I attended the CES fireside last night where Dallin H. Oaks spoke about truth and tolerance. One of his main points was that while the world moves increasingly towards moral relativism and away from truth, the need for tolerance in our lives also increases. He quoted Joseph Fielding Smith who said,
"We believe in all truth no matter to what subject it may refer. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. We are willing to receive all truth from whatever source it may come, for truth will stand, truth will endure".
I am currently enrolled in a Survey of World Religions class and this principle, that truth exists in all religions, is a major theme of that class. One of my favorite quotes from my professor there is, "Nobody believes anything that is stupid". I think that this principle applies not only in religious beliefs, but in cultural practices as well. In this "Flat" World that we live in, we are constantly going to come in contact with cultures and beliefs that are foreign to us where we need to exercise tolerance and understanding, as Dallin H. Oaks emphasized. As one who grew up overseas, in Tokyo, Japan, I have had a lot of experience with other cultures. I have not only had to show an understanding for other's beliefs, but I have also been at the receiving end of tolerance and seen how beneficial that kind of accepting attitude can be for a community and for relationships.
In my Introduction to Social Work class we often talk about how the focus of social work is not always to conform the client to the community, but sometimes it is to conform the society to fit the needs of the client, or many clients who are in the same situation, such as homeless people. Similarly, in my Introduction to International Development class we know that the best way to help developing countries progress is not to force modernization ideas on them that force them to conform to our lifestyle. Instead the best way to approach development is through appreciating their culture and working with them to reach a solution that best serves them, and not the other way around. We need to tolerate their unique ideas and understand that what works best for us, is not necessarily what will work best for everyone else.
As this world gets flatter and truly becomes "A Small World After All", having an appreciation for all cultures and beliefs is getting ever so important, as I have learned from an Apostle of the Lord, my own experiences, and at least four professors here at BYU.
"We believe in all truth no matter to what subject it may refer. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. We are willing to receive all truth from whatever source it may come, for truth will stand, truth will endure".
I am currently enrolled in a Survey of World Religions class and this principle, that truth exists in all religions, is a major theme of that class. One of my favorite quotes from my professor there is, "Nobody believes anything that is stupid". I think that this principle applies not only in religious beliefs, but in cultural practices as well. In this "Flat" World that we live in, we are constantly going to come in contact with cultures and beliefs that are foreign to us where we need to exercise tolerance and understanding, as Dallin H. Oaks emphasized. As one who grew up overseas, in Tokyo, Japan, I have had a lot of experience with other cultures. I have not only had to show an understanding for other's beliefs, but I have also been at the receiving end of tolerance and seen how beneficial that kind of accepting attitude can be for a community and for relationships.
In my Introduction to Social Work class we often talk about how the focus of social work is not always to conform the client to the community, but sometimes it is to conform the society to fit the needs of the client, or many clients who are in the same situation, such as homeless people. Similarly, in my Introduction to International Development class we know that the best way to help developing countries progress is not to force modernization ideas on them that force them to conform to our lifestyle. Instead the best way to approach development is through appreciating their culture and working with them to reach a solution that best serves them, and not the other way around. We need to tolerate their unique ideas and understand that what works best for us, is not necessarily what will work best for everyone else.
As this world gets flatter and truly becomes "A Small World After All", having an appreciation for all cultures and beliefs is getting ever so important, as I have learned from an Apostle of the Lord, my own experiences, and at least four professors here at BYU.
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