Meridian Magazine

Accepting Everyone In Their Position

By focusing on commonalities such as shared land, a shared language, our common humanity, universal needs and fears, and so on, we will recognize again that what we have in common far exceeds what sets us apart from each other. Because we need unity far more than division and exclusion, let us for now leave aside discussion of the issues that divide us. This awareness that all people belong to the same family, through their common origin Adam and Eva and desti nati on, should lead to a higher universal responsibility to practice tolerance in our lives.

Dialogue is only possible when we respect each other`s individuality. Such respect for others requires a certain knowledge of the other`s history, historical and cultural development, ways of life, and other factors. Real dialogue is possible only in the presence of mutual knowledge and acceptance of cultural and religious values. Thus, knowledge of others in their cultural setting is essenti al. If we want to dialogue, we should accept them in their position and not

criticize their beliefs and practi ces. If we like to be respected in our own beliefs, we should respect the beliefs of others. Our actions should always be based on positive moti ves. That is to say, what moti vates our actions should be the love of our own outlook, not the enmity of others' outlooks.

If you wish to defeat your enemy, respond to his evil with good. For if you respond with evil, enmity will increase, and even though he will be outwardly defeated, he will nurture hatred in his heart, and hostility will persist. But if you respond to him with good, he will repent and become your friend. Keep in mind that people all have diff erent characters and one bad character in a group does not mean that all the people of that group have a similar character. In other words, it would be wrong to generalize one person's mistake to the whole community. Similarly, one negati ve aspect of a person does not necessitate that the person is bad as whole.

Our world is becoming multi cultural, while the formerly mostly unilaterally decided national borders are losing their importance. Regional identity and languages are becoming more important in bringing people together. We may strive to promote and diff use our own culture, but not by not seeking to tear down and destroy that of the other. The inspiring role of the leaders of world religions, traditi ons, and other convictions is of prime importance in our effort to create a better world order in peace and justice.