Parents tell me “I teach my kids tolerance.”   And they say it with such pride.  But I don’t like it when they say that.  In my mind, Tolerance is not such a great word and not such a great thing to be teaching our kids.  I often hear the word “Tolerance” mostly used when it comes to gays or kids who are different.  So I looked up the word in the dictionary just to be clear about what it means and if it matches what’s in my mind. 

Definition of TOLERANCE per Merriam-Webster

1: capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina

2a : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own

2b : the act of allowing something : toleration

3: the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece

4a (1) : the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult especially with repeated use or exposure <developed a tolerance to painkillers>; also : the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen (2) : relative capacity of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor b : the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food

I guess I always feel that when someone says I teach tolerance, I think you are teaching your kid to put up with someone of something (2b).  Why can’t we teach our kids to love everyone?  Isn’t it the Christian way to do so?  Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. [Matthew 7:120] Love thy neighbor as you love thyself [Matthew 19:16] Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43)

To me, when we teach love to our kids, when we teach them to treat others like they want to be treated, then that shows our love for God as well.  Because if we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we grow to recognize that everyone is part of His creation.