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I wasn’t aware the quote wasn’t considered relevant today. But in the same vein, tolerance has a similar implication: acceptance without understanding.

Compassion is usually read as acceptance despite no understanding. You don’t have to like things people do, or even the people themselves. But it’s always best to treat them as humans up front.

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sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works ⁨14⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
It’s absolutely relevant, I just pointed out it’s not a quote from Jesus or the apostles. That’s all. I believe it’s a quote Jesus would whole heartedly agree with though.

Compassion is usually read as acceptance despite no understanding.

Maybe, but like “tolerance,” I think people attach more meaning to it, twisting it to something like “feeling bad for someone.”

Let’s use an example of homosexuality from the perspective of your average Christian:

tolerance - allow gay people in your church, but don’t do anything proactive about it

compassion - feel bad for gay people, and offer to help them overcome it

The first largely ignores the issue, though there’s certainly some hidden prejudice. The second confronts the issue in a way that’s likely to offend (a gay person doesn’t see anything wrong, it’s the way they are).

My perspective is we should be more like the first than the second, but without the prejudice. Compassion should also be there, but without the preconceived notion of what’s best for that person.

People have twisted “tolerance” into “turning a blind eye” toward something, and I think that’s overloading the term a bit too much. Tolerance and compassion are two sides of the same coin.
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