist actions, regardless of religious affiliation, are incompatible with civilized society but we must forgive those who have wronged us, understand that not all 1.5 billion Muslims in the world are evil, and work toward an understanding and friendship with the Muslim community. To fail in this effort is to allow hate to overpower love in our relationships. It is only from this higher ground of tolerance we can begin the useful dialogue that may one day produce peace.