The hot topic these days is the freeze that President Trump put on all immigrants coming into the USA from countries that produce terrorists. Once again, the country is divided over this decision. People want open borders in the name of tolerance. So let’s clarify the meaning of tolerance.
Tolerance used to mean that when one disagreed with another, one would still respect the other person even though there was disagreement. Now, tolerance means that disagreement is not allowed. If one doesn’t embrace another’s point of view, then that person is a bigot, a homophobe, a misogynist, a racist…and any number of names. Do you see the hypocrisy here?
Today’s tolerance means everybody is right; there should be no distinction between an objective right or wrong, and no judging of others. Some people today live as though there is no objective standard of truth. What’s true for you is not true for me. This is relativism at its finest. But we don’t actually live like this, do we? Of course not. We want the truth from every one around us such at doctors, teachers, bankers, co-workers and loved ones. We expect the truth and make life changing decisions based on what we think is true. Objective truth is true no matter what one’s opinion of it. It just is.
Tolerance the way it is viewed today is immoral because it tolerates evil. It is my view that if we tolerate immigrants coming into the USA from countries that align themselves with terrorist ideals, then that is tolerating evil. If we allow sanctuary cities that protect criminals, then that is tolerating evil. There is no common sense in that. Any ideals that don’t enforce laws that are made to protect our people, is evil.
After 911, the TSA requirements changed. People traveling in or out of America now have to remove shoes, and no water bottles are allowed, no sharp objects nor any containers, which hold more than 3 ounces. We get scanned, and we get patted down. I am happy to see these policies in effect because I know they are for my protection. So why is everyone having a tizzy because we need to vet foreigners? The objective truth here is that there are people who hate us that have come into our country to do us harm. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. That is an objectively true fact. That is how 911 happened. To not vet immigrants from countries that promote terrorism is to ignore all common sense and it flies in the face of the objective truth that we know—that terrorists are out to get us. To ignore these wicked intentions is evil, and fails to look out for the best interest of our country. Our president took an oath of office to preserve and protect the constitution of the United States. This immigration move is how he is doing that. It is his job to protect our country and it is his constitutional right. That is the only justification he needs.
It is also true that this vetting will inconvenience many legitimate people coming into our country. They will be stopped and delayed at the airport. Here’s the trade-off: Would you rather have someone’s day inconvenienced and be safe? Or would you rather be tolerant and then see rows of Americans in body bags with toe tags? That is the real question here. There is a cost to being safe, but I am still happy to take off my shoes and throw my water bottle away at the airport.
It is imperative that we consider all the facts of a situation when making judgments. Jesus did not tell us not to judge. People make judgments everyday. We’d be dead if we didn’t. Jesus told us how to judge in Matt. 7. So don’t buy into this lie that Jesus didn’t judge or want us to. The only question is, are your judgments true? Tolerance tolerates evil. It agrees with it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil, is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Tolerance is silence and it is evil.