Intolerance and Hypocrisy

I've been seeing a lot of anger about intolerance lately; an unwillingness to tolerate or respect opinions or beliefs contrary to one's own. Nevertheless, and this may shock some, but I honestly believe that no one has to tolerate or respect everything or everyone. I wouldn't tolerate or respect a rapist or murderer for instance. As in trust or respect, maybe tolerance is an earned thing too, via education and understanding and not with heated demands.

Furthermore, demanding tolerance and respect when it's not returned, angrily despising something in another that someone also does themselves, only shows that they're no different. It's actually placing themselves on the same level they're judging. This is called hypocrisy; pretending to be better than another when one's actions show otherwise. As if the Golden Rule should apply to everyone but them.

This behavior creates negativity that many wish to shun. We tend to avoid situations that we cannot control or do not have the energy to combat ... leaving it up to others who can. There's nothing wrong in separating oneself from another's negative behavior; it's our instinct for survival. Many times, we choose to separate ourselves from things we find offensive. For example, the aforementioned intolerance and hypocrisy, but also bigotry, violence or other negativity. Just as we separate ourselves from wild animals for our survival.

Also, I would like to add that another's behavior isn't always what we see in ourselves either. This is something I've had controversy with for years. The metaphysical community has tried to manipulate many into believing that seeing things in others means that we see the same in ourselves or we couldn't recognize this behavior ... a mirror image. This is not always the truth. Unless our belief system incorporates our soul's knowledge, which many are still unaware of this area. 

Even so, that theory is still flawed. For you see, humans have the power of observation. We have the power of education. We have the power of distinguishing right from wrong. When we utilized those powers, we see truths that we've gained through observation, education, and discernment. We may see someone as intolerant or a hypocrite because we've learned what those words mean. It's not always within us. 

Just as we call a tiger for what it is and not because we are one or were possibly one in a past life. Just as we call someone a particular race, when we're not of that race and may never have been. This is not a judgement ... it's a fact.

Pointing out intolerance or hypocrisy are words we use to express our feelings based on the definition of said words. Like knowing the differences of color, trees or birds, for instance. However, it's the emotions behind the words which should be more important. These emotions help us utilize those above mentioned powers, along with intuition, to determine who's really being intolerant or a hypocrite and why.

Just some thoughts to ponder.