Accepting Our Differences in a Complex World

“In a republic we must learn to combine intensity of conviction with a broad tolerance of difference of conviction. Wide differences of opinion in matters of religious, political, and social belief must exist if conscience and intellect alike are not to be stunted.”   -Theodore Roosevelt

Not only within our extraordinarily rich and complex world are there vast differences in our cultures, our backgrounds, our lifestyles and our values but also within our very own extended families and local communities. It is possible if not essential to raise our children with a respect for the ways of others. This teaching helps us form more loving families in spite of our differences. This is Key 7 and it unlocks the doors of prejudice and judgment that can make family members feel unsafe with one another.

Each of the major religions has an instruction such as “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” In Hinduism, it is “A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on his neighbor as himself.” and in Buddhism, “Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy” and in Islam, “No one is a believer until he loves for his neighbor, and for  his brother, what he loves for himself.” All of the great spiritual teachers have pointed to the truth of the oneness of our human family.