Hello Bob,

>BA>Had I been the mall owner or manager those religious displays would
>BA>have been gone the same day.  You folks just don't respect *other*
>BA>people's beliefs, especially when they are diametrically opposed to
>BA>your own.

>JS>Bob, as I have often told my readers, there is a very big difference
>JS>between respecting another person's right to believe as they wish,
>JS>and actually respecting their specific beliefs. Every American
>JS>citizen has the right to believe as they wish, but that most
>JS>certainly does NOT mean that we Christians need to accept or respect
>JS>their beliefs, and we most certainly don't when those beliefs are
>JS>contrary to what we are taught in God's Word, the Bible. You can
>JS>believe whatever you want, but no one is forced to accept your
>JS>beliefs, or to respect them. By taking down those religious displays
>JS>as you say you would do, are you respecting the beliefs of those who
>JS>put them up? Most certainly not!

BA>I was until one or more of them destroyed a display that disagreed with thei
BA>own.  If they aren't going to respect other peoples' beliefs and rights why
BA>should anybody else respect theirs?

Reciprocity.  If one group (or individual) shows tolerance for
another group (or individual), that other group (or individual)
should be expected to do the same.

That is not the same thing as saying all groups (or individuals) should
be tolerated, as that would be giving tacit approval to what that group
(or individual) is doing.  For example, should the world have tolerated
the actions of Adolf Hitler and his Nazis in the way the Jews, Gypsies,
and others were treated?  Not at all.  Sometimes a line must be drawn
in the sand.

>JS>You are preaching one thing, while doing quite another. You
>JS>demand tolerance, but refuse to show the same tolerance. That
>JS>makes you a hypocrite, doesn't it?

BA>Nope.  Nor am I a hypocrite that claims to be tolerant but who supports
BA>acts of intolerance.

If one supports human rights, he/she must be willing to promote and
to defend human rights everywhere.  Not just in one's own backyard.
If that means being criticized, and stepping on others' toes, so be
it.

--Lee


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